Photo Credit: X/worldgovsummit
Dubai, UAE — February 2026 — The preliminary day of the World Governments Summit 2026 commenced on Monday, setting the stage for the official opening of the main event from February 3rd to 5th under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.”
The opening day, designated as Day 0, is set to host a series of exclusive forums, ministerial meetings, and roundtables.
These gatherings will feature heads of state and government, senior officials, and leaders from international organisations and the private sector.
Key forums include the Arab Fiscal Forum, the Young Arab Leaders Forum, the UAE-Kuwait Economic Forum, and the High-Level Investment Forum focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ministerial dialogues will go over topics from youth and labour policies in the Arab region to accelerating artificial intelligence transformation.
Prominent speakers include UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Al Hussaini, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and the Presidents of Ecuador and Paraguay, Daniel Noboa and Santiago Peña Palacios, respectively.
In a statement, Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS, emphasized the summit’s role as a critical hub for collaborative, science-based solutions.
“The summit embodies the strong human resolve to collaborate in shaping a better future for all,” he said, noting its function in unifying global efforts to enhance governmental readiness and turn cross-border challenges into sustainable opportunities.
The 2026 summit marks the largest leadership participation in its history, convening more than 60 heads of state and government, over 500 ministers, and representatives from more than 150 governments.
Total attendance is expected to exceed 6,250 participants across more than 445 sessions.
A cornerstone of the preliminary day was the Tenth Annual Arab Fiscal Forum, organised by the UAE Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Arab Monetary Fund and the IMF.
With Arab finance ministers in attendance, discussions are set to shed light on fiscal policy in light of global economic shifts, balancing growth with sustainability and climate action.
Key topics will include the impact of digitalisation and artificial intelligence on public finance, mechanisms for financing sustainable development, and the role of financial technology.
A closing ministerial roundtable at the forum will focus on the implications of technological advances for public finance administration and future expenditure priorities amid global economic developments and international crises.
