The World Government Summit, held annually in Dubai, opened its 2026 edition under the theme "Shaping Future Governments." It has brought together global leaders, policymakers and business executives to discuss how innovation, sustainability and technology are reshaping governance.
Addressing the summit, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the global economy has shown resilience despite geopolitical and trade uncertainties. She noted that the IMF periodically revises global growth projections and has recently upgraded its outlook for several regions, including the Gulf.
Georgieva said global trade has adjusted rather than collapsed despite tariff pressures. She also highlighted artificial intelligence as an increasingly important driver of productivity growth.
The summit will continue until February 5. Its deliberations are expected to influence future governance models through discussions on economic resilience, public finance and emerging technologies.