Online Reporter
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA’S first official engagement after his month-long leave is his participation at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will be running from today to Thursday (February 3-5). The Sunday Mail Online explains what the summit is about and its importance.
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The World Governments Summit (WGS) is an annual forum that brings global leaders together to discuss the future of governance. It was founded in 2013 as a platform for shaping future governments through dialogue on futurism, technology and innovation. Ordinarily, it hosts around 150 governments, with thousands of attendees including Heads of State and Government, ministers and private sector leaders.
Mission and core themes
The WGS is dedicated to exploring how governments can harness innovation and technology to solve humanity’s universal challenges. Its discussions focus on key areas affecting global governance —technology and futurism: artificial intelligence, smart cities and science frontiers; societal well-being: happiness, healthcare and capacity building; global governance: effective leadership, economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Evolution of the summit
· 2013: Launched in Dubai as “Government Summit”.
· 2015: Rebranded to “World Governments Summit” with a goal to serve over 150 governments.
· 2016: Introduced a year-round membership system for deeper engagement.
· 2023: The summit focused on “Shaping Future Governments”, involving 20 Heads of State and 10 000 participants.
· 2026: This year event is running under the theme is “Shaping Future Governments”.
Major events and features
The WGS also includes specialised forums and notable awards:
· Global Artificial Intelligence Forum: Convenes experts to discuss AI governance and policy.
· Global Dialogue for Happiness: Focuses on well-being as a policy goal, leading to initiatives like the Global Happiness Coalition.
· The Museum of the Future: An exhibition showcasing future technologies, launched under the WGS umbrella.
· Best Minister Award: Recognises excellence in the public sector worldwide.
· GovTech Prize: Awards innovation in government technology solutions.
The 2026 summit and beyond
This year’s World Governments Summit will centre on “Shaping Future Governments”.
This theme addresses the urgent need for agile and collaborative leadership to tackle interconnected global issues. The event will continue to serve as a primary stage for launching international policy initiatives and partnerships.
Overall, the summit has established itself as a unique platform where the practical work of governance intersects with long-term, future-oriented thinking. Its growth reflects a global consensus that addressing tomorrow’s challenges requires proactive dialogue and innovation in government today.
