H.H. Sheikh Mohammed holds talks with officials from Bhutan, Latvia

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has held bilateral talks in separate meetings with the Prime Ministers of Bhutan and Latvia on the preliminary day of the World Government Summit 2026.

His Highness met with Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, in efforts to strengthen collaboration in several sectors and open new avenues for partnership.

Tobgay praised the UAE’s development journey and its vital role in promoting international cooperation, underscoring the importance of the summit as a unique annual platform that brings together leading figures from around the world to develop shared visions for addressing global challenges.

Meeting with Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia, Sheikh Mohammed explored opportunities to further boost partnerships across key sectors, particularly in economic and trade relations, to advance shared interests. 

Siliņa highlighted the strong ties between Latvia and the UAE and emphasised the World Governments Summit’s significance as a global platform for dialogue aimed at driving positive change and future-ready governments.

Apart from the meetings, Sheikh Mohammed also toured events and pavilions on the preliminary day of the summit, where he was briefed on innovative projects and solutions aimed at accelerating growth across vital development sectors and advancing sustainable development and prosperity.

He was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

His Highness affirmed that the summit has become the world’s leading global platform for designing proactive policies and shaping future directions, stating that the UAE has succeeded in building a resilient model of governance grounded in high-impact solutions to global challenges, placing creative thinking at the core of national strategies to ensure sustainable development and excellence across key sectors”.

Running from February 3 to February 5, the World Governments Summit 2026 brings together more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, over 500 ministers, and representatives from more than 150 governments.

It also hosts over 80 international and regional organisations and global institutions, alongside more than 700 chief executives of leading global corporations, with total participation exceeding 6,250 attendees.