World Governments Summit 2026 Set for Record Attendance With 35 Heads of State

The World Governments Summit 2026 is poised to become the largest edition in the event’s history, with a record turnout of global leaders, policymakers, and industry heads. Scheduled to be held from February 3 to 5, 2026, the summit will take place in Dubai under the theme “Shaping Future Governments”, reflecting its growing role as a key global platform for governance, innovation, and public-private collaboration.

According to summit organisers, this year’s edition will bring together more than 35 heads of state and government, delegations from over 150 countries, and more than 6,000 participants from across the world. Since its launch in 2013, the summit has evolved from a regional gathering into a central global forum addressing future governance, policy innovation, and emerging global challenges.

Largest Leadership Gathering So Far

Chairperson of the World Governments Summit Organisation Mohammad Al Gergawi said the 2026 edition marks an unprecedented milestone. Speaking at a preparatory dialogue hosted at the Museum of the Future, he said the summit was envisioned as a platform where practical solutions, new ideas, and impactful partnerships could take shape at a global level.

He noted that the summit now stands as one of the world’s most influential global government forums, supported by a strong network of over 70 strategic partners, including major corporations and leading knowledge institutions. These partnerships, he said, are instrumental in transforming policy discussions into real-world outcomes.

Global Leaders and Heads of Government Attending

Among the heads of state confirmed to attend are King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Guy Parmelin, Daniel Noboa, Alar Karis, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Vjosa Osmani, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

The summit will also see participation from heads of government including Pedro Sánchez, Edi Rama, Irakli Kobakhidze, Tshering Tobgay, and leaders from Egypt, Nepal, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Bermuda, Eswatini, and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

World Laureates Summit Alongside Main Event

In a significant addition, the UAE will also host the World Laureates Summit on February 1 and 2, ahead of the main summit. Organised in collaboration with the World Laureates Association, the event will feature Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal, and other global award winners.

Notable attendees include Michael Levitt, Steven Chu, Kip Thorne, Yoshua Bengio, and John Hopcroft. Outcomes from their discussions will be presented during the World Governments Summit.

Extensive Agenda and Global Forums

The 2026 summit will feature 24 global forums, over 320 sessions, and 35 ministerial and high-level meetings involving more than 500 ministers. Key areas of discussion include governance, artificial intelligence, aviation, logistics, tourism, global trade, investment, healthcare, education, sustainability, and future cities.

More than 100 international organisations and global institutions will participate, including senior leaders from the International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and OPEC Fund.

Shaping Future Governance

With participation from presidents, prime ministers, CEOs, global experts, and thought leaders, the World Governments Summit 2026 aims to shape global conversations on leadership, innovation, and governance reform. Organisers say the event will serve as a critical crossroads for nations seeking to adapt to rapid technological change, shifting demographics, and complex global challenges.

As the largest edition to date, the summit is expected to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for dialogue on the future of governance and international cooperation.