The 12th edition of the World Governments Summit (WGS) will take place in Dubai from February 11 to 13, 2025, under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’. Record international participation, the largest in WGS history, is expected this year.
“The World Governments Summit has achieved its prominent status through a unique and forward-thinking vision. This vision prioritizes proactive future planning as the foundation of effective governance, focusing on empowering individuals and developing thriving communities. It champions international partnerships and collaboration as the most effective way to achieve common goals and ensure prosperity for all,” stated Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Governments Summit Organization, at a dialogue, held today at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
World Governments Summit to host over 6,000 participants
The World Governments Summit is setting record-breaking participation in its latest edition, both in terms of scale and diversity. Attendance has increased by over 50 percent compared to last year, representing the largest gathering in the summit’s history, with delegates from every continent and a wide range of sectors. The summit aims to be a unifying platform for governments worldwide, fostering economic, social and governmental progress towards equitable development for all.
Al Gergawi announced that this year’s World Governments Summit will host over 30 heads of state and government, more than 80 international organizations, 140 government delegations, and over 6,000 participants, including leading global experts.
The expanded agenda features 21 global forums exploring future trends across more than 200 interactive sessions, addressed by over 300 prominent figures. In addition, over 30 ministerial meetings and roundtables will convene 400+ ministers, culminating in the release of 30 strategic reports developed with the summit’s international knowledge partners.
Gergawi stated that under the vision and guidance of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the World Governments Summit has, over the past 12 years, become the world’s largest and most influential forum for governments.
It is a highly anticipated annual gathering where global leaders convene to discuss, strategize, and shape the future, driving transformative change for the sustainable progress and prosperity of their societies.
Prominent world leaders participating
Al Gergawi also announced the participation of several world leaders at the World Governments Summit 2025, including Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, President of the Republic of Colombia, Bernardo Arévalo, President of the Republic of Guatemala, and Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.
Key participants will also include:
- Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
- Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
- Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya
- Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya
- Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia
- Mohammad Younus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The World Governments Summit 2025 will also feature dialogues with heads of international organizations, including Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union; Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States; Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary-General of OPEC; and Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The summit will also welcome leaders from key global sectors, including prominent figures from the artificial intelligence, energy, transportation, tourism, finance and media industries. Participants include Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google; Joseph Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group; Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard; Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones; Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca; David Baszucki, Co-founder and CEO of Roblox; and Larry Ellison, Co-founder, Chairman, and CTO of Oracle, among others.
6 themes and 21 forums
The World Governments Summit’s latest edition focuses on six key themes: Effective Governance and Accountability; Financing the Future and the Global Economy; Climate, Crisis Mitigation, and Resilient Cities; Human-centric Futures and Capacity Building; Global Health Transformations; and Emerging Frontiers and the Future.
The agenda features 21 forums covering these themes, bringing together ministers, government officials and sector leaders. These forums include:
- Future of Mobility Forum
- Artificial Intelligence Forum
- Government Services Forum
- Future of Education Forum
- Government Experience Exchange Forum
- Future of Work Forum
- Emerging Economies Forum
- SDGs in Action Forum
- Arab Public Administration Forum
- Zero Bureaucracy Forum
The pre-summit day will also feature the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders and the Arab Fiscal Forum.
Several ministerial meetings and high-level gatherings will also take place during the summit, including the Arab Government Administration Forum Ministerial Meeting, the Arab Youth Ministers Meeting, the GCC Labour Ministers Meeting, a high-level meeting between Latin American and MENA countries on future investment, ministerial meetings on digital justice and COP29, the ICAO Council meeting, and the Latin American Administrative Development Organization Council meeting.
Moreover, numerous roundtable discussions will address topics such as AI, development cooperation, emerging economies, government communication, family businesses and tourism.
TIME100’s most influential people to gather
The World Governments Summit will also host the annual gathering of TIME100’s most influential people in AI. Through this comprehensive agenda of forums, meetings and discussions, the summit aims to provide a roadmap for governments to navigate rapid transformations, anticipate future opportunities and challenges, and foster international partnerships for sustainable development and prosperity.
In its latest edition, the World Governments Summit provides a clear roadmap for governments to navigate the rapid transformations occurring across key sectors. Through a comprehensive agenda that anticipates future opportunities and key challenges, the summit also facilitates extensive dialogue to develop innovative solutions and best practices. This exchange of knowledge and expertise fosters international partnerships to maximize opportunities for sustainable development and societal prosperity.
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30 strategic reports across various sectors to be released
Further solidifying its global influence, the World Governments Summit will launch 30 strategic reports across various sectors. These reports, developed in collaboration with leading think tanks and research institutions, will offer key indicators, models and innovative solutions to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, enhance government preparedness and resilience and foster greater international cooperation.
The summit will also present several prestigious global awards recognizing exceptional contributions to building a better future. These include the Best Minister in the World Award, in partnership with PwC, the Creative Government Innovations Award, the Global Award for Best Government Applications, the Global Government Excellence Award, and the Best Teacher in the World Award, in partnership with the Varkey Foundation.
Finally, the summit will launch the Global Ministers Survey, inviting ministers worldwide to share their insights on critical global issues and contribute to collaborative solutions.
