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World Governments Summit
World Governments Summit
World Governments Summit
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The World Governments Summit is an annual event since 2013, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] It brings together leaders in government for a global dialogue with a focus on issues of futurism, technology and innovation. The summit acts as a knowledge exchange hub between government officials, thought leaders, policy makers and private sector leaders to discuss future trends, issues and opportunities facing humanity.[2] The summit has typically hosted approximately 90 speakers from 150 participating countries,[3] along with some 4000 attendees.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The World Governments Summit was formed in 2013[4] by a team of experts from different disciplines[according to whom?] to bring government, business and civil society together with the goal of improving the future for the seven billion people on the planet.[5][6] The chairman of the World Governments Summit is Mohammad Al Gergawi[7] with Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi and Omar Al Olama serving as Vice Chairs of the organization.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid and Mohammad Al Gergawi during World Governments Summit

In 2015, under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai) and Mohammad Al Gergawi (chairman of the summit's organizing committee and minister of the UAE Cabinet Affairs & The Future) announced ten key changes to take the summit to a new global level. The changes included changing the summit's name from Government Summit to World Governments Summit, changing the entity structure and adopting the goal of providing integrated knowledge services for over 150 governments and global organizations.[citation needed]

In 2016, the World Governments Summit Organization adopted a new year-round[clarification needed] membership system.[8] Members have exclusive invitations to attend the summit, communicate directly with its top speakers and attendees, receive reports issued by the summit ahead of general public, gain exclusive access to private functions held on the sidelines of events, and have access to training workshops and executive education programs hosted by the summit in collaboration with global experts.[citation needed]

As of 2018, reports for the public about issues explored at the summits were typically issued by Summit members and contributors,[9] on the World Governments Summit website,[10] and many conferences speeches were available on the Youtube Channel for the World Governments Summit.

Themes

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The first World Governments Summit was held in Dubai in 2013, and has been held annually since then. In 2013, themes included building citizen trust in governmental entities, social media as a tool for civic engagement, private-public sector partnerships, and measuring development.[4]

A conversation between Mohammad Al Gergawi and Klaus Schwab during World Governments Summit

In 2014, themes included partnerships and innovation in government service delivery,[11] government smart toolboxes (using information technology for citizen engagement, anti-corruption efforts and helping citizens affected by conflict)[12] and digital government.[13]

In 2015, themes included smart cities,[14] innovation,[15] and better jobs.[16]

In 2016, themes included the Sustainable Development Goals,[17] the state of sustainability,[18] and advanced science and the future of government (robotics and artificial intelligence, genomic medicine and biometrics).[19] In 2016, the summit included an inaugural Best Minister in the World award [20] which was awarded to Greg Hunt, at that time Australian Minister of Federal Environment, later appointed as Australian Minister of Health.[21]

In 2017, the summit focused on four main themes: 1) climate change & food security, 2) citizen well-being & happiness, 3) government agility and geopolitics & humanitarian aid, with the goal of focusing on fundamental questions that aim to pave the way for that future across the globe. The summit was held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, and included participation of seven international organizations as strategic partners, including the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, UNESCO, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Economic Forum.[22]

In 2018, the themes included artificial intelligence and happiness.

In 2023, the summit was held under the theme of “Shaping Future Governments”. It brought together 20 heads of state and government, 250 ministers, along with the participation of 10,000 private sector leaders, global experts, and thought leaders to tackle future opportunities, trends, and challenges. [23]

In 2026, The World Governments Summit 2026 took place from 3 to 5 February, with preparatory events on 1 to 2 February. The summit adopted the theme “Shaping Future Governments” and recorded its largest participation to date, with more than 35 heads of state, representatives from over 150 governments, and 400 speakers.[24][25][26] During the opening session, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at the World Governments Summit plans to prohibit users under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms.[27]

Speakers

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World Government Summit speakers have included:[28][29]

Mohammad Al Gergawi delivering the opening address, WGS 2018
Mohammad Al Gergawi and Elon Musk session

Forums and Events

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Museum of the Future

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The Museum of the Future,[53] is one of the exhibitions within the World Government Summit. The Museum of the Future features exhibitions exploring the future of science, technology and innovation. In 2016, the Museum of the Future's displays included an installment about a trip to the year 2035 where it showcased how technology could evolve and be used to manage complex social end economic systems.[54] In 2017, the museum included a display with an air taxi, 3-D printed seeds and food, and an announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to colonize Mars by 2117.[55] In 2018, Dubai 10x 2.0 was featured, with expositions about plans to integrate A.I. into many aspects of government and rapidly develop Dubai's governmental and private sector services.[56]

Global Dialogue for Happiness

[edit]

In 2017, the World Government Summit held the first Global Dialogue for Happiness,[57] a one-day event prior to the summit.[58] It was convened by the UAE Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing, Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi.[59] Speakers at the first summit included editors of the World Happiness Report, Jeffrey Sachs, John F. Helliwell, and Richard Layard, positive psychologists Edward Diener, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Martin Seligman, and policy makers including the Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, Head of the UN Development Programme Helen Clark, Bhutanese Gross National Happiness official Karma Ura.[60] It was an invitation-only event for approximately 200 people. The event was expanded to approximately 600 people in 2018. The first Global Happiness Policy Report[61] was issued by the World Happiness Council, a council conceived of by the Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing under the umbrella of the Global Dialogue for Happiness. In 2018, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum convened six nations, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Portugal, Slovenia, Mexico, and Kazakhstan to establish the Global Happiness Coalition, an agreement to cooperate on an international level to bring happiness to the forefront for government.[62][63]

Global Artificial Intelligence Forum

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In 2018, the first Global Artificial Intelligence Forum was convened.[64] The forum brought together approximately 100 people, including representatives of the OECD, IEEE,[65] U.N., and the private sector.[66] Discussion topics included a Global Strategy for the Governance for A.I., which will include policy recommendations.[67] The AI Initiative which is part of The Future Society was contracted to steward the forum.[68] The goal of the first forum was to identify guidelines for the global governance of Artificial Intelligence.

Awards

[edit]
  • The Best Minister Award commends the extraordinary work of government ministers at demonstrating excellence in the public sector;
  • Global Universities Challenge the Challenge brings together over 100 students from renowned universities across the globe and engages them in an innovative competition to improve the way governments work.
  • GovTech Prize. As part of the World Government Summit, the United Arab Emirates runs the “GovTech Prize”, an annual global award that is designed to motivate world government entities, startups to create and innovate GovTech solutions that help contribute to solving common global pressing challenges.
  • Edge of Government innovation experience challenges visitors to think in new and often counter-intuitive ways about how to solve the most pressing public challenges of our time.
  • World Data Visualization Prize. Introduced in 2019 edition, the prize focuses on how governments are improving citizens’ lives, and the innovations - seen and unseen - that drive and measure success in this realm.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

World Governments Summit

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from Grokipedia
The World Governments Summit is an annual international conference established in 2013 in , United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of His Highness , Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to facilitate global knowledge exchange on governance innovation. It convenes government officials, , thought leaders, and executives to explore collaborative solutions for pressing global challenges, with a distinctive emphasis on , , and actionable policy frameworks. Over the years, the summit has expanded beyond its flagship annual event to incorporate year-round initiatives, including membership programs and specialized forums, enhancing ongoing dialogue and implementation of discussed ideas. The 2025 edition, themed 'Shaping Future Governments', focused on areas such as , economic financing, , and human-centric futures, drawing participants to identify forward-looking strategies. The next summit is set for 3–5 February 2026 in , continuing its role as a pivotal platform for redefining paradigms.

History

Establishment

The World Governments Summit was established in 2013 in , United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of , Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, along with a team of experts aimed at fostering collaboration among governments, business leaders, and to address global challenges and improve outcomes for populations worldwide. The inaugural event in 2013 focused on key areas such as building citizen trust in government entities, with discussions emphasizing practical strategies for enhancing public confidence through transparent governance practices. It also explored the role of social media in government engagement, for service delivery, and metrics for measuring development progress, positioning the summit as a platform for actionable insights into future governance. Headquartered in , the summit operates as a neutral, dedicated to social and economic advancement through and policy innovation.

Evolution and Milestones

In its early development, the summit transitioned from being known as the Government Summit to the World Governments Summit, expanding its scope to emphasize global collaboration. In 2016, the organization introduced a year-round membership system, providing exclusive benefits such as invitations to ongoing events and fostering sustained engagement beyond the annual gathering. By 2017, participation had grown substantially. From 2018 onward, detailed proceedings reports became publicly accessible, offering in-depth summaries of sessions and key insights to broader audiences. The event continued to scale, with the 2025 edition achieving record participation—an increase of over 50% from the prior year—drawing nearly 700 public and private sector leaders, more than 30 , and delegations from 140 countries.

Objectives and Themes

Core Objectives

The World Governments Summit functions as a platform dedicated to exploring the agenda for next-generation governments by harnessing innovation and technology to address universal challenges in . It convenes policymakers, business leaders, and to foster dialogue on futurism and practical solutions, emphasizing collaborative approaches to enhance governmental effectiveness. At its core, the summit promotes to drive forward-thinking policies that prioritize and . This includes integrating advanced technologies and innovative practices to build resilient systems capable of responding to evolving societal needs. The long-term objectives center on leveraging collective innovation to tackle pressing issues such as and societal well-being, positioning governments to proactively shape equitable futures through shared knowledge and . By facilitating cross-sector collaboration, the summit aims to catalyze actionable outcomes that transcend national boundaries and promote global progress.

Annual Themes

The annual themes of the World Governments Summit have progressively emphasized , innovation, and adaptive governance in response to global shifts. In 2016, the summit centered on the theme "Shaping Future Governments," exploring how governments could integrate technological progress with cultural and historical foundations. By 2017, themes expanded to include in policy-making and , reflecting a growing emphasis on and amid rapid societal changes. The overarching theme "Shaping Future Governments" has been used since 2016, underscoring the need for proactive strategies in areas like , economic transformation, and , with this focus continuing through the 2024, 2025, and 2026 editions. This evolution highlights an ongoing emphasis on forward-oriented frameworks addressing AI frontiers, , and resilient policy architectures.

Organization and Format

Hosting and Structure

The World Governments Summit is hosted annually in , , typically during the month of February. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 3–5 February. Structured as a multi-day conference, the summit features high-level dialogues, , interactive sessions, , roundtables, and exhibitions facilitated through partnerships. It convenes hundreds of public and private sector leaders and experts to engage in these formats, fostering on challenges. The event is organized by the World Governments Summit Organization, a global neutral non-profit entity with ties to leadership, operating independently as a non-governmental platform.

Key Events and Forums

The World Governments Summit features specialized forums and exhibitions that delve into targeted aspects of governance innovation, often held alongside the main sessions to foster deeper discussions and practical demonstrations. These events include immersive experiences and dialogues aimed at addressing specific global challenges through collaborative frameworks. A prominent fixture is the integration of the , which hosts exhibitions showcasing such as artificial intelligence applications and visionary concepts like . These displays provide attendees with interactive encounters of futurist technologies. The Global Dialogue for Happiness, launched in 2017, convenes experts to explore well-being metrics and policy integrations, resulting in initiatives like international coalitions for happiness-driven governance. Held annually as part of the Summit, it emphasizes scientific frameworks for measuring and enhancing societal happiness through . The Global Artificial Intelligence Forum, introduced in 2018, focuses on strategies for AI governance, including ethical deployment and regulatory models to balance innovation with risk mitigation in public sectors. Organized under UAE leadership, it has evolved into a recurring platform for harmonizing AI policies across nations. Post-2023, the Summit has expanded its forum offerings, with the 2025 edition incorporating 22 dedicated global forums on transformative trends, enabling more granular progress in sustainable development areas. This growth reflects a shift toward year-round, topic-specific engagements beyond the annual event.

Participants

Government Leaders

The World Governments Summit attracts significant participation from high-level government officials, including heads of state and ministers who engage in strategic discussions to address global governance issues. In 2023, the event gathered 20 heads of state and government alongside 250 ministers. Attendance escalated for the 2025 edition, featuring more than 30 heads of state and over 400 ministers from delegations across 140 countries. These leaders contribute to policy dialogues through , roundtables, and collaborative sessions focused on enhancing government performance amid rapid transformations in and economy. Over 30 such ministerial engagements in 2025 facilitated the development and release of strategic reports on shared governmental strategies. leadership, including and , routinely opens the summit, setting the tone for international cooperation. International heads of state from diverse regions participate actively, underscoring the event's role as a platform for cross-border policy alignment.

Experts and Private Sector

leaders and experts form a cornerstone of the World Governments Summit, contributing diverse perspectives on and . Thousands of industry executives and thought leaders participate annually, engaging in dialogues that bridge with . For instance, recent editions have drawn over 4,000 participants from the public and private sectors to collaborative sessions. Prominent speakers such as entrepreneur Richard Branson and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have shared insights on pressing issues like artificial intelligence and climate action, emphasizing practical applications for future-oriented strategies. These contributions highlight the summit's role in integrating private expertise to address global challenges through innovative lenses. Experts actively shape discussions via panels focused on , economic resilience, and , where they explore trends in and . This involvement underscores the platform's emphasis on cross-sector knowledge exchange to inform policy and business decisions.

Initiatives and Impact

Awards and Recognitions

The World Governments Summit administers several awards to recognize excellence in leadership and governance innovation. The Best Minister Award honors ministers who implement successful, scalable initiatives that demonstrate outstanding performance and inspire fellow leaders. The GovTech Prize acknowledges technological advancements in government services, evaluating entries across categories such as Best Human-Centric Government Service and Best Use of Generative AI in Government Services. Since 2019, the Edge of Government has served as a platform for showcasing experimental, boundary-pushing solutions to global challenges, spotlighting visionary innovators in governance. The summit also presents the Global Universities Challenge to foster academic ideas shaping future governments and the World Data Visualization Prize to highlight effective data representations for policy insights.

Global Influence and Outcomes

The World Governments Summit has produced numerous reports and policy recommendations that shape discussions, including strategies for AI integration in public sectors. For instance, its "AI: A Roadmap for Governments" outlines transformative applications across sectors and advocates for holistic frameworks to address ethical and operational challenges. These publications, accessible via the Summit's Observer platform, emphasize to inform policymakers on and collaborative governance models. The Summit's outputs have influenced initiatives aligned with , particularly in urban development, by promoting enhanced cybersecurity for smart cities to mitigate risks and support resilient infrastructure. Reports like "Government in 2071" inspire long-term policy shifts to prepare for societal transformations, fostering international cooperation on and innovation. In the context of SDGs, Summit dialogues highlight cities as pivotal arenas for achieving ecological and social targets, influencing multidimensional development approaches. At the 2025 edition, outcomes focused on rebuilding institutional trust through agile governance and addressing economic financing amid fiscal pressures, as detailed in collaborative reports urging efficiency reforms and technological adaptation. These discussions yielded recommendations for and , aiming to translate high-level insights into actionable global strategies despite challenges in measuring immediate implementation.

References

  1. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/about
  2. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/
  3. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/events/summits/2025
  4. https://sdg.iisd.org/events/world-governments-summit-2025/
  5. https://unhabitat.org/events/world-governments-summit-0
  6. https://live.worldgovernmentsummit.org/observer/reports/2013/detail/building-citizen-trust-in-government-entities
  7. https://live.worldgovernmentsummit.org/press/news/world-government-summit-adopts-exclusive-membership-system-in-the-run-up-to-its-fifth-edition
  8. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/observer/publications/detail/world-government-summit-proceeding-report_2018
  9. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/more-than-30-heads-of-state-to-gather-in-dubai-as-world-governments-summit-2025-expects-record-participation
  10. https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhxmsxo-world-governments-summit-reveals-record
  11. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/al-gergawi-mohammed-bin-rashid-believes-that-shaping-future-governments-is-essential-rather-than-complementary-for-all-governments
  12. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/observer/reports/detail/wgs-annual-meeting-2017
  13. https://live.worldgovernmentsummit.org/press/releases/wgs-2024--uniting-the-world--shaping-tomorrows-governments
  14. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/events/2026
  15. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/events/forums
  16. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/about/experiences
  17. https://ccare.stanford.edu/events/world-government-summit-global-dialogue-on-happiness/
  18. https://diopd.org/global-dialogue-for-happiness-world-government-summit/
  19. https://thefuturesociety.org/global-governance-of-ai-forum-ggaf/
  20. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/world-governments-summit-2025-unveils-expanded-agenda-designed-to-empower-governments-to-navigate-rapid-transformations
  21. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/events/summits/2023
  22. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/world-governments-summit-2025-to-bring-more-than-30-presidents-and-400-ministers-to-dubai
  23. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/world-governments-summit-reveals-record-international-participation
  24. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/80-international--regional-organisations
  25. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/15/richard-branson-oppenheimer-grandson-urge-action-on-ai-climate.html
  26. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/about/awards/best-minister-award
  27. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/about/awards/govtech-prize
  28. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/about/awards/edge-of-government
  29. https://live.worldgovernmentsummit.org/awards
  30. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/observer/reports/detail/ai-a-roadmap-for-governments
  31. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/observer
  32. https://www.worldgovernmentssummit.org/media-hub/news/detail/world-government-summit-report-suggests-enhancing-smart-cities-services-cybersecurity-capabilities
  33. https://gov2071.worldgovernmentsummit.org/
  34. https://www.undp.org/arab-states/speeches/world-government-summit-speech-new-face-cities-and-multi-dimensional-development
  35. https://www.wam.ae/en/article/15paonl-world-governments-summit-fti-consulting-launch
  36. https://www.kearney.com/service/national-transformations-institute/article/world-governments-summit-2025
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