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.
A Closer Look: Inside the World Governments Summit 2024
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
