Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will bring together 1,000 prominent leaders from Dubai’s public and private sectors for one of the emirate’s leading annual gatherings dedicated to management and leadership.
The forum reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to establish a world-class leadership system built on readiness, efficiency, and the ability to anticipate future opportunities. It also places particular emphasis on helping leaders respond to rapid changes through innovation, proactive planning, flexibility, and timely execution.
The event represents an important step toward embedding His Highness’s leadership philosophy into a sustainable institutional approach. This approach aims to support Dubai’s continued development, bring government and private sector efforts closer together, improve operational efficiency, and enhance quality of life in line with the emirate’s long-term ambitions.
Organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, the forum seeks to promote advanced leadership standards and international best practices. It provides an interactive platform where senior executives, strategic leaders, academics, and experts from around the world can exchange knowledge, share experiences, and discuss emerging approaches to leadership and management.
Mohammed Al Gergawi: Forum Reflects Dubai’s Vision for Developing Exceptional Leaders
His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, emphasized the forum’s importance in advancing His Highness’s vision of preparing exceptional leaders capable of supporting Dubai’s development and strengthening its leadership model.
His Excellency said: “The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, which brings together more than 1,000 of Dubai’s leaders, is a living embodiment of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to develop exceptional leaders capable of establishing a unique development model by adopting His Highness’s leadership philosophy as a working approach based on foresight, proactivity, planning, and achievement.”
His Excellency added: “The nature of the developments and changes the world is witnessing today requires us to have a generation of highly prepared leaders who can identify future trends and turn visions into tangible reality with speed, flexibility, and a high degree of efficiency. This forum therefore serves as a platform that brings together Dubai’s public and private sectors to reaffirm a shared purpose and comprehensive institutional integration, on which our regional and international competitiveness is built.”
Winner of Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal to Be Honored
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum will feature a ceremony honoring the director general who wins the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal, the highest distinction of its kind in the Government of Dubai. The medal recognizes leadership excellence and the role of outstanding leaders in improving government performance and preparing qualified professionals to deliver results.
The medal was launched during the previous edition of the forum by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
The initiative aims to strengthen the culture of leadership development within government institutions, empower second-tier leaders, and ensure that excellence and leadership remain sustainable features of Dubai’s government performance.
The recognition also reflects Dubai’s continued focus on developing its government leadership system, encouraging institutional best practices, and building capable teams prepared to take on future responsibilities and contribute to strategic objectives.
Panel Discussions and Workshops to Explore the Future of Leadership
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum will feature a series of panel discussions, specialized workshops, and lectures examining the future of institutional leadership amid rapid global developments and ongoing changes in working environments and management practices.
The sessions will address Dubai’s major transformation projects and strategic priorities, while highlighting innovative leadership experiences and practices that can help institutions improve their performance and strengthen their readiness for future challenges.
They will also provide opportunities for direct dialogue and knowledge exchange among participating leaders, experts, and specialists. These discussions are intended to encourage shared strategic thinking and the development of new perspectives that support continued growth and progress.
The forum’s agenda also includes presentations by prominent motivational speakers and international experts in human development and leadership training. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from their experiences in developing leadership capabilities and building effective teams.
Leadership Councils to Discuss the Future Economy and Smart Cities
Several leadership councils will be held as part of the forum, focusing on strategic issues closely connected to Dubai’s future. Among the main topics are the next economy, emerging growth opportunities, innovation, and ways to support sustainable economic development.
The councils will also examine the leadership of future cities, drawing on international best practices in urban management, the development of smart infrastructure, and the ability of cities to adapt to changing needs and future requirements.
Another key topic will be Dubai’s new global narrative and its role in reinforcing the emirate’s international standing across economic, media, knowledge, and humanitarian fields.
The discussions will highlight Dubai’s position as a global model for development, innovation, and quality of life, while exploring ways to build on its achievements.
These leadership councils will give participants an opportunity to exchange views on global developments affecting the future of cities and economies. They will also bring together a range of expertise and perspectives that can contribute to shaping the emirate’s priorities in the years ahead.
New Leaders to Graduate as Forum Unveils Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum will also celebrate the graduation of a number of leaders from the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development and participants in its leadership programs.
The graduation reflects ongoing efforts to prepare qualified professionals and strengthen the human capabilities needed to guide institutions toward higher standards of excellence.
The event will also see the launch of several initiatives and projects in leadership and development, alongside the signing of partnerships and memoranda of understanding with government entities and international academic institutions.
These initiatives are intended to expand cooperation, encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and strengthen connections between institutions working in leadership development.
Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development Continues to Invest in People
Since its establishment, the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development has strengthened its standing among the world’s leading institutions specializing in leadership development.
The center continues to focus on preparing and developing leaders who can respond to future requirements and contribute to the progress of their institutions.
Its programs and initiatives are guided by the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which place investment in people at the heart of development. This approach recognizes human capabilities as the foundation for successful development strategies and a central element in achieving sustainable progress.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum reflects this direction by bringing together leading figures from government, the private sector, and international organizations on a shared platform that encourages cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the development of leadership expertise.
