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The United Arab Emirates inaugurated the Global Summit of Scientists, the world’s largest gathering of Nobel Prize laureates and distinguished researchers, bringing together more than 100 leading scientists for three days of dialogue on fundamental science and global challenges. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, officially opened the Global Summit of Scientists today, marking a historic convergence of scientific excellence and governmental leadership in the region.
The summit launched concurrently with the World Government Summit 2026, held from February 3-5, with the first day designated as a joint platform connecting scientists with heads of state, ministers, and international organization leaders. According to official statements, the gathering represents an unprecedented scientific collaboration focusing on long-term strategic thinking and multidisciplinary cooperation.
Global Summit of Scientists Addresses Pressing Challenges
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed emphasized during the opening that scientists are essential partners in shaping the future. The President stated that investment in knowledge and scientific research remains the pathway to confronting global challenges, while the UAE will continue serving as a global hub that brings together minds and supports innovation for humanity’s benefit.
The UAE leader highlighted that countries prioritizing knowledge as a national imperative are capable of leading global transformations and shaping tomorrow’s landscape. He noted that the Global Summit of Scientists reflects the nation’s commitment to building an integrated scientific ecosystem that elevates quality of life and establishes sustainable prosperity based on scientific foundations.
Scientific Collaboration and Innovation at the Forefront
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the UAE has been and will remain a meeting place for minds and bold ideas. The Vice President stated that gathering over 100 scientists and Nobel laureates sends a clear message that civilization’s guarantee begins with valuing science and scientists.
Additionally, His Highness emphasized that science constitutes the wealth of nations while scientists are the architects of humanity’s future. In the Emirates, authorities embrace minds, empower researchers, and provide an environment where ideas transform into achievements, according to the official remarks.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and President of the World Government Summit, praised Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s vision for making the UAE a sanctuary for human intellect and a meeting point for global thought. Al Gergawi stressed that the nation believes building countries relies not solely on resources but on people, and that the greatest investment in the future is investment in knowledge and science.
World Association of Top Scientists Announces UAE Headquarters
Professor Roger Kornberg, President of the World Association of Top Scientists and 2006 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry, revealed that the association will establish a new headquarters in the UAE. This development will contribute to gathering scientists from around the world and cementing the nation’s position as a global center for scientific cooperation, research, and innovation.
However, Professor Kornberg noted that the UAE is not merely keeping pace with science’s future but actively contributing to shaping and directing its course. He described the Global Summit of Scientists as an unprecedented gathering in terms of size and diversity, emphasizing its exceptional breadth across scientific disciplines.
The summit creates a unique space where scientific discovery meets decision-making, bringing together science with governments, industry, and finance sectors. Scientists rarely have opportunities for direct dialogue with policymakers at such high levels, according to Kornberg’s opening remarks.
Key Topics at the Global Summit of Scientists
Wang Hu, Executive Director and Secretary General of the World Association of Top Scientists, confirmed that the summit’s successful convening demonstrates the UAE’s appreciation for science and its people’s belief in knowledge as a driver of progress. The executive praised the participation of association members whose efforts continue shaping humanity’s understanding of the world.
Meanwhile, the summit’s agenda features a substantive program centered on “Fundamental Sciences: Scientific Consensus to Address Humanity’s Challenges.” Sessions cover diverse fields including artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum sciences and nanotechnology, biotechnology and genomics, data science and cryptography, and neurotechnology.
In contrast to traditional conferences, discussions explore how fundamental sciences contribute to governance and economic systems, how to develop emerging technologies responsibly, and how to enhance international scientific collaboration within complex geopolitical environments. The first day included forums on AI science, transformative technologies, new energy, and scientific discovery.
The World Association of Top Scientists comprises 187 distinguished scientists in its membership, including 78 Nobel Prize laureates alongside winners of the Turing Award, Wolf Prize, Lasker Award, Fields Medal, Breakthrough Prize, and other prestigious international scientific honors.
The second and third days of the summit will feature additional specialized forums covering brain science, genetics and genomics, life sciences revolution in medicine, cosmology and quantum physics, blockchain science, carbon materials, nuclear physics, and youth empowerment. The final day includes joint sessions between the World Government Summit and the Global Summit of Scientists, though specific outcomes and follow-up initiatives have not yet been announced.
