World Governments Summit announces record leadership attendance

The upcoming World Governments Summit in Dubai is set to host the largest leadership gathering in its history.

Taking place from February 3 to 5 under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments', the event will bring together more than 35 heads of state and government, along with delegations from over 150 countries.

These leaders will join a total of more than 6,000 attendees, including prominent thought leaders and global experts.

Since its inception in 2013, the summit continues to serve as a leading international platform for turning public-private cooperation into real-world impact.

"Originally envisioned to enhance governance and anticipate global shifts, the event has evolved in response to growing global challenges," said  Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit Organisation.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit Dialogue, held today at the Museum of the Future in Dubai to address the key themes and latest additions to the summit, Al Gergawi added, "Launched in the UAE with a global reach, the World Governments Summit was guided by the leadership’s vision to become a global platform where practical solutions, new ideas and impactful partnerships take shape."

The World Governments Summit continues to play an essential role as a premier global platform for transforming public-private cooperation into tangible, real-world impact.

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Among heads of state attending the Summit are Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan; Guy Parmelin; President of Switzerland; Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador; Alar Karis, President of Estonia; Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia; Vjosa Osmani, President of Kosovo; and H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait.

Attending heads of government include Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain; Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia; RT. Hon. Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Vice President of Nepal; Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt; Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica; Edward David Burt, Premier of Bermuda; and Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini.

The UAE also hosts the World Laureates Summit this year alongside the World Government Summit.

Taking place on February 1 and 2 in collaboration with the World Laureates Association, this largest event of its kind will feature world leading laureates who won global accolades including Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, Fields Medal, Great Arab Minds and other major international scientific honours.

Notable attendees include Michael Levitt (2013 Nobel in Chemistry), Steven Chu (1997 Nobel in Physics), Kip Thorne (2017 Nobel in Physics), Yoshua Bengio (2018 Turing Award), and John Hopcroft (1986 Turing Award).

The 2026 Summit features an extensive agenda including 24 global forums, 35 ministerial and high-level meetings that will convene over 500 ministers.

Thirty-six strategic reports will be issued in collaboration with its international knowledge partners.

This year’s edition also will feature strategic dialogues on the future of vital sectors, such as governance, technology, aviation, logistics, tourism, global trade, and investment.