Dubai: Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, attended the opening session of the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders 2026, which is organised by the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF), in cooperation with the Dubai Future Foundation.
Held in Dubai from 13-15 October, the meeting brings together more than 700 global leaders and experts from government, business, academia, sport, and culture for a programme focused on strategic dialogue, experiential learning, and practical collaboration.
Delivering the opening address at the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders 2026, His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Principal Chairman of the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, said the world is witnessing rapid shifts in power dynamics, technology, resources, energy and climate. He called on future leaders to build resilient economies, bridge divides and strengthen trust, stressing that true leadership lies in safeguarding people’s opportunities and shaping a better future.
Al Gergawi said the meeting opens a new chapter in global future leadership, bringing together leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs from 100 countries to shape a better future for humanity. He added that the UAE Government’s strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum, launched in 2008, has evolved through several milestones, including the Global Future Councils, which brought together more than 900 councils and around 12,000 experts and leaders, helping shape the WEF’s agenda in Davos.
He affirmed that the continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to anticipating future trends and developing solutions to address rapid global change.
Al Gergawi outlined major global shifts in power dynamics, human capabilities and AI, and the future of resources, energy and climate, noting that they are redefining leadership and the qualities future leaders need to navigate unprecedented challenges.
His Excellency identified 5 essential leadership qualities for future leaders: anticipating change, continuous learning and adaptation, wise use of capabilities, building partnerships, and turning vision into tangible results. He also stressed that true leadership is measured by its impact on people’s lives and its ability to deliver lasting results for future generations.
Reflecting on 18 years of collaboration with the World Economic Forum, he said the focus must now shift from discussing the future to shaping it. He concluded by calling for partnerships that drive action, opportunities that deliver results and lasting impact for future generations, stressing that the future depends not only on technology and resources, but also on the wisdom of leaders.
In his opening address, Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, praised the UAE and Dubai for their leadership in shaping the future, noting that their ambition is reflected in their institutions, infrastructure, technology and investment in young people.
Zwinggi said the longstanding partnership between the UAE Government and World Economic Forum reflects a shared commitment to anticipating future challenges, adding that the meeting brings together today’s changemakers and tomorrow’s leaders.
The President and CEO of the WEF expressed confidence in young people’s ability to shape the future of work, harness AI to enhance human capabilities and drive sustainable progress. He also urged future leaders to showcase courage and imagination, experienced leaders to share their wisdom with humility, and all participants to strengthen collaboration, stressing that everyone is a partner in designing the future. He also thanked the UAE Government for its leadership, partnership and support.
The Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders 2026 is one of the flagship initiatives of the strategic partnership between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum. The meeting aims to strengthen the role of global leaders in shaping the future and brings together more than 700 leaders and experts from 100 countries, including ministers, senior government officials, 300 Young Global Leaders and 150 UAE government leaders. The gathering serves as a global platform to explore emerging transformations, assess their implications and opportunities, and develop practical solutions to future challenges.
The meeting’s agenda focuses on six strategic themes: Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Human Agency; Science, Discovery and Innovation; Economic Growth; Geopolitics, Security and Trade; Leadership and Human Flourishing; and Climate, Nature and Sustainability.