UAE, World Economic Forum Launch Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders

Dubai, The Gulf Observer: The Government of the United Arab Emirates and the World Economic Forum have announced the launch of the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering emerging and established leaders to develop innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

The inaugural meeting will be held in the UAE from October 13 to 15, 2026, building on more than 16 years of strategic collaboration between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum that began with the launch of the Global Agenda Councils in 2009 and later evolved through the Global Future Councils, whose recommendations have helped shape discussions at the Forum’s annual meeting in Davos.

The newly launched platform will bring together prominent global leaders, government officials, chief executives of major international companies, experts, innovators and decision-makers to promote dialogue, strengthen international cooperation and accelerate the development of forward-looking policies for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

The initiative was jointly announced by the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum through statements issued by Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Member of the World Economic Forum Leadership Council, and Alois Zwinggi.

Al Gergawi said the new initiative reflects the shared commitment of the UAE and the World Economic Forum to advancing action-oriented international cooperation that promotes sustainable development and inclusive progress. He noted that the meeting builds upon the success of the Global Agenda Councils and Global Future Councils, which have transformed future-focused ideas into practical solutions benefiting societies around the world.

“The Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders is not a new partnership. Rather, it is the continuation of a journey that has demonstrated that investing in people and promoting international cooperation delivers the most enduring impact,” Al Gergawi said.

He added that the rapid global transformations across technology, science, economics and geopolitics require broader participation by the next generation of leaders to help shape policies and solutions that will influence the lives of billions of people.

Al Gergawi further said that jointly hosting the meeting reinforces the UAE’s position as a global centre for international partnerships, future foresight and talent development.

President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Alois Zwinggi, said the gathering would promote intergenerational dialogue by bringing together emerging and experienced leaders to address global challenges through collaboration across generations and sectors.

Larry Fink emphasized that future challenges require leaders capable of transforming change into opportunity through long-term thinking, while André Hoffmann highlighted the vital role of emerging leaders in building a more resilient and sustainable future.

The Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders will be organised around six strategic themes, including artificial intelligence, technology and human agency; science, discovery and innovation; economics; geopolitics, security and history; leadership and human flourishing; and climate and nature.

Participants will engage in strategic discussions on technological advancement, scientific innovation, sustainable development, governance, economic competitiveness and global security. The meeting will also explore future-ready policies aimed at strengthening governments, enhancing national resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The event is expected to attract senior government officials, CEOs of leading multinational companies, heads of international organisations, academics, researchers, innovators and thought leaders from around the world. It will also feature members of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Social Innovators communities, alongside representatives from academic, cultural, research, sporting and artistic institutions.

In addition, the meeting will welcome outstanding young Arab leaders participating in the Great Arab Minds and Young Arab Leaders initiatives, highlighting the growing contribution of Arab talent to global policy dialogue and future-focused innovation.

The launch of the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders further strengthens the UAE’s standing as a global hub for international dialogue, future foresight and collaborative action, while creating a platform for new partnerships, innovative ideas and long-term initiatives aimed at building a more prosperous and sustainable future for coming generations.