Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Vice Chair of the World Governments Summit (WGS), said the Summit's global standing rests as much on its community of partners and supporters as on the ideas it champions.
Al Olama spoke at the World Governments Summit Partners Gathering 2026, organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation. More than 100 CEOs and senior leaders attended, representing partners, knowledge members, contributors and media partners, alongside the Summit's leadership and team.
He described the community as an active ecosystem that strengthens the Summit's ability to convene global dialogue on the future of governments. The retreat, he said, reflects an approach built on lasting relationships that enable sustained cooperation, new partnerships and joint initiatives, and that turn dialogue into action and impact.
The programme featured two main sessions with three speakers, looking at the Summit's journey and the wider developments shaping institutional decision-making.
The first was an interactive conversation with Al Olama, moderated by Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi. It offered a behind-the-scenes view of the Summit, covering defining moments, unexpected encounters and leadership lessons, along with personal stories from the people and decisions behind the platform.
The second session, titled "A Brief History of the Middle East," was led by Dr. Roy Casagranda, author and Professor of Political Science. He traced the region's history from ancient empires and the emergence of major religions to the Islamic Golden Age and modern geopolitical change. He also explained how those developments continue to influence global politics, culture and economics, and why understanding them matters for appreciating the region's place in the world.
Held annually ahead of the Summit, the Partners Retreat brings together partners, members, media partners and knowledge contributors. It offers an interactive platform for continued dialogue on partnership opportunities and the role of collaboration in shaping the future.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
