Geneva, Switzerland, 29 June 2026 - The inaugural Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders will be convened by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Government of the United Arab Emirates on 13-15 October 2026 in Dubai. The event will serve as a recurring global platform that places emerging and established next-generation global leaders as central voices in addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
The meeting series, announced by Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, and H. E. Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and Member of the World Economic Forum Leadership Council, is part of a forward-looking agreement between the Forum and the United Arab Emirates.
"By convening emerging and established global leaders, the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders will foster the intergenerational dialogue needed to address the world's most pressing challenges," said Zwinggi. "True progress comes from collaboration across generations and sectors."
"The challenges ahead demand leaders who can turn change into opportunity through a relentless focus on long-term outcomes," said Larry Fink, Co-Chair, World Economic Forum. "By bringing together leaders across generations, we can foster relationships and the exchange of ideas that will create lasting opportunity."
"The contribution of emerging leaders is essential to build a more resilient and sustainable future," said André Hoffmann, Co-Chair, World Economic Forum.
"The Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders marks a new milestone in the strategic partnership between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum," said Al Gergawi. "The two have collaborated for over 16 years through the Global Agenda Councils and Global Future Councils."
The convening is designed to foster intergenerational dialogue to enable foresight, collaboration and action across six themes:
- AI, technology and human agency
- Science, discovery and innovation
- Economics
- Geopolitics, security and history
- Leadership and human flourishing
- Climate and nature
Participants will include public figures, CEOs and experts from government, business, academia, sports, arts and culture. Members of the Forum's Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Social Innovators communities, as well as leaders from Great Arab Minds and Young Arab Leaders, will also participate.
