The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced that the eleventh edition of the Knowledge Summit will take place on November 17 and 18, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is set to address pressing global issues under the theme ‘Knowledge: Navigating Crises in a Changing World.’
Quick Facts
- Event: 11th Knowledge Summit
- Date: November 17-18, 2026
- Focus: Using knowledge to manage global crises
- Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
A Platform for Crisis-Driven Innovation
The 2026 summit arrives as the world experiences significant economic, technological, and social shifts. The event aims to establish new, knowledge-based models that can effectively respond to various crises and turn them into opportunities for sustainable growth. It will bring together decision-makers, experts, and specialists from around the world to share perspectives and develop practical solutions to global challenges.
The summit also reinforces the role of Dubai and the UAE as a global hub for leveraging knowledge to manage and anticipate crises, supported by agile policies and a forward-looking vision. The event serves as an ecosystem connecting government, the private sector, academic institutions, and youth to foster innovations that align with sustainable development goals.
Knowledge as a Strategic Pillar
His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, emphasized the event’s timeliness and strategic importance.
“Knowledge Summit 2026 comes at an opportune time, as there is a pressing need to re-evaluate how we tackle global challenges, by adopting innovative, knowledge-based solutions that can keep pace with the rapid global transformations,” he stated.
“Aligning with our wise leadership’s vision, we firmly believe that knowledge is a key strategic pillar for enhancing our preparedness as well as building a more resilient and sustainable future. The Summit will help sustain our ongoing momentum in transforming knowledge from a theoretical framework into practical applications by promoting global dialogue, expertise exchange, and launching quality initiatives and partnerships.”
Celebrating Knowledge Leaders and Measuring Global Progress
This year’s event will feature the ninth edition of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA), which recognizes creative individuals, researchers, thinkers, and institutions for their contributions to knowledge dissemination.
Additionally, the summit will unveil the results of the ‘Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2026’. Now in its tenth edition, the GKI is a key international benchmark for measuring the state of the knowledge landscape and monitoring nations’ progress toward innovation-based economies.
About the Knowledge Summit
The Knowledge Summit is an annual event organized by the MBRF and UNDP. It serves as a global platform for dialogue and expertise exchange, aimed at developing practical solutions and strengthening international cooperation to address global challenges. The summit facilitates the launch of new ventures and strategic partnerships that support education and enable knowledge economies to achieve sustainable growth.
Source: Zawya
