World Governments Summit 2026: UAE Welcomes Global Leaders To Dubai For Shaping Future Governments

The UAE is preparing to host the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai, gathering senior leaders, ministers, experts and executives under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’. The event runs for three days and is expected to draw more than 6,250 participants, including over 60 heads of state and government, making it one of the largest global policy gatherings.

The summit will include delegations from more than 150 governments, over 500 ministers and more than 80 international and regional organisations and global institutions. Attendance will also feature over 700 chief executives from major international companies and 87 scientists, including Nobel Prize recipients and winners of other leading scientific awards, reflecting broad representation from government, business and academia.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, welcomed the summit guests on behalf of the UAE. The leaders greeted visiting heads of state, government chiefs, ministers and thought leaders, underlining the country’s intention to provide a platform for open, constructive dialogue on future governance.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stated that the World Governments Summit has evolved into an important global meeting place for coordinating efforts between governments. The President described the gathering as a space where discussions aim to move beyond statements towards practical collaboration, with the purpose of delivering benefits to people and communities in every region.

The President also reaffirmed that the UAE remains committed to building partnerships and cooperation at the international level. The UAE seeks to act as a facilitator of diplomatic dialogue and to back multilateral initiatives that support peace, stability and prosperity. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that shared challenges and opportunities require collective action if governments are to protect long-term stability and wellbeing.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the UAE is honoured to receive participants from 150 governments at the World Governments Summit 2026, including heads of state, senior officials and global thinkers. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted that the objective is to encourage joint action that can "inspire renewed hope amid profound global challenges" and help design a more just future.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added that the UAE believes those who actively lead change are best positioned to shape what comes next. According to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, anticipating developments and guiding them is an investment in sustainable progress, and governments now face an unprecedented duty to create innovative systems that can steer societies through major shifts.

In further remarks, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid acknowledged mounting geopolitical, economic and technological pressures around the world, yet expressed confidence that human determination remains stronger. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid underlined that solidarity, convergence and knowledge-sharing represent essential strengths for societies, and stressed that genuine success is inclusive and must "empower everyone".

This year’s World Governments Summit 2026 presents an expanded agenda with more than 445 sessions. Over 450 personalities are scheduled to contribute, including presidents, prime ministers, ministers, international experts, researchers, thinkers and senior decision-makers. Discussions will centre on how governments can respond to new technologies, economic shifts and demographic changes while improving people’s quality of life.

The agenda is organised around five central themes: Global Governance and Effective Leadership; Societal Wellbeing and Building Capacities; Economic Prosperity and Strategic Investments; Urban Future and Evolving Demographics; and Future Realities and Emerging Frontiers. These themes are designed to cover institutional performance, social development, economic growth, urban planning and technology, with emphasis on how each area influences public policy.

Across the World Governments Summit 2026, there will be 25 global forums exploring prominent trends in sectors linked to humanity’s future, alongside more than 45 ministerial and high-level meetings. Planned sessions include the Arab Finance Ministers Meeting, the Arab Youth Ministers Meeting, the World Councils Meeting for Sustainable Development Goals, and a ministerial meeting focused on the next generation of future governments.

Additional discussions at the World Governments Summit 2026 will look at the future of retail and consumer experience, the future of sport and the future of tourism. Specialised forums hosted by individual governments are also scheduled, including a high-level meeting organised by the Government of Uzbekistan, the New Ecuador Forum attended by the President of Ecuador, and a Kuwait-UAE Economic Forum.

The World Governments Summit 2026 programme features a bilateral dialogue on artificial intelligence with Kazakhstan and South Korea, reflecting interest in responsible technology deployment. International organisations will hold several strategic meetings, such as the Investment Roundtable for Latin America & the Caribbean with IFC, the Arab Public Administration Forum and the 10th International Cooperation Conference (ACS) Roundtable.

Other engagements at the World Governments Summit 2026 include a closed session on Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Enhancing Countries’ Preparedness with the IMF, the Future of Aviation Roundtable with ICAO, an OECD-EU High Level Dialogue and a high-level meeting of the Latin American Center for Development Administration (CLAD) Governing Board. These events aim to align regional and global policy discussions.

During the World Governments Summit 2026, organisers will release 36 strategic reports prepared with international knowledge partners, covering priority topics across governance, economics and technology. The summit will also launch the third edition of the Global Ministers Survey, which gathers views from serving ministers on emerging trends, policy tools and institutional capabilities within their respective governments.

Recognition programmes at the World Governments Summit 2026 include the Best Minister Award, in partnership with PwC, and the Most Reformed Government Global Award, in collaboration with EY. Additional honours comprise the Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development, held with UN-Habitat and Dubai Municipality, and the Global Teacher Prize, organised alongside the Varkey Foundation.

By uniting political leaders, policy specialists, business executives and researchers, the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai is structured to examine how institutions can respond to complex global pressures while improving outcomes for societies. Through its diverse agenda, forums, reports and awards, the summit is intended to support dialogue on future-ready governance and inclusive development.

With inputs from WAM