By Staff Reporter
DUBAI,: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday inaugurated the World Laureates Summit, the world’s largest gathering of Nobel Prize winners and recipients of leading international scientific awards.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
Running for three days, the summit brings together more than 100 leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, global scientific award recipients and heads of major research institutions. The event coincides with the World Governments Summit 2026, scheduled from February 3 to 5, with February 3 designated as a joint engagement day linking laureates with heads of state, ministers and global decision-makers.
During the inauguration, UAE leaders were briefed on key discussions led by Nobel laureates and researchers across multiple disciplines, highlighting the summit’s role as a global platform for long-term strategic thinking, scientific cooperation and innovation. The summit underscores the importance of basic sciences in addressing mounting global economic, social and political challenges.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said scientists are vital partners in shaping humanity’s future, stressing that investment in knowledge and research remains the most effective response to global challenges. He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to serving as an international hub for visionaries, innovators and scientific collaboration in service of humanity.
He added that nations prioritising knowledge and science are best positioned to lead global transformation, noting that the World Laureates Summit reflects the UAE’s determination to build a comprehensive scientific ecosystem that enhances quality of life and supports sustainable development.
The UAE President further emphasised that today’s challenges require unconventional solutions, calling on scientists to play a direct role in policymaking and development planning. He expressed confidence that the summit would generate innovative ideas to safeguard resources and ensure prosperity for future generations.
For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE will continue to be a global meeting point for bold ideas and visionary thinking.
“Convening more than 100 scientists and Nobel laureates sends a clear message: civilisation advances when science and scientists are valued,” he said. “Science is the true wealth of nations, and scientists are the architects of humanity’s future.”
He added that the UAE remains committed to empowering researchers, attracting global talent and transforming ideas into tangible achievements, driven by the belief that people are the nation’s greatest asset.
Opening the summit, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit, Mohammad Al Gergawi, said the vision of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has positioned the UAE as a global incubator for intellect and innovation.
He noted that sustainable nation-building depends not only on natural resources, but on investing in people, knowledge and science. Al Gergawi highlighted the rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, longevity research and interdisciplinary science, calling for the removal of traditional boundaries between scientific fields.
He said the summit comes at a critical global moment marked by geopolitical change, technological acceleration and economic pressure, underlining that the role of scientists is now central to humanity’s future.
President of the World Laureates Association (WLA), Professor Roger Kornberg, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, announced plans to establish a new WLA base in the UAE, positioning the country as a global hub for scientific research and collaboration.
“The UAE is not following the future of science — it is setting its direction,” Kornberg said, describing the summit as unprecedented in scale and impact. He praised its integration of science with government, industry and finance, enabling direct engagement between researchers and policymakers.
WLA Executive Director and Secretary-General Wang Hou said the UAE’s strong belief in science as a driver of progress was instrumental in the summit’s success, describing the event as a pivotal step in shaping the future of global science and cooperation.
Organised jointly by the World Governments Summit and the World Laureates Association, the World Laureates Summit brings together recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal, Lasker Award, Wolf Prize and Breakthrough Prize.
Held under the theme “Basic Sciences: Scientific Consensus for Addressing the Challenges of Humanity,” the summit features keynote addresses, plenary sessions and specialised forums focusing on artificial intelligence, quantum science, biotechnology, genomics, data science, cryptography and neurotechnology.
The programme also explores the role of fundamental science in governance, responsible technological development and strengthening international scientific cooperation amid complex global challenges.
