Baghdad: Dubai will host the Knowledge Summit 2026 on November 17 and 18 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the summit will be held under the theme “Knowledge: Overcoming Crises in a Changing World.” It will bring together leading experts, decision-makers, and innovators from around the world to discuss rapid global transformations and the role of knowledge in supporting sustainable development.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Knowledge Summit serves as an advanced knowledge platform, uniting prominent decision-makers, experts, and specialists from across the globe to exchange visions and formulate practical solutions that address the demands of the current era. It will highlight the experience of Dubai and the UAE as a leading global model in leveraging knowledge to manage and anticipate crises, based on the application of flexible policies and future-oriented visions that keep pace with rapid changes.

The summit will also showcase the role of an integrated system that brings together the government, the private sector, academic institutions, and youth to foster the development of innovative and applicable solutions that support sustainable development and meet future needs. This year’s summit celebrates the winners of the ninth edition of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, which aims to highlight creative minds and inspiring initiatives that contribute to a sustainable positive impact on societies.

The award supports researchers, thinkers, and institutions that lead knowledge transformation and develop innovative solutions to global challenges. The Knowledge Summit will also witness the launch of the Global Knowledge Index 2026, an international benchmark for measuring the state of knowledge. In its tenth edition, the index assesses countries’ readiness to transition to a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.