Future-Ready Governments: Deloitte's Insights For WGS 2026 On Infrastructure, AI And Smart Cities

Deloitte is acting as Knowledge Partner for the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai, held from Feb. 3-5 under the theme "Shaping Future Governments." The firm is providing research-based insights for global public-sector leaders, with a focus on how technology, policy and governance can support long-term stability and inclusive growth.

The Summit gathers senior officials, corporate leaders and global institutions to debate future governance. More than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies are attending, alongside over 500 ministers and representatives from more than 150 governments. The programme also includes more than 80 international and regional organisations and over 700 CEOs.

As Knowledge Partner to the World Governments Summit 2026, Deloitte is centring its contributions on four policy pillars: national infrastructure and credible deterrence, AI-driven trade models for emerging economies, smart and sustainable cities, and AI-powered health nations. These themes are shaping government priorities as countries balance security, economic resilience and social well-being.

The research explores how states can build resilient infrastructure, diversify economic activity, and modernise cities while protecting the environment. Deloitte is also examining intelligent health systems that use data and AI to support population health, alongside new trade architectures that rely on AI to link emerging markets more efficiently with global value chains.

Deloitte has worked with the World Governments Summit for more than a decade, providing analysis on digital government, future cities, economic strategy, data sovereignty, cloud adoption and AI governance. This sustained role has helped shape the event as a key venue where public-sector leaders discuss institutional reform and technology adoption.

Commenting on Deloitte’s contribution, Mutasem Dajani, CEO of Deloitte Middle East, said: "We are honored to continue our longstanding partnership with the World Governments Summit as Knowledge Partner for 2026. Each year, the event provides a unique platform to explore how governments can anticipate future risks, design adaptive regulatory frameworks, and build institutional capability to thrive in a digital-first world. Through our partnership, Deloitte is contributing research-driven perspectives on how technology, integration and system-level thinking can support more sustainable, inclusive and future-ready societies. Our focus is on enabling informed dialogue and practical insight at a time of rapid global transformation."

Muhannad Tayem, Government and Public Services Leader at Deloitte Middle East, added: "For 12 years, Deloitte has supported WGS in advancing global dialogue on how governments can prepare for the future, through innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and deep industry expertise. This year’s theme, Shaping Future Governments, aligns strongly with our work across the region as we help nations build resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities, future-ready economies, and AI-powered health systems. We look forward to contributing insights that empower public-sector leaders to navigate complexity and deliver lasting impact."

Across the Middle East, Deloitte continues to advise government entities on national visions, digital transformation roadmaps, infrastructure programmes and large-scale public-sector initiatives. Its designation as Knowledge Partner for the World Governments Summit 2026 highlights a wider commitment to support regional policy goals through analytics, sector knowledge and international practice, as governments respond to geopolitical change and rising expectations from citizens.

With total attendance at the World Governments Summit 2026 expected to exceed 6,250 participants, Deloitte’s research aims to inform debate on credible deterrence, diversified economies, sustainable urban development and data-driven health systems. The partnership positions regional leaders to draw on comparative global experience while tailoring solutions to local needs across Middle Eastern markets.

With inputs from WAM