More than 30 heads of state and government, more than 400 ministers, and thousands of industry leaders, experts, and policymakers will head to Dubai for the World Governments Summit 2025 next month. Running from February 11-13, the event will also welcome more than 80 international, regional and intergovernmental organisations to join in the discussion on the future of governance, global challenges, and their innovative solutions.

“This year’s summit will witness the participation of world leaders, including the presidents of Indonesia, Poland, Sri Lanka, and Colombia, alongside the prime ministers of Kuwait, Armenia, Pakistan, Kenya, Libya, Georgia, and Bangladesh,” Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit, said on Wednesday. “It will also see an unprecedented ministerial gathering with more than 400 ministers taking part in discussions spanning governance, economy, technology, sustainability, and global health.”

He said 27 international organisations, including the World Economic Forum, International Monetary Fund, International Energy Agency, Unesco, the Arab League, and the Gulf Co-operation Council, will be represented.

Sessions this year will explore strategies to enhance government transparency and efficiency, foster sustainable economic growth, develop urban resilience in the face of climate change, and ensure healthcare systems are equipped for evolving global challenges. Discussions will also tackle the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology, assessing how governments can harness these advancements while mitigating potential risks.

It will also host ministerial meetings including 32 high-level ministerial gatherings, bringing together government leaders from various sectors to exchange expertise and best practices.

Assessing a changing world

A key highlight will be the TIME 100 AI gathering, which will convene 100 of the world’s most influential AI experts to discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future. The private sector will also have a prominent presence, with global industry leaders from sectors such as technology, finance, energy, and media taking part in the discussions.

“Among the notable private sector figures attending are the CEOs of Google, Alibaba, Oracle, MasterCard, CNN, IBM, HP, SAP, Dow Jones, AstraZeneca, Baidu, The Economist, and Vodafone,” Mr Al Gergawi said during an event at Dubai's Museum of the Future. “The private sector is a key partner in shaping the future. Governments understand where businesses are heading, the opportunities emerging, and the challenges that lie ahead. The summit provides a platform for dialogue between governments and the private sector to navigate these transformations together.”

The summit will celebrate excellence in governance through five awards. These include the Best Minister in the World Award, the Innovative Government Solutions Award, the Global Award for Best Government Applications, the Global Government Excellence Award, and the Best Teacher in the World Award.

“The summit will be a global platform for passion, knowledge, and dialogue. In past editions, we have worked together to build a better future for humanity, addressing challenges and developing solutions,” Mr Al Gergawi added.

“From the UAE, the nation of the future, we extend this collaboration to the world, uniting governments, international organisations, and private sector leaders to create a better tomorrow.”

A world leader

It was also announced on Wednesday that the UAE has been elected as the permanent headquarters for Brics, an intergovernmental organisation consisting of 10 countries, which will oversee logistics operations.

Dubai Municipality’s acting director general, Marwan bin Ghalita, spoke about the emirate’s transition towards smart, AI-integrated urban planning and announced the launch of a new smart building model that integrates economic and environmental data to enhance sustainability and maximise property value.

“The initiative aligns with Dubai’s vision to move beyond traditional infrastructure development and focus on human-centric urban planning,” he said. “Dubai has long been a pioneer in smart city development, implementing AI-driven solutions to optimise urban spaces, improve energy efficiency, and enhance public services. The municipality’s latest initiative marks a shift from conventional real estate development to creating intelligent, self-sustaining urban environments that prioritise residents’ well-being and economic sustainability.”

What happened in 2024?

Last year’s event assessed global issues ranging from the conflict in Gaza to climate change, to the role of artificial intelligence in modern society.

More than 25 world leaders, technology trailblazers, industry experts and Nobel laureates came together to help shape the debate, which President Sheikh Mohamed described as the UAE’s "responsible invitation to the whole world" to join a constructive dialogue.

Among the key achievements were an agreement to help limit global temperature rises and a firm plan to introduce air taxi services to the UAE before the end of the decade.