Dubai once again proved its status as an epicenter of global governance and policymaking as it hosted the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 from February 11 to 13 under the theme, “Shaping Future Governments”.
Global community of leaders
This year’s WGS attracted record-breaking attendance, convening over 30 heads of state and government, more than 80 international organizations, 140 government delegations, and over 6,000 attendees.
“The World Governments Summit offers a global platform for dialogue and the exchange of visions and ideas, at a time when societies are in pressing need of concerted and joint cooperative efforts to confront challenges that cannot be addressed individually,” UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said as he welcomed international guests.
“The world is interconnected, and current global transformations will impact us all. The potential for opportunities is great, and our collective strength lies in our unity, our shared vision, and joint efforts to achieve sustainable and equal development for all,” he added.
Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, noted the importance of WGS as a global platform: “The growing international participation in the World Governments Summit cements its position as the premier global forum for governments at a crucial time of transformative and historical change.”
“The changes we are witnessing are different, rapid, and comprehensive. Governments need to be increasingly prepared, proactive, and adaptive. The World Governments Summit therefore provides a unified and unique platform for global dialogue, enabling governments to chart a roadmap for progress, prosperity, and inclusive development, keeping pace with current global changes,” he further remarked.
Among the notable attendees were Prabowo Subianto, president of the Republic of Indonesia; Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, prime minister of the State of Kuwait; Shehbaz Sharif, prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Mohammad Younus, chief advisor of the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund; Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the League of Arab States; Haitham Al Ghais, secretary-general of OPEC; Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google; Joseph Tsai, chairman of Alibaba Group; and Larry Ellison, co-founder, chairman, and CTO of Oracle.
Read: Next edition of World Government Summit set for February 3-5, 2026
Strategic dialogues and discussions
At the heart of WGS 2025 were discussions that tackled some of the world’s most pressing issues. This year’s installment had six core themes: Effective Governance and Accountability, Financing the Future and the Global Economy, Climate Crisis Mitigation, Human-centric Futures, Global Health Transformations, and Emerging Frontiers.
Throughout the three-day event, WGS hosted 21 global forums, more than 200 interactive sessions, and over 30 ministerial meetings. The agenda included the Future of Work Forum, Government Experience Exchange Forum, Government Services Forum, Future of Government Communication Forum, Artificial Intelligence Forum, Future of Education Forum, Future of Mobility Forum, and Gender Balance Forum.
In addition, the Climate Change Forum served as a collaborative platform that brought together scientists, policymakers, innovators, and specialists to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change. The fifth edition of the Global Health Forum, held in partnership with the World Health Organization, was also a highlight. The forum highlighted global health priorities and fostered innovation to shape the future of healthcare and community well-being.
During WGS 2025, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also attended the 4th Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, where discussions centered on youth empowerment, innovation, and industrial development in the Arab world. He is the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
Meanwhile, the ninth Arab Fiscal Forum, jointly organized by the UAE Ministry of Finance, the Arab Monetary Fund, and the IMF, gathered global financial leaders to address economic resilience, focusing on debt vulnerabilities, subsidy reforms, and tax administration efficiency.
Additionally, a roundtable co-hosted by Dubai Chambers explored the vital role of family businesses in economic sustainability. With 70 percent of global GDP and 60 percent of employment linked to family enterprises, discussions touched upon governance, sustainability strategies, and the transition of leadership to the next generation.
Leadership development remained a focal point, with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan also participating in the graduation ceremony of leadership capacity-building programs, recognizing young professionals in governance, cybersecurity, and aviation.
Pivotal reports and recognitions
Beyond thematic discussions and bilateral meetings, WGS 2025 also served as a platform unveiling pivotal reports. These include the Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2025, which provided an assessment of how Arab nations are progressing toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report offered a critical roadmap for regional governments looking to bridge development gaps.
Meanwhile, PwC Middle East presented papers on global trade resilience, value-based healthcare, and biodiversity conservation. Their findings underscored the urgency of integrating technology into governance, with a special focus on artificial intelligence’s transformative potential in policymaking.
These reports are apart from the Global Ministers Survey, which was first launched by WGS and PwC last year. At the event, the second edition of the survey was unveiled, once again inviting ministers from around the world to participate by sharing their insights on key global issues.
During the event, WGS also handed out awards to acknowledge exceptional governance efforts. One of the most anticipated moments of WGS 2025 was the presentation of the Best Minister Award, which went to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Anxious Masuka. Meanwhile, the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize was awarded to Saudi teacher Mansour Al-Mansour, who received $1 million.
Moreover, the Global Government Excellence Awards honored standout initiatives, such as the Ubongo Digital Education Program from Africa and a groundbreaking recycling project from Cascais, Portugal.
Commenting on this year’s WGS, Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS, said “The World Governments Summit’s 12th edition saw the strengthening of governmental partnerships and the exchange of best practices that played a crucial role in shaping comprehensive government strategies, policies, and visions. These initiatives have not only advanced governmental work across various nations but have also fostered sustainable development and contributed tangibly to the prosperity of societies.”
The next WGS will be held from February 3 to 6, 2026.
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