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 officially opened on Tuesday under the theme "Shaping Future Governments". The three-day global gathering drew 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 from more than 150 governments.
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. Sessions drew senior officials and decision-makers from governments, financial institutions, and international organisations worldwide.
Among the major forums convened on Monday were:
- The Arab Fiscal Forum (10th edition) - The Young Arab Leaders Forum - The UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum, held as part of "UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever" week - The High-Level Investment Forum, 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. Discussions centred 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), Kristalina Georgieva, where both sides reviewed developments in the global economy and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in areas related to economic stability and sustainable growth.
Separately, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held his own meeting with Georgieva. Their discussions reviewed the longstanding UAE–IMF partnership and explored ways to advance sustainable development and global economic expansion.
Strengthening Regional and International Ties
As part of the summit's preliminary engagements, Sheikh Mohammed met with Kuwaiti traders participating in the UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum, which was organised under the "UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever" initiative — a celebration of deep-rooted fraternal ties aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
The Ruler of Dubai also held bilateral meetings with Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, covering 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 the challenges shaping the future of societies worldwide.
The 2026 edition concluded as the summit's largest ever, with participation from more than 150 governments, over 500 ministers, and upwards of 60 heads of state and government.
