World Government Summit 2018 dates announced

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the sixth edition of the World Government Summit, WGS 2018, will run from 11th to 13th February 2018.

The upcoming edition of the summit will bring pivotal changes to the structure of the event with a series of specialised international forums to explore vital future topics including artificial intelligence, space, youth and happiness, climate change and the Global Policy Platform. The event will also witness the announcement of new initiatives that translate the outcomes of WGS 2017 into action.

Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and Chairman of WGS, said, "In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the summit has become an incubator for the future and a catalyst to shape global trends. The event has evolved into a leader of change that supports the transformation of the results of scientific foresight into practical applications, solutions and tools that governments can use to improve the quality of life."

He delivered the statement during the World Government Summit Dialogue in the presence of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing and Vice Chairman of WGS, Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Managing Direct of WGS. The main partners of the Summit and a host of officials, leaders and representatives of local and international media also attended the event.

Al Gergawi revealed that the summit will convene 4,000 attendees from 140 countries, including the representatives of 16 international organisations, heads of state, prime ministers and dignitaries from the public and private sectors, in 120 interactive sessions with more than 130 speakers.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future also announced that India will be the guest of honour at this year's forum. "India has been selected as this year’s guest of honor for its economic and development experience that deserves to be presented as a model for developing countries and emerging economies worldwide. The country has the world’s best executive heads in various fields, in addition to its scientific contributions and programmes in the areas of space and technology."

He noted that the sixth edition of the World Government Summit will cover ten topics including the 'Future of Integrated Health and Biotechnology', 'Future Societies: Human Culture and the Human Development Journey in the Next Century', 'Climate Change', 'India's Development Experience', 'Nation-Branding', 'The Importance of Hope in Shaping a Better Future for Humanity', 'Cyber-States', 'Future of Global Governance', 'Future of Personalised Education', 'Cryptocurrencies and the Future of Financial Markets', and 'New Dimensions of Justice in the Age of Technology'.

He explained that the agenda will address the topics in a broad manner while putting a spotlight on new concepts, such as justice in the age of technology, government branding, and hope and future prospects, emphasising that the summit seeks to keep pace with the latest trends and develop proactive solutions.

The list of WGS 2018 participants includes presidents of international organisations, such as Jim Kim, President of the World Bank, Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Roberto Azevedo, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, and Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, WHO.

Among the most prominent experts and scholars in attendance are futurist Michio Kaku, author and pioneer of the New Age movement; Deepak Chopra, political scientist; Professor Francis Fukuyama; co-founder of The Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington; philosopher Malcolm Gladwell; and biotechnologist Craig Venter.