The "World Government Summit 2026" kicks off today, Tuesday, in Dubai, under the theme "Shaping Future Governments." The summit focuses on developing government policies and enhancing international cooperation to address economic, social, and technological challenges. Continuing until February 5, it brings together prominent decision-makers and global leaders to discuss the future of government work and current global challenges.

The summit program features a wide range of sessions and dialogue forums addressing the future of government work, investment, public finance, and leadership. Experts and international leaders will participate, discussing ways to enhance government performance and achieve sustainable development.

The summit hosts more than 6,250 participants, including thought leaders and decision-makers, over 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, more than 500 ministers, representatives from over 150 governments, 87 Nobel laureates, and over 700 CEOs of global companies, alongside representatives from more than 80 international, regional, and academic organizations. It features more than 445 sessions with over 450 global figures, including presidents, ministers, and experts.

Economist Bilal Shuaib told Annahar that, "The World Government Summit confirms Dubai's position as a global hub for strategic dialogue among governments, international institutions, and major companies. It highlights the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in enhancing the effectiveness of government policies and in laying the foundations for future work worldwide."

Yesterday, the preliminary day of the summit featured a series of forums and meetings, most notably the tenth Public Finance Forum in Arab Countries, organized by the Arab Monetary Fund in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and the UAE Ministry of Finance. The forum brought together Arab finance ministers and global economic experts to focus on future financial policies, enhancing public spending efficiency, and the role of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in developing financial governance, while exploring ways to fund sustainable development and strengthen public-private sector cooperation. The preliminary day also hosted the Latin America and Caribbean Investment Forum, with participation from heads of state and government officials, alongside the Young Arab Leaders Forum and the Arab Youth Leaders Meeting, aiming to foster youth innovation and leadership and support investment in the future.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and summit president, said that the event represents "a unique platform for scientific solutions and innovative ideas, bringing together global leaders to shape a better future and strengthen international cooperation to confront challenges and transform them into sustainable opportunities."

According to Shuaib, hosting a summit of this magnitude provides an important opportunity for the UAE to strengthen its position as a global center for economic and political dialogue, helping attract foreign investment and expand economic partnerships worldwide.

He added, "This platform facilitates the exchange of best practices among Arab countries and enhances regional economic integration, supporting growth and encouraging innovation in public and technological policies across the Arab region."

The World Government Summit (Websites)

It is noteworthy that, at the World Government Summit 2025, Dubai and international institutions signed agreements to enhance food security and sustainability, including a memorandum of understanding with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop food systems and safety. The UAE also signed cooperation agreements with the Philippines to support water projects and environmental protection, alongside judicial agreements to strengthen legal cooperation between the two countries.

The summit also featured strategic partnerships with the Caribbean Community to promote sustainable development and facilitate the exchange of expertise. Additionally, investment agreements, along with measures to protect and encourage investment, were signed with Saudi Arabia, Eswatini, and Sri Lanka to strengthen the business environment and expand investment flows.