Top thought leaders to address World Government Summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who is battling the aftermath of this week’s deadly earthquake – will be among 20 heads of state, ministers, CEOs, thought leaders and celebrities who are set to address this year’s World Government Summit in Dubai.

The World Government Summit 2023 will be held from February 13 - 15, under the slogan “Shaping Future Governments,” with global policy, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, the future of jobs, future of society and city design up for debate.

From February 13 to 15, WGS 2023 will discuss six key themes that will shape future governments: Accelerating development and governance; future of societies and healthcare; exploring the frontiers; governing economic resilience and connectivity; global city design and sustainability; and prioritising learning and work.

Among them are presidents, government officials, ministers, heads of international organizations and companies, thought leaders, global experts and prominent business leaders from the private sector.

They include Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization.

Masrour Barzani, Iraq’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, IIham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, Macky Sall, President of Senegal, Mario Abdo Benitez, President of Paraguay, and other leaders will attend.

Public figures including ‘Futurist’ Will.i.am and Twitter CEO Elon Musk are also scheduled to deliver talks during the Summit.

Musk is not a newcomer to the Dubai summit, having already attended six years ago. This year, he’s expected on Feb. 15, from 9am to 9.20am local time, for an event simply titled “A Conversation with Elon Musk 2.0.” In a repeat of sorts from his last visit in 2017, he will sit across from the World Government Summit chairperson Mohammad Al Gergawi, who is also the UAE’s minister of cabinet affairs.