| World Governments Summit | |
| Type: | Non-governmental organization |
| Vat Id: | (for European organizations) --> |
| Purpose: | Social and economic |
| Headquarters: | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Owners: | --> |
| Key People: |
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The World Governments Summit is a global, neutral, non-profit organization based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It convenes annually, bringing together leaders from government, academia, and the private sector to engage in discussions on futurism, technology innovation, and other pressing issues. Since its inception in 2013, the Summit has served as a premier knowledge exchange hub, fostering conversations on future trends, challenges, and opportunities among government officials, policymakers, thought leaders, and industry experts. Featuring over 790 speakers from 150 countries and attracting more than 4,000 attendees, the Summit is organized by the World Governments Summit Organization, which is dedicated to shaping the future of governance through innovation and collaborative efforts.[1]
The World Governments Summit was founded in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[2] The initiative aimed to establish a global platform for knowledge exchange, gathering government officials, policymakers, business leaders, and representatives from civil society to discuss innovative approaches to governance and service excellence. The Summit quickly gained recognition for its focus on futurism, technology innovation, and addressing pressing global issues.
In 2015, the Summit underwent significant changes under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Mohammad Al Gergawi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and chairman of the organizing committee, announced a rebranding from the Governments Summit to the World Governments Summit. This transformation included restructuring the organization and setting a mission to provide integrated knowledge services to over 150 governments and global organizations, thus elevating the Summit to a new global level.
The following year, the World Governments Summit introduced a new year-round membership system.[3] This system provided members with exclusive benefits, including invitations to the Summit, direct communication with top speakers and attendees, early access to reports, and participation in private functions and executive education programs. These initiatives aimed to deepen engagement and foster continuous collaboration among its members, enhancing the impact of the Summit beyond its annual event.
Since its inception, the World Governments Summit has actively disseminated knowledge through public reports, conference speeches, and a dedicated YouTube channel. This effort ensures that the insights and discussions from the Summit reach a global audience, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on governance and innovation. By fostering such a dynamic exchange of ideas, the World Governments Summit has solidified its role as a leading platform for shaping the future of governance through collaborative and innovative approaches.
The Summit's influence continues to grow as it partners with key international organizations and addresses critical global challenges. The organization remains committed to its mission of improving governance and service delivery worldwide, leveraging the collective expertise of its participants to drive progress and create a better future for all.
The World Governments Summit has evolved significantly since its inception in 2013, with each year focusing on distinct themes that address the pressing issues of the time.
2013: The inaugural summit centered around building citizen trust in governmental entities, utilizing social media for civic engagement, fostering private-public sector partnerships, and measuring development.
2014: The themes included partnerships and innovation in government service delivery,[4] government smart toolboxes, and digital government.[5]
2015: This year focused on smart cities, innovation,[6] and creating better jobs for the future.[7]
2016: The summit's themes expanded to include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), [8] sustainability,[9] and advanced science in governance, with a special emphasis on robotics, artificial intelligence, genomic medicine, and biometrics.[10] Additionally, the Best Minister in the World award was introduced.[11]
2017: The focus was on climate change and food security, citizen well-being and happiness, government agility, and geopolitics and humanitarian aid. This year marked the participation of seven international organizations as strategic partners.
2018: Themes revolved around artificial intelligence and happiness, reflecting the increasing importance of technology in shaping societal well-being.
2019: The agenda included tracks on post-conflict governance, the future of trade, happiness and well-being, the interplay of politics and society, and new resources. The summit also featured forums such as the Global Policy Platform and the Future of Government Communication Forum, and hosted Estonia, Costa Rica, and Rwanda as guest countries to share their best practices.
2020: The summit focused on the governance of artificial intelligence and the role of technology in addressing global challenges, featuring discussions on how AI can be used to improve public services and enhance governmental decision-making.
2021: Key themes included resilience in governance post-COVID-19, future health security, and leveraging technology for sustainable development. The summit emphasized the need for adaptive and responsive governance models in the face of global crises.
2022: The themes for this year included The future of work and education in a digital economy, the role of governments in fostering innovation, and addressing climate change through sustainable policies.
2023: Under the theme "Shaping Future Governments," the summit brought together 20 heads of state and government, 250 ministers, and over 10,000 private sector leaders, global experts, and thought leaders to tackle future opportunities, trends, and challenges. This year's discussions focused on leveraging technology and innovation to create effective and inclusive governance systems for the future.[12]
2024: The World Governments Summit took place under the theme of "Shaping Future Governments" focusing on international cooperation and innovative solutions for future challenges, with participation from governments, international organizations, thought leaders, and private sector leaders, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of governments.[13]
World Governments Summit speakers have included: [14] [15]
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018:
2019:
2020:
2021
2022:
2023:
2024:
The World Governments Summit typically features various forums and events that facilitate discussions and exchanges of ideas among global leaders, policymakers, and experts. Here are some common forums and events that have been part of previous summits:[16]
1.Global Artificial Intelligence Forum: Focuses on the implications, applications, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in global contexts.[17]
2.Global Policy Platform: A forum for discussing and shaping global policy agendas on various critical issues facing governments worldwide.
3.Future of Government Communication Forum: Focuses on innovative strategies and technologies in government communication and public engagement.
4.Global Dialogue for Happiness: Explores happiness and well-being as essential metrics for societal progress and policy-making.[18] [19] [20]
5.Global Future Councils: Gatherings of experts and thought leaders to address specific global challenges and develop actionable recommendations.
6.Innovation Labs: Interactive sessions showcasing and fostering innovation in governance, public administration, and technology.
7.Policy Labs: Workshops and sessions aimed at developing practical policy solutions to complex global issues.
8.Best Minister Award: Recognizes outstanding government leaders for their achievements in governance and public service.
9. Country Spotlights: Sessions where countries share best practices and experiences in governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
These forums and events provide valuable platforms for networking, learning, and collaboration among global leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders, contributing to the summit's goal of fostering global dialogue and cooperation on pressing global challenges.
The World Governments Summit has garnered several prestigious awards that underscore its dedication to fostering innovation, excellence in governance, and global collaboration on critical societal issues. These accolades include:
These awards highlight the summit's role as a catalyst for advancing progressive governance and collaborative solutions on a global scale.