WEF to bring more than 500 leaders to Dubai for inaugural Global Future Leaders meeting

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The World Economic Forum will convene more than 500 leaders and experts in Dubai from Oct. 13 to 15 for its inaugural Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, bringing together government officials, business executives and emerging leaders to address technological disruption, economic uncertainty and geopolitical change.

The meeting, organised in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates government, will include 15 ministers and nearly 150 chief executives and chairs, according to the forum’s announcement on Oct. 12.

Participants will include members and alumni of the Forum’s Young Global Leaders community, selected members of the Global Shapers Community and social innovators, alongside representatives from government, business, academia, science, technology and civil society.

Discussions will focus on how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping employment and economic opportunities, as well as responses to climate challenges, geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global economic conditions.

“The decisions we make today will shape the world the next generation inherits. Emerging leaders should have a voice in those decisions, not just live with their consequences,” said Alois Zwinggi, president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum and principal chairman of the meeting.

Zwinggi said the gathering would bring together different generations and perspectives to develop practical ideas for addressing challenges over the coming decades.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, the UAE’s minister of cabinet affairs and principal chairman of the meeting, said the event reflected the government’s partnership with the forum and a shared commitment to international cooperation.

“At a time of rapid technological, economic, and geopolitical transformation, preparing future leaders is more important than ever,” Al Gergawi said.

The programme will cover six strategic themes: geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, economic resilience and prosperity, leadership, science and innovation, and climate and nature.

Sessions will examine issues including the governance of autonomous artificial intelligence systems, human-machine collaboration, changing patterns of international trade and economic policymaking amid uncertainty.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Montenegro Prime Minister Milojko Spajić; Ohood Bint Khalfan Al Roumi, the UAE’s minister of state for government development and the future; Fadel Adib, a professor and entrepreneur at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Khalfan Belhoul, chief executive of the Dubai Future Foundation; and Mirjam Staub Bisang, chair of BlackRock Switzerland.

The forum will also launch Future20, an initiative bringing together 20 emerging leaders working in growth, innovation and resilience to develop opportunities for current and future generations.

New research scheduled for release during the meeting will address youth perspectives, leadership commitments, artificial intelligence applications for sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa, and the optimisation of data-centre infrastructure.

The discussions are expected to inform the forum’s continuing work and contribute to preparations for its Annual Meeting 2027 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The World Economic Forum said the initiative was designed to strengthen intergenerational dialogue and practical cooperation on issues shaping the future.