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A statement from the World Economic Forum detailed that the inaugural Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from October 13 to 15, 2026. The event is designed as a recurring platform that positions emerging and established next-generation global leaders as central voices in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. It emphasizes that true progress stems from collaboration across generations and sectors, building on existing ties between the two entities.
According to the World Economic Forum, Alois Zwinggi, its president and chief executive officer, stated, “By convening emerging and established global leaders, the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders will foster the intergenerational dialogue needed to address the world’s most pressing challenges. True progress comes from collaboration across generations and sectors.” Larry Fink, co-chair of the World Economic Forum, noted in the same announcement that the challenges ahead demand leaders focused on long-term outcomes, adding that bringing generations together will create lasting opportunity.
The statement further included remarks from André Hoffmann, co-chair of the World Economic Forum, who said the contribution of emerging leaders is essential to build a more resilient and sustainable future. UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs H.E. Mohammad Al Gergawi, who also serves on the World Economic Forum Leadership Council, described the initiative as marking a new milestone in the bilateral strategic partnership. He highlighted that the UAE and the World Economic Forum have collaborated for over 16 years through the Global Agenda Councils and Global Future Councils.
The gathering will feature public figures, CEOs and experts drawn from government, business, academia, sports, arts and culture, the World Economic Forum said. Participants will include members of the Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Social Innovators communities along with leaders from the Great Arab Minds and Young Arab Leaders programs. This composition aims to ensure diverse perspectives inform the discussions.
Six themes will guide the sessions, according to the announcement: AI, technology and human agency; science, discovery and innovation; economics; geopolitics, security and history; leadership and human flourishing; and climate and nature. These topics align with current global priorities and the expertise of the assembled leaders. The UAE has previously hosted related World Economic Forum gatherings, including the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils that brought together over 500 thought leaders.
The launch builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed in January during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos to continue hosting the Global Future Councils in Dubai for the next five years. Public records from that period confirm the agreement was formalized to deepen the knowledge partnership between the UAE and the Forum. This latest development focuses specifically on empowering future leaders within that framework.
