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- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, toured the venue of the World Governments Summit 2026 on Monday, reviewing a wide range of innovative projects and future-focused solutions showcased by participating government entities.
- Among the major forums convened on Monday were the Arab Fiscal Forum, the Young Arab Leaders Forum, the UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum, and the High-Level Investment Forum, which focused on strengthening investment cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean.
- On the sidelines of the summit, Sheikh Mohammed met with several Arab Ministers of Finance participating in the 10th Arab Fiscal Forum, where discussions focused on fiscal sustainability, regional economic cooperation, and responses to global economic challenges.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, toured the venue of the World Governments Summit 2026 on Monday, reviewing a wide range of innovative projects and future-focused solutions showcased by participating government entities.
The World Governments Summit 2026 was set to officially begin on Tuesday under the theme “Shaping Future Governments”. The three-day global gathering was expected to witness the largest leadership participation in the summit’s history, bringing together heads of state, prime ministers, senior government officials, leaders of international organisations, policymakers, futurists, economists, and global experts.
Day 0 forums and high-level participation
The preliminary day, known as Day 0, featured a series of strategic forums, ministerial meetings, and closed-door roundtables addressing key global economic, governance, and development challenges. The sessions saw participation from senior officials and decision-makers representing governments, financial institutions, and international organisations.
Among the major forums convened on Monday were the Arab Fiscal Forum, the Young Arab Leaders Forum, the UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum, and the High-Level Investment Forum, which focused on strengthening investment cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Meetings with Arab finance ministers and IMF leadership
On the sidelines of the summit, Sheikh Mohammed met with several Arab Ministers of Finance participating in the 10th Arab Fiscal Forum, where discussions focused on fiscal sustainability, regional economic cooperation, and responses to global economic challenges.
He also met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), during which they discussed recent global economic developments and explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in areas related to economic stability and sustainable growth.
Earlier, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a separate meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Their discussions reviewed the longstanding cooperation between the UAE and the IMF and explored ways to further strengthen the partnership in support of sustainable development and global economic expansion.
Strengthening regional and international ties
As part of the summit’s preliminary engagements, Sheikh Mohammed also met with a number of Kuwaiti traders participating in the UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum, which was organised as part of the “UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever” week. The initiative celebrated the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries and aimed to enhance trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
In addition, the Ruler of Dubai held meetings with Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, discussing bilateral relations and areas of mutual cooperation.
A global platform for future governance
The World Governments Summit 2026 continued over the following days with an extensive agenda focused on future governance models, economic resilience, technological innovation, sustainable development, and international cooperation. The summit served as a global platform for governments to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore solutions to emerging challenges shaping the future of societies worldwide.
Photos credited to Dubai Media Office
