UAE Leadership Welcomes Global Participants to the World Governments Summit 2026
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have welcomed distinguished guests from around the world participating in the World Governments Summit 2026, which opens tomorrow in Dubai and runs for three days under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.”
The World Governments Summit 2026 brings together an exceptional global gathering, including more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, over 500 ministers, and representatives from more than 150 governments. The summit also hosts over 80 international and regional organisations, more than 700 CEOs of leading global corporations, and 87 scientists who are recipients of Nobel Prizes and other prestigious scientific awards. Total attendance is expected to exceed 6,250 participants.
Commitment to dialogue and cooperation
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed extended a warm welcome to world leaders, heads of government, thought leaders, and distinguished guests, emphasising that the World Governments Summit has become a vital global platform for coordinating international efforts and fostering constructive dialogue that translates into tangible outcomes for the benefit of humanity.
His Highness reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to building bridges of partnership and cooperation, serving as a hub for diplomatic engagement, and supporting global initiatives that promote peace, prosperity, and sustainable development while addressing the needs of people and communities worldwide.
He underscored the importance of international cooperation and collective action in confronting global challenges and seizing emerging opportunities, stressing that governments must work together to secure long-term stability and shared prosperity.
Inspiring hope amid global challenges
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the UAE’s pride in welcoming representatives from 150 governments, including heads of state and government, alongside global thinkers and decision-makers, to the World Governments Summit 2026. He noted that the summit seeks to inspire collective action and renewed hope at a time of profound global change.
He expressed confidence that the gathering of leaders, policymakers, and scientists would contribute to shaping a clear roadmap toward a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.
An unprecedented responsibility
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasised that the UAE believes those who lead change—rather than wait for it—are best positioned to shape the future. Anticipating and proactively steering future developments, he noted, is a strategic investment in sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
He added that governments today bear an unprecedented responsibility to design innovative systems capable of guiding societies through rapid global shifts and transformative economic, technological, and geopolitical changes.
Concluding his remarks, His Highness acknowledged the scale of challenges facing the world while reaffirming confidence in humanity’s resilience. He stressed that solidarity, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing remain the most powerful tools for progress, underscoring that true success must be inclusive and empower all segments of society.
Expanded and dynamic agenda
The World Governments Summit 2026 features an expanded agenda comprising more than 445 sessions, with participation from over 450 global leaders, ministers, experts, thinkers, and decision-makers.
The programme focuses on five key themes:
Global Governance and Effective Leadership
Societal Wellbeing and Capacity Building
Economic Prosperity and Strategic Investment
Urban Futures and Evolving Demographics
Future Realities and Emerging Frontiers
25 global forums and high-level meetings
This year’s summit includes 25 global forums addressing critical trends shaping the future of humanity, alongside more than 45 ministerial and high-level meetings. These include the Arab Finance Ministers Meeting, Arab Youth Ministers Meeting, World Councils Meeting for the Sustainable Development Goals, a ministerial meeting on the next generation of future governments, as well as forums on the future of retail, consumer experience, sport, and tourism.
The summit will also host specialised forums organised by international governments, including a high-level meeting by the Government of Uzbekistan, the New Ecuador Forum attended by the President of Ecuador, a bilateral dialogue on artificial intelligence involving Kazakhstan and South Korea, and the Kuwait–UAE Economic Forum.
Several strategic meetings organised by international institutions will take place during the summit, including the High-Level Investment Roundtable for Latin America and the Caribbean in collaboration with the IFC, the Arab Public Administration Forum, the 10th International Cooperation Conference (ACS) Roundtable, a closed IMF-led session on leveraging artificial intelligence and national preparedness, the Future of Aviation Roundtable with ICAO, the OECD–EU High-Level Dialogue, and the CLAD Governing Board High-Level Meeting.
In addition to these events, the summit will release 36 strategic reports in collaboration with international knowledge partners and launch the third edition of the Global Ministers Survey.
Global awards and recognition
Honours presented at the World Governments Summit 2026 include the Best Minister Award in partnership with PwC, the Most Reformed Government Global Award in collaboration with EY, the Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development in partnership with UN-Habitat and Dubai Municipality, and the Global Teacher Prize in collaboration with the Varkey Foundation.