The 11th World Government Summit (WGS 2026) will convene in Dubai from February 18-20, 2026, gathering over 4,000 global leaders from 140+ countries to shape the future of governance. This year's theme, "Governing AI for Humanity," addresses the most pressing challenge facing governments worldwide — how to regulate and harness artificial intelligence for public good.
This guide covers the complete agenda, confirmed speakers, satellite events, and how professionals can register for public sessions based on official WGS announcements.
World Government Summit 2026 — The Details
Feb 18-20 at Madinat Jumeirah. 140+ countries, 4,000+ leaders, 200+ sessions. Theme: "Governing AI for Humanity". Public sessions at Museum of the Future.
Key Themes & Tracks
WGS 2026 features six main conference tracks:
AI Governance
Regulatory frameworks, AI safety standards, algorithmic accountability. OpenAI, Anthropic, and DeepMind panels.
Climate Technology
Government-led decarbonization, carbon markets, sustainable cities. UAE COP presidency updates.
Future of Finance
CBDCs, stablecoin regulation, cross-border payments, financial inclusion via digital identity.
Health Security
Pandemic preparedness, AI diagnostics, global health data sharing, aging populations.
Confirmed Speakers
Headline speakers announced for WGS 2026:
- António Guterres — UN Secretary-General (Opening Keynote)
- Sam Altman — CEO, OpenAI ("AI Safety and Government Partnership")
- Kristalina Georgieva — Managing Director, IMF
- Ursula von der Leyen — President, European Commission
- Satya Nadella — CEO, Microsoft ("Copilot for Government")
- Dario Amodei — CEO, Anthropic ("Constitutional AI")
- 25+ Heads of State — Including Singapore, Rwanda, Estonia, India representation
Main Event Details
- Venue: Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre
- Dates: February 18-20, 2026
- Registration: By invitation only (government/corporate)
- Live Stream: Free global broadcast on WGS website
- Public Sessions: Museum of the Future (limited tickets)
- Media: 1,000+ accredited journalists
Satellite Events (Open to Public)
Several side events are open to professionals and the public:
- GovTech Forum (Feb 17): Dubai World Trade Centre — Startups pitching to government buyers
- AI for Good Summit (Feb 18): Museum of the Future — Public tickets AED 200
- Youth Circle (Feb 19): Expo City — Free registration for ages 18-30
- Future of Work Forum (Feb 20): DIFC — HR leaders and policymakers
- Networking Reception: Burj Al Arab (invitation only)
"As artificial intelligence reshapes every aspect of society, governments must lead the conversation on responsible development and deployment. The World Government Summit 2026 will produce the first comprehensive 'Dubai Declaration on AI Governance' — a framework that balances innovation with human rights, safety, and equitable access. This is governance for the next century."
— HE Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of WGS, February 2026Expected Outcomes
- Dubai Declaration on AI: Global framework for AI governance signed by 80+ nations
- Climate Finance Pledge: $100B commitment for developing nation green tech
- GovTech Accelerator: Launch of $500M fund for government innovation startups
- Digital ID Standards: Interoperability agreement between 50 countries
- Bilateral Deals: 200+ government partnership announcements expected
Don't Miss WGS 2026
Watch the live stream free on worldgovernmentsummit.org or attend public sessions at Museum of the Future. For business visitors, this is the best week to network with government decision-makers from 140 countries.
