The UAE Government, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), has announced the launch of the 2025 edition of the Global Future Councils, which is set to take place in Dubai from October 14 to 16, 2025. This significant event will feature 36 councils that will bring together 700 experts from over 580 organizations worldwide.

This gathering marks a continuation of the UAE’s partnership with the WEF, which has spanned more than 16 years and resulted in the convening of over 280 councils with more than 6 600 global experts. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, the UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Co-Chair of the Global Future Councils, emphasized that these councils reflect the shared values of the UAE and the WEF, aiming to enhance future-oriented thinking and inspire societies to develop and implement innovative solutions.

According to Economy Middle East, Al Gergawi noted, “For more than five decades, our relationship with the World Economic Forum has always centred on building an inclusive platform for open global dialogue about the future—with humanity at its core.” He highlighted the UAE’s commitment to fostering meaningful international cooperation to create a better tomorrow.

Børge Brende, the president and chief executive officer of the WEF, explained that the Global Future Councils uniquely address interconnected challenges such as technology, geoeconomics, and environmental issues by bringing together experts from various fields to find new areas for future collaboration.

The upcoming councils will focus on cultivating thought leadership to navigate uncertainty, address geopolitical tensions, and better understand the complexities of the modern world. The 2025–2026 edition will maintain a balanced representation, with one-third of participants being business leaders, one-third thought leaders and academics, and one-third from government experts, international organizations, and civil society.

An introductory meeting was held by the UAE Government and the WEF to brief members on the goals and priorities for the councils over the next two years. During this session, Ruqayya AlBlooshi, executive director for International Affairs at the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and Martina Szabo, Head of Knowledge Communities at the WEF, outlined the roadmap for the new Global Future Councils.

AlBlooshi highlighted the UAE’s pivotal role in creating a diverse future-shaping network, stating that it contributes nearly $8 trillion in global economic value and reaches 683 million people across 158 countries. She remarked, “Over the past 16 years, the collaboration between the UAE and the World Economic Forum has led to the creation of hundreds of think tanks and brought together thousands of experts and thought leaders from over 93 countries.”

AlBlooshi also noted the councils’ impact on major global events, such as the GFC on Agile Governance, which produced thought leadership that facilitated innovative regulatory practices across seven countries. Szabo elaborated on the councils’ evolution since their inception in 2008 and their role in shaping key global agendas, including the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in China and the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings in New York.

She outlined new objectives for the Global Future Councils, including fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, exploring emerging issues and technologies, and establishing data-driven cooperation between public and private sectors. The councils are recognized for their ability to drive transformative change globally, having convened more than 280 councils with over 6 600 members from around 100 countries, comprising 1 500+ companies, 800 academic institutions, 600 civil society groups, and 50 international organizations.