Knowledge Summit 2025: A Roadmap for Building Sustainable Communities
Dubai will host the 10th edition of the Knowledge Summit 2025, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) on 19–20 November at the Dubai World Trade Center. This year’s Summit takes place under the theme “Knowledge Markets: Advancing Sustainable Communities”, serving as a global platform that brings together policymakers, thinkers, and innovators from over 100 countries to discuss the future of knowledge and development.
The Summit aims to highlight effective mechanisms for turning knowledge into tangible economic and social value. It will also showcase best practices and successful global experiences in artificial intelligence, the knowledge economy, and sustainable development, supporting efforts to build prosperous and sustainable communities worldwide.
Key Updates in the Global Knowledge Index 2025
One of the Summit’s highlights will be the announcement of the Global Knowledge Index 2025 results. This year’s edition features a comprehensive methodological update to enhance accuracy, cross-country comparability, and adaptability to rapid global transformations in the knowledge sector. The 2025 edition includes 195 countries, 6 sub-sector indices, and 115 indicators, providing a more effective tool for policymakers to design both short- and long-term strategies to address challenges and strengthen knowledge economies.
Future Skills Academy: Inspiring Success Stories
One year after its official launch, the Knowledge Summit will host top learners from the Future Skills Academy. Winners of the “Best Learner” and “Career Achievement” competitions will share inspiring insights from their learning journeys and success stories, aiming to motivate new participants. Visitors to the exhibition will also learn how to register for the initiative and receive guidance and support by visiting the Knowledge Project booth at the event.
Summit Sessions Highlights
The Knowledge Summit 2025 agenda features 45 sessions covering the latest global trends and challenges. Key session titles include: Where Ideas Meet People: The Power of Knowledge Markets, The DNA of Knowledge Markets: Data, Networks, Access, Propelling Economies Toward Growth, Dynamism and Resilience, Reimagining Multilateralism in a Fragmented World, The Role of Women in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Knowledge Markets, Changing Minds, Changing Habits: Driving Behaviour for a Sustainable Future, Arabic Language and AI: Indicators, Applications, and Prospects, and AI-Powered World: The Next Human Revolution, Emails Can Wait (Unless You’re a Heart Surgeon)
View the full agenda: Click here
Knowledge Policy Roundtables
For the first time, the Summit will host eight roundtables, bringing together government officials, private sector representatives, experts, academics, and innovators to discuss knowledge policy topics shaping the future.
Roundtable topics:
- Inclusive Digital and AI Governance for Resilient Economics
- Development Intelligence as the Operating System for More Effective Decision-Making
- Micro-Credentials: The New Currency of Learning
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Impact of Data Science on Policy and Governance
- Advancing Gender Equality in Tomorrow's Labour Markets
These sessions provide in-depth discussions on future-defining topics such as knowledge and skills, youth and development, digital transformation, and innovative solutions for pressing challenges. They are organized in collaboration with strategic partners, including ISESCO, Coursera, and the American University of Beirut.
Register for the roundtables: Click here
Global Speakers
The Summit features 130 speakers, including thought leaders, business and development executives, representing over 100 countries. Notable speakers include:
- H.E. Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations, and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, UNDP
- Dr. Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO)
- Dr. Nasser Bakr Alkahtani, Executive Director of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)
- Leo Tilman, Chairman and CEO of Agilion Systems
- Harrison Lung, Group Chief Strategy Officer at e&
- Adam Smith, Director of Open Science Consulting Limited and Chief Scientific Officer at Nobel Prize Outreach AB
- Alexis Jean-Baptiste, Chief Data Analytics & AI Officer at L'Oréal Middle East
- Dr. David Guttman, Writer and Conversationalist
- Dr. Khaled Ghattas, Head of Planning & Operations – MEA, SANOFI, UAE
View all speakers: Click here