World Government Summit 2026 Opens in Dubai

On February 3, the World Government Summit 2026 was launched in Dubai as its biggest edition in 13 years welcoming more than 6,000 leaders representing 150+ countries. This is under the theme, Shaping Future Governments, and it brings together 35 heads of state, 500+ ministers, CEOs and experts to address global governance challenges.

What are Summit Dates and Where is the Venue?

The event will be held between February 3-5 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, the UAE and will include 320+ sessions, 24 global forums, 35 ministerial meetings, and 36 strategic reports by various partners such as UN-Habitat. 

It is arranged by the World Governments Summit group with Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi in the role of the chairperson, focusing on the cooperation between the government and business to produce sustainable change.

Theme: The Future of Governments

The main theme deals with the reconsideration of governance in the face of AI, climate change, human population, and geopolitics. 

The major pillars are Global Governance and Effective Leadership; Societal Wellbeing and Building Capacities; Economic Prosperity and Strategic Investments; Urban Future and Evolving Demographics; Future Realities and Emerging Frontiers to create resilient, future ready models.

Who are the Participants and Key Speakers?

It lists over 450 luminaries, one of which is the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the UAE, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, the WTO leader Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and tech powerhouse Palantir's Alexander Karp. 

Sessions are Arab Fiscal Forum, Youth Minister roundtable, and Global SDG Councils, with GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi noting the visionary role of UAE.

Agenda Highlights

Debates on next-gen governments, retail/sports/tourism futures, urban innovation, and AI ethics should be expected. Bilateral ties are promoted by high level forums such as Arab Youth Ministers and round tables of ministerial CEOs. 

Topics of policy innovations will be published at the summit, and the sessions moderated by India Today anchors on economic prosperity and urban futures.

India’s Participation in this Summit

Indian representatives, think leaders, and policymakers participate in SDGs, digital governance and Global South priorities. In the wake of previous versions, India boasts of achievements in UPI, digital public goods, and climate action, among discourses on how to maximize global summit ROI, as Davos.

Since 2013, the summit has influenced policies through 70 plus partners, which has impacted the UN agendas and created alliances. 

According to GCC leaders, it is applauded as having methods of sustainable solutions that improve life. Results may transform governance, hastening SDGs through polycrises.

Also read: India Overtakes Japan to Become the World’s Fourth Largest Economy