Indian PM Modi to attend Dubai's World Government Summit as agenda is announced

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will take part in next week's World Governments Summit.

The three leaders will lead high-level delegations from their countries, which have been named guests of honour at the 11th annual global gathering.

They will be among more than 25 world leaders and heads of state attending the summit at Madinat Jumeirah.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Governments Summit, said the selection of the three countries as guests of honour reflected their deep-rooted ties with the UAE.

The agenda for the summit was announced on Wednesday night.

This year's summit – which runs from February 12 to 14 – will feature more than 4,000 delegates from the public and private sectors, including 200 speakers from 80 international, regional and intergovernmental organisations such as the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Health Organisation, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab League.

It will include 15 conferences aimed at defining the future of AI, government services, urbanisation, education and smart mobility.

There will be six additional conferences to cover health, sustainable development, future economies and advanced technology.

Preparing for the future

The opening pre-summit day of the event – held under the theme "Shaping Future Governments" – on Sunday will feature the Arab Fiscal Forum, in which Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, will address delegates.

The forum will explore economic developments, energy subsidiary reforms and social safety nets.

Other key events on Sunday will include the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, the World Bank Group Ministerial Experience Exchange and the Ministerial Roundtable with Arab Youth Ministers.

Other sessions during the week will include as the Future of Work Forum and the Future of Mobility Forum taking centre stage.

A ministerial meeting on climate action through sustainable finance, a family business conference, and another addressing scientific discovery and applications, with input from a group of Nobel laureates, will also take place.

A geo-technology and policy forum and another on artificial intelligence will also be stagd.

Topics to be discussed vary from AI challenges and opportunities through the space economy to decarbonisation.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, will address a key session during the summit.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, will take part in a session on the new government vision for creative industries.

Panels taking place on February 14 will include forums focused on the future of space, education and global health.

Several awards will be handed out during the international conference, including the annual best minister in the world title and an accolade for global government excellence.

Global line-up

Rwanda President Paul Kagame will be part of the World Governments Summit. Photo: AFP

Other heads of state attending the event include Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, and Kenyan President William Ruto.

Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun and Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan will also be present.

Key players in the evolution of the technology sector such as OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman and Jensen Huang, chief executive, co-founder and president of the Nvidia Corporation, will also help to shape the debate.

Modi's UAE tour

Mr Modi's appearance at the World Governments Summit will come in a week in which the Indian leader already has two high-profile engagements in the Emirates.

He will address the Indian community at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City stadium on February 13.

More than 30,000 people had already registered to attend the major event as of January 25.

Mr Modi will conclude his tour by inaugurating the capital’s first Hindu temple on February 14.

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday

AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)

Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)

Benevento v Parma (5pm)

Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)

Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)

Lazio v Spezia (5pm)

Napoli v Crotone (5pm)

Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)

Torino v Juventus (8pm)

Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale