Dubai: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, have welcomed global leaders and dignitaries participating in the World Governments Summit 2026, which begins on Tuesday in Dubai and runs for three days under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.”
The summit brings together more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, over 500 ministers, and representatives from more than 150 governments. It also includes more than 80 international and regional organisations, over 700 chief executives from leading global companies, and 87 scientists who are recipients of Nobel Prizes and other major scientific awards. Total participation is expected to exceed 6,250 attendees.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed extended a warm welcome to world leaders, heads of government, policymakers and thought leaders, noting that the summit has grown into a key global platform for coordination and constructive dialogue that leads to practical outcomes for societies worldwide.
He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building partnerships, facilitating diplomatic dialogue, and supporting international efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and prosperity. He stressed the importance of cooperation and collective action in addressing global challenges and seizing emerging opportunities, calling on governments to work together to ensure long-term global stability and shared prosperity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE is honoured to welcome representatives from 150 governments, including heads of state, ministers, scientists and global thinkers, to the summit. He noted that the gathering aims to inspire collective action and renewed hope at a time of significant global challenges.
He added that nations which lead change, rather than wait for it, are best positioned to shape the future, describing proactive governance as an investment in sustainable development. Governments today, he said, carry a growing responsibility to design innovative systems capable of guiding societies through rapid geopolitical, economic and technological transformation.
Sheikh Mohammed concluded by highlighting the scale of current global challenges while expressing confidence in humanity’s ability to overcome them through unity, cooperation and knowledge-sharing. True success, he said, is inclusive and empowers all communities.
This year’s World Governments Summit features an expanded agenda of more than 445 sessions, with over 450 speakers including heads of state, ministers, experts and decision-makers. Discussions are structured around five key themes: global governance and effective leadership; societal wellbeing and capacity building; economic prosperity and strategic investment; urban futures and demographic change; and emerging frontiers and future realities.
The summit will host 25 global forums and more than 45 ministerial and high-level meetings, alongside specialised dialogues organised with international governments and institutions. It will also release 36 strategic reports in partnership with global knowledge organisations and launch the third edition of the Global Ministers Survey.
Several international awards will be presented during the summit, recognising excellence in governance, public sector reform, sustainable development, education and leadership.
