World Laureates Summit 2026: Global Visionaries Unite in Dubai to Reaffirm Science’s Role in Humanity’s Future

By: Taylor Lynn| World Laureates Summit 2026: Global Visionaries Unite| Image: WAM

The World Laureates Summit 2026 Unites Leading Scientists, Innovators, and Policymakers in Dubai to Reaffirm the Global Commitment to Science-Led Progress

On February 1, 2026, Dubai became the center of global scientific dialogue as more than 150 leading scientists and laureates gathered for the World Laureates Summit. The event underscored the urgent need to preserve trust in science and translate knowledge into policy as the world confronts rapid technological and environmental change.

The World Laureates Summit kicked off in Dubai today after convening more than 150 of the world’s foremost scientists, Nobel Prize recipients, and leaders in research and policy. The gathering, held alongside the World Governments Summit 2026, reinforced the principle that science remains humanity’s most reliable guide through global uncertainty.

Organized in partnership between the World Laureates Association (WLA) and the World Governments Summit (WGS), the event stood as one of the largest and most influential scientific gatherings of the year. Over three days, laureates, scholars, and policymakers from around the world are set to collaborate on strategies to strengthen the relationship between basic science, governance, and sustainable progress.

This year’s theme, “Basic Sciences: Scientific Consensus for Addressing the Challenges of Humanity,” call attention to the collective responsibility of scientists and leaders to ensure that innovation, policy, and ethics move forward in unison. Discussions will focus across frontier domains (Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, quantum sciences, biotechnology, genomics, energy innovation, and neurotechnology) , thus reflecting how scientific discovery continues to define civilization’s trajectory.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Vice Chairman of the World Governments Summit Foundation, reaffirmed the country’s vision during the opening ceremony. He noted that hosting the Summit alongside the WGS reflected the UAE’s belief that science and knowledge are enduring forces for human progress, enabling leaders to make decisions rooted in evidence and reason rather than speculation.

Professor Roger D. Kornberg, Chairman of the World Laureates Association and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2006), described the Summit as “a wake-up call for global cooperation between science and policy.” He commended the UAE for recognizing that basic science must inform international decision-making, emphasizing that “progress in civilization begins with progress in understanding.”

Among the distinguished participants were Professors Omar Yaghi (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025), Joel Mokyr (Nobel Prize in Economics 2025), John Clauser (Nobel Prize in Physics 2022), David W.C. MacMillan (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021), Ardem Patapoutian (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021), and Gregg L. Semenza (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019). University chancellors and presidents from across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East also joined, representing education’s crucial link in sustaining global scientific exchange. The World Laureates Association released its white paper, “Vision 2050 for a Scientific Civilization,” presenting a roadmap for integrating scientific wisdom into global systems of governance, education, and societal development. The paper comes at a pivotal time as artificial intelligence, energy transitions, and biomedical breakthroughs continue to transform daily life and redefine human capability. The Association will also launch three annual flagship initiatives; a global university ranking, a science cities ranking and an annual review of scientific developments, mapping where new knowledge is created and how it evolves.

Over three days, sessions such as the Mobius Forum, AI Science Forum, New Energy Forum, and Young Scientists Forum will foster vital exchanges between senior laureates and emerging innovators. With the closing day set to feature joint sessions with heads of state and ministers, bridging scientific insight with political will under one roof, a rare and timely alliance.

With 187 members, including 78 Nobel laureates, the World Laureates Association reaffirmed its mission to champion basic science, foster global cooperation, and strengthen the next generation’s capacity to build a world guided by knowledge.

For more information, visit: https://www.wlasummit.org/