In A First, Hyderabad To Host World Economic Forum’s Centre For Fourth Industrial Revolution

The announcement was made after the Telangana government and the World Economic Forum signed a collaboration agreement during the Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos on Monday.

The World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Telangana), which will be the only center in India thematically focused on healthcare and life sciences, will be established in Hyderabad.

The announcement was made after the Telangana government and the World Economic Forum signed a collaboration agreement during the Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos on Monday. 

The collaboration agreement was signed by WEF Managing Director Jeremy Jurgens and Telangana Life Sciences Foundation Chief Executive Officer Shakthi Nagappan in the presence of Telangana Industries and Commerce Minister K.T. Rama Rao and WEF President Borge Brende.

Minister KT Rama Rao said, "I am delighted that the World Economic Forum has chosen Hyderabad as its India hub for establishing a Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution focused on healthcare and life sciences today. I strongly believe that the Center is a testament to the strong life sciences prowess of Telangana and is yet another step by the government to elevate the life sciences ecosystem in Telangana and globally."

"India has a unique opportunity to spearhead healthcare and life sciences in South Asia.C4IR Telangana, with the support of the Forum’s global network of Fourth Industrial Revolution centres and the backing of the state and central governments in India, will be a key player in driving stakeholder engagement, building bridges between the public sector and SMEs, and supporting job creation in the healthcare sector," said Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum.

Telangana is recognised as one of Asia's top life sciences hubs. Telangana accounts for 1/3 of global vaccine output and is regarded as the vaccine capital of the world. Also, the state contributes to about 35% of India’s pharmaceutical production. 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Network, which covers four continents, now includes C4IR Telangana as its 18th centre. With the establishment of this center, Telangana will become an important node in the global network of 4IR centers, and will also help Telangana consolidate its leadership position globally.