World Government Summit to take place during Expo 2020

The next edition of the World Government Summit will take place during Expo 2020 Dubai, under the directive of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The gathering will take place in Dubai between November 22-25, 2020, and is expected to be the largest gathering yet, with 10,000 high-profile officials, 30 international organisations, and 600 experts and scholars scheduled to attend.

The four-day summit expects to draw more than 100,000 participants overall through its diverse futuristic programmes and pavilions, with the aim of solidifying its status as a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide.

This year’s summit, held in February, received more than 4,000 global figures, government officials and specialists from 140 countries, in addition to leaders of over 30 international organisations. More than 600 world-renowned experts also took part in over 200 sessions on issues facing future governments.

In launching World Government Summit-Expo 2020, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Dubai will witness a different milestone in 2020 as a major station in the agenda of over 190 countries. We will host an exceptional expo and summit, and invite the world to discuss the future.

“World Government Summit will represent the intellectual hub of Expo 2020 Dubai. Our aim is to organise a full-scale global event.

“Combining the World Government Summit and Expo 2020 Dubai establishes a pioneering edition of the World Expos that will connect the past, present, and future of nations.

“2020 will be the year of unifying efforts towards cementing the UAE’s new global status.”

The summit will provide a platform to share the UAE’s success story as an incubator of tolerance, diversity and coexistence among its residents coming from 190 nationalities, according to state media agency WAM. 

During the four days it will highlight the successful government model of the UAE and share different experiences of world governments to innovate an efficient global government model and strengthen international cooperation to face rising economic challenges of a rapidly changing world, added WAM.

The summit will also look ahead at the role of future technology advancements in shaping the future of governments, while exploring solutions to universal challenges posed by disruptive technologies.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, and chairman of the Expo 2020 Higher Committee, added: “Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has become an attractive global destination for governments, companies and innovators with exceptional ideas.

“The World Government Summit brings new value to Expo 2020 Dubai’s objectives in fostering international cooperation and providing knowledge exchange platforms. Similarly, Expo 2020 Dubai reflects the Summit’s vision to boost governments’ efforts in finding innovative solutions for future challenges to shape a better future for people across the globe.”

The UAE’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, said that combining both events would consolidate the UAE’s position as a melting pot of talent, hope and aspirations that would contribute to the advancement of collective performance of world governments.

“The World Government Summit– Expo 2020 will present new platforms and exceptional ideas to foster forward-looking government culture on a global scale,” he said.

“It will also offer the world’s biggest centre for government practices and specialised research in future government work.”

Held under the slogan ‘connecting minds, creating the future,’ Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to host millions of visitors from over 190 participating countries. It will open on October 20, 2020, and close on April 10, 2021.