World Governments Summit 2025 to see record-breaking international participation with delegates from every continent

The 12th World Government Summit (WGS) will be held in Dubai from February 11 to 13, 2025, under the theme "Shaping Future Governments." This year's international participation is expected to reach a record high, making it the largest WGS in history.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit Organization, stated during a dialogue at the Museum of the Future in Dubai: "The World Government Summit has achieved its distinguished position due to its unique and forward-thinking vision. This vision prioritizes proactive future planning as the foundation for effective governance, focusing on empowering individuals and developing thriving communities. It champions international partnerships and cooperation as the most effective means to achieve common goals and ensure prosperity for all."

This edition of the World Government Summit will set new records for participation in both scale and diversity. With over 50% more attendees than last year, it will be the largest gathering in the summit's history, with representatives from all continents and various sectors. The summit aims to serve as a unified platform for global governments, fostering economic, social, and governmental progress to achieve equitable development for all.

Al Gergawi announced that the upcoming World Government 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 includes 21 global forums exploring future trends, encompassing over 200 interactive sessions featuring more than 300 prominent speakers. Additionally, there will be over 30 ministerial meetings and roundtables, bringing together more than 400 ministers, culminating in the release of 30 strategic reports developed in collaboration with the summit’s international knowledge partners.

Gergawi stated that under the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the World Government Summit has become the largest and most influential global forum for governments over the past 12 years.

This highly anticipated annual event brings together global leaders to discuss, strategize, and shape the future, driving transformative change for the sustainable progress and prosperity of their societies. Al Gergawi also announced that several world leaders will attend the 2025 World Government Summit, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.

Other key participants include: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kenyan Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and Mohammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh.

The 2025 World Government Summit 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 such as artificial intelligence, energy, transportation, tourism, finance, and media. 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.

The latest edition of the World Government Summit focuses on six key themes: Effective Governance and Accountability, Future Financing and Global Economy, Climate, Crisis Mitigation and Resilient Cities, Human-Centric Future and Capacity Building, Global Health Transformation, and Emerging Frontiers and the Future. The agenda includes 21 forums covering these themes, bringing together ministers, government officials, and sector leaders. These forums include: the Future of Transportation Forum, the Artificial Intelligence Forum, the Government Services Forum, the Future of Education Forum, the Government Experience Exchange Forum, the Future of Work Forum, the Emerging Economies Forum, the Sustainable Development Goals in Action Forum, the Arab Public Administration Forum, and the Zero Bureaucracy Forum.

The Arab Youth Leaders Meeting and the Arab Fiscal Forum will also be held the day before the summit. During the summit, several ministerial and high-level meetings will take place, including the Ministerial Meeting of the Arab Government Administration Forum, the Arab Youth Ministers Meeting, the Gulf Cooperation Council Labor Ministers Meeting, a high-level meeting between Latin American and Middle East and North Africa countries on future investment, ministerial meetings on Digital Justice and COP29, the International Civil Aviation Organization Council Meeting, and the Latin American Organization for Administration Development Council Meeting.

Additionally, multiple round table discussions will be held on topics including Artificial Intelligence, Development Cooperation, Emerging Economies, Government Communication, Family Businesses, and Tourism. The World Government Summit will also host the annual gathering of TIME Magazine's 100 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.

The latest edition of the World Government Summit provides a clear roadmap for governments to address rapid transformations in key areas. 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 social prosperity.

To further solidify its global impact, the World Government Summit will release 30 strategic reports covering various sectors. These reports, developed in collaboration with leading think tanks and research institutions, will provide key indicators, models, and innovative solutions to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals, enhance government preparedness and resilience, and promote greater international cooperation.

The summit will also present several prestigious global awards to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to building a better future. These include the “World’s Best Minister Award” in partnership with PwC, the Creative Government Innovation Award, the Global Best Government Application Award, the Global Government Excellence Award, and the “Global Teacher Prize” in partnership with the Varkey Foundation.

Finally, the summit will launch a global ministerial survey, inviting ministers from around the world to share their insights on key global issues and contribute to collaborative solutions.