Brief
Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan named World Economic Forum executive fellow for science and innovation
The appointment highlights the UAE's growing role in global sustainability and climate dialogue, according to Gulf News.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The World Economic Forum announced on 13 October that Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan has been appointed executive fellow of its Science, Discovery and Innovation pillar for the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, which runs from 13 to 15 October in Abu Dhabi.
What happened
Sheikha Shamma, who chairs Frontier25, The Climate Tribe, Aurora50, Alliance for Global Sustainability and Reset MENA, will serve a one‑year term providing thought leadership and strategic guidance on science and innovation. The Annual Meeting, a flagship of the UAE‑WEF partnership, brings together more than 700 leaders from 90 countries, including ministers, senior officials, 300 Young Global Leaders and 150 UAE government representatives.
What the reports add
Gulf News notes that the appointment is described as an "international recognition of the role played by Emirati leaders in shaping the future" and emphasizes Sheikha Shamma’s influence on sustainability, climate action and social impact. The outlet also details the meeting’s six strategic themes – Artificial Intelligence, Technology & Human Agency; Science, Discovery and Innovation; Economic Growth; Geopolitics, Security & Trade; Leadership and Human Flourishing; and Climate, Nature and Sustainability – and the expected attendance of over 700 leaders.
What was said
Sheikha Shamma told Gulf News, "It's an honour to be selected by the World Economic Forum and to have the opportunity to engage with other distinguished experts in their respective fields. I have always believed that the knowledge and stories we exchange shape the future we are building. This is more important now than ever before in the context of climate action, where the question is how fast can we scale solutions and how fairly do we support others." She added, "I look forward to sharing what we're learning from our work in the UAE with the world, and to using this platform to help more people, from classrooms to boardrooms, see themselves as part of the solution."
How it came about
Sheikha Shamma joined the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders community in 2023, a group of roughly 100 high‑impact leaders worldwide. Her appointment follows the UAE’s strategic partnership with the Forum, which has hosted previous Global Future Leaders meetings and seeks to position the country as a hub for climate and innovation dialogue.
Key facts
- Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan was appointed executive fellow of the WEF's Science, Discovery and Innovation pillar. (gulfnews.com)
- The appointment covers a one‑year term providing thought leadership and strategic guidance. (gulfnews.com)
- The Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders 2026 runs from 13‑15 October in Abu Dhabi and will host over 700 leaders from 90 countries. (gulfnews.com)
- Sheikha Shamma has chaired Frontier25, The Climate Tribe, Aurora50, Alliance for Global Sustainability and Reset MENA. (gulfnews.com)
- She joined the WEF’s Young Global Leaders community in 2023. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan Appointed Executive Fellow at World Economic Forum's Global Future Leaders Initiative”
