Latifa bint Mohammed stresses the importance of dialogue and confidence-building at the 2026 World Government Summit

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, held a meeting in which she hosted the spouses of heads of state and prominent women leaders from various parts of the world, as part of the World Government Summit 2026, which is being held this year under the slogan “Foreseeing the Governments of the Future,” and brings together leaders of countries and governments, many international and regional organizations, and an elite group of thought leaders, experts, decision makers, and heads of international institutions and companies, with the aim of enhancing international cooperation and exploring innovative solutions. And effective to meet the most important current global challenges, and develop tools, policies and models that are considered essential for forming future governments.
Her Highness was accompanied by Minister of Family Sanaa Suhail, Minister of State and Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Maryam Al Hammadi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs Hoda Al Hashemi, Vice President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance Mona Al Marri, and Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) Hala Badri.
The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere that provided an open space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and building common human ties. Discussions centered on the role of women in promoting dialogue and building trust as two essential pillars for building strong and sustainable societies, in addition to highlighting the importance of human communication in forming a more comprehensive approach in the areas of leadership and governance.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that dialogue and confidence-building are the basis for real progress and common understanding, pointing out that such meetings contribute to deepening relations and opening new horizons for cooperation and teamwork.
She said: “I was pleased to host a group of inspiring women leaders from different parts of the world, on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2026. These meetings have a special impact on me and a great impact on societies, as women have been and continue to be the pulse of communication between cultures and peoples, and in this gathering the dialogue turned into a vital space for rapprochement, the exchange of visions and experiences, and the building of authentic human bonds that enhance the spirit of joint action, and open new horizons for cooperation and creating influence and positive change.”
The meeting brought together an elite group of women leaders and prominent figures from governments and international organizations, which reflects the summit’s commitment to promoting comprehensive leadership concepts and consolidating the foundations of global cooperation. They are: President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadrio, President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Selja Novska Davkova, Prime Minister of Latvia, Ivica Selenia, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Mutali Nalumango, and First Lady of the Republic of Ecuador, Lavinia Valbonesi. Noboa, First Lady of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Diani Prince-Drew, First Lady of the Republic of Paraguay, Letizia Ocampos, First Lady of the Swiss Confederation, Caroline Parmelin, Sheikha Mona Abdullah Mishari Al-Kulaib, wife of the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon, Sahar Baasiri, wife of the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zamira Ksymaleva, and wife of the Vice President of the Republic of Venezuela. Veronica Calcinari, Minister of Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Nour Al Khalif, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Montenegro, Professor Dr. Andjela Stojanovic, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Daniela Nechetin, Secretary-General of the Organization of Commonwealth States, Shirley Botchoy, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States, Ambassador Noémie Madrid, and Executive Director of the United Nations. For Children (UNICEF) Catherine Russell, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme-Brazil Anacludia Rosbach, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in the UAE Valentina Bernasconi, Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the UAE Sajida Chua, Assistant Director of the World Food Program for Partnerships and Innovation Rania Camara, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Agility Kuwait Hanadi Al-Saleh, and CEO of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Diana Dai, And Nobel Prize winner in Physics Professor Donna Strickland.
The World Government Summit continues to affirm its position as a leading international platform for dialogue on issues of governance and international cooperation, embodying the role of the UAE in bringing together various parties and launching constructive discussions that contribute to shaping the features of a more interconnected and forward-looking global future.