The fourth edition of the World Government Summit, under the title ‘Shaping Future Governments’, is set to run from February 8 to 10, 2016 under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the Madinat Jumeirah.

The summit will be attended by more than 3,000 participants from 125 countries, including top dignitaries, leaders and experts from the government and private sectors across the world. The US President Barack Obama tops the list of speakers, and he will address the summit on its first day with a keynote speech via closed-circuit television. The US will participate as the annual guest of honor at this year’s event.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, will conduct a conversation with his 10 million followers on social media platforms titled "Dialogue of the Future." The interaction will witness him answers questions on his vision for the future of Government, education, health, cities and other vital sectors.

The World Government Summit will be attended by a number of heads of states, governments and international organisations. In his speech highlighting the ability of developing countries to advance, the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame will share the experience of his country in saving one million citizens from poverty. Leading international organisations, including the United Nations, Gulf Cooperation Council, League of Arab States, World Bank, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and World Economic Forum, will participate in the Summit.

The World Government Summit is a knowledge-oriented forum that convenes representatives of academic institutions and scientific research centres and university students, who are invited to share their future visions and aspirations. The summit presents and discusses more than 70 topics highlighted by top speakers at the main and interactive sessions attended by a number of leaders, decision-makers, ministers, CEOs, leaders of innovation, officials, experts and entrepreneurs.

Over three days, the World Government Summit will discuss the future of eight vital sectors: education, health care, government action, science, innovation and technology, economy, labor market and human capital management, development and sustainability and the cities of the future.

The current edition of the summit will witness changes to the sessions by making them shorter and more focused, giving room for dialogues in a more interactive manner, and developing smart e-platforms as well as a special application for the summit. The events will feature a number of keynote speeches and dialogue sessions.

Furthermore, the World Government Summit 2016 will witness the release of a number of specialised future-oriented reports as well as the opening of the Museum of the Future and the launch of the Edge of Governments exhibition. It will honor the winners of the ‘Best Minister in the World’ award, ‘Best Mobile Government Service’ award, and ‘Innovative Teacher’ award. The summit will also see the hosting of several associated international meetings on the sidelines.

During the first day, a keynote address entitled ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’ will be delivered by Professor Klaus Schwab, President and Founder of the World Economic Forum. Moreover, the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and the OECD Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria will deliver keynote addresses. H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Interior will speak in a main session titles "Doctrine of Integration" during which he will discuss the vision UAE adopted in unifying efforts and integrating capabilities to shape a better future.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit 2016, stressed that the summit in its fourth edition will explore horizons of the future, guided by the wise vision of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (may God protect him), and under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashidthat places the well-being of mankind at its core through adopting an innovative approach and proactive philosophy.