The Global Governance Summit 2026 – G[P]RC concluded its fourth edition in Dubai on August 27, 2026, with the participation of the UAE Ministry of Defence, represented by the Office of H.H. the Minister of Defence, as part of the Ministry’s strategic partnership with the summit.
Held over two days at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, the summit brought together more than 800 senior officials, experts and specialists from the UAE and around the world to discuss the evolving landscape of governance, risk management, compliance and organisational performance.
Held under the theme “Driving Success: Integrating GRC with Strategy Execution in a Hyperconnected World,” the summit featured the participation of prominent government and business leaders and international experts. Discussions focused on the rapid transformations taking place across governance, risk and compliance, while highlighting the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping risk management, compliance, decision-making and organisational resilience.
Day One
The first day featured the participation of several prominent figures, including H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government; Commodore Rashed Ibrahim Rashed Al Muhaysini of the UAE Ministry of Defence; H.E. Raja Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI); and Tor Inge Vasshus, Founder and CEO of Corporater, Norway.
The summit also examined the transition from traditional governance and compliance models based primarily on documentation and oversight towards more advanced approaches that integrate risk management and compliance directly into institutional strategies, decision-making processes and business objectives.
The first day’s agenda featured a series of high-level panel discussions with representatives from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI). The sessions explored global and regional best practices in developing governance, risk and compliance frameworks and linking them to organisational performance.
Specialised Exhibition and Workshops
Alongside its panel discussions, the summit featured an accompanying exhibition showcasing the latest systems, solutions and innovations in governance, risk management, compliance and organisational performance. The exhibition brought together leading specialised companies and provided participants with an opportunity to explore advanced technologies and practices supporting the development of corporate governance frameworks.
The programme also included a series of specialised workshops addressing key topics related to governance, risk management and compliance. The workshops highlighted current challenges, best practices and practical solutions, providing opportunities for participants and experts to exchange knowledge and experience.
Biju Saith, Chairman of the Summit’s Organising Committee, said the summit serves as a strategic platform for redefining the role of governance, risk and compliance and transforming them from traditional oversight functions into key drivers of innovation, growth and institutional sustainability.
He noted that the summit brings together more than 800 participants from the UAE and around the world to promote a corporate culture in which risk management and compliance are effectively integrated into operations and strategies, strengthening institutions’ ability to respond to challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
Day Two
The second and final day featured a series of panel discussions, keynote addresses and specialised sessions focusing on the future of governance, risk management, compliance and organisational performance, as well as the role of technology and AI in strengthening institutions’ ability to navigate rapidly changing conditions.
Participants discussed the importance of adopting integrated models that connect governance, risk, compliance and performance with strategy execution. Such approaches contribute to improving decision-making, enhancing efficiency and institutional resilience, and supporting the achievement of strategic objectives in an increasingly interconnected and constantly evolving business environment.
The day’s sessions addressed several key areas, including Artificial Intelligence, digital governance, cybersecurity, institutional resilience, strategic risk management, compliance, sustainability and performance measurement. They also highlighted practical experiences and international models for developing corporate governance frameworks.
The discussions emphasised that technological developments, particularly AI, have become a key factor in reshaping risk management and decision-making. At the same time, participants stressed the importance of strengthening governance frameworks and controls to ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies.
The second day also provided an important platform for executives, decision-makers and experts to exchange knowledge and experience and strengthen dialogue between the government and private sectors, contributing to the development of best practices and the creation of institutions better equipped to respond to future challenges.
The summit concluded by emphasising that effective governance is no longer simply a framework for oversight and compliance, but has become a fundamental pillar of decision-making, strategy execution, sustainable performance, risk management and institutional competitiveness.
The Organising Committee expressed its appreciation to all sponsors, strategic partners, supporters, speakers, participants and attendees for their contributions to the success of the summit and the advancement of its objectives and mission.
With the conclusion of its second day, the Global Governance Summit 2026 brought its fourth edition in Dubai to a close following two days of dialogue and knowledge exchange. The summit reaffirmed its position as an international platform bringing together leaders and experts to discuss the future of governance, risk, compliance, performance and strategy execution in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world.
Coverage: Razi Izzeddine El Hadmi – Photography: Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi
