The World Governments Summit 2026 began its preliminary day in Dubai today, setting the stage for global dialogue ahead of the official summit running from 3 to 5 February under the theme Shaping Future Governments.
The opening day brought together heads of state and government, senior policymakers, international organisation leaders, futurists, and subject matter experts for a series of focused forums, ministerial meetings, and strategic roundtables. The agenda highlighted pressing economic, social, and technological priorities shaping governance worldwide.
Key forums held during the preliminary day included the Annual Arab Fiscal Forum, which examined regional financial sustainability, and the Young Arab Leaders Forum, aimed at empowering the next generation of decision-makers. Economic cooperation was also in focus through the UAE-Kuwait Economic Forum, alongside the High-Level Investment Forum dedicated to strengthening ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.
In parallel, several ministerial meetings and closed-door discussions addressed region-specific and global challenges. These included a ministerial roundtable with Arab youth ministers, a meeting of GCC labour ministers, and the Accelerating 5X AI Transformation Dialogue, which explored the role of artificial intelligence in government reform. A CEO Dialogue also convened public and private sector leaders to discuss collaboration and innovation.
The preliminary day underscored the summit’s role as a platform for policy alignment, cross-border cooperation, and future-focused governance, ahead of the main sessions set to begin tomorrow in Dubai.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
