Dubai: Leaders participating in a panel session at the World Governments Summit 2026 stressed that resilience, rapid reform, innovation, and diversified international partnerships are critical for nations seeking to remain competitive and influential in an increasingly multipolar global system.
According to Emirates News Agency, the session, titled 'From Reform to Results: How Nations Rise', featured Evika Silina, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, and uro Macut, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, and was moderated by Maria Tadeo of Euronews.
Prime Minister Silina noted that Europe faces a defining moment as global power dynamics shift and economic competition intensifies. She highlighted Europe's need to act faster and reduce internal barriers, describing speed as a decisive advantage. Silina emphasized the importance of cutting bureaucracy, enabling innovation, and allowing companies to take calculated risks. She cited Latvia's fully digital public sector as an example of how digital governance can accelerate growth, while urging Europe to move more decisively.
On financing, Prime Minister Silina underscored the need to mobilize large volumes of idle private capital in Europe towards productive investments, particularly in technology. She also called for strengthening partnerships with countries open to cooperation with Europe to maintain global relevance.
Prime Minister Macut stated that Serbia is shaping its future by diversifying international partnerships while maintaining the European Union as its principal economic partner, which accounts for around 70% of Serbian exports. As a non-EU member, Serbia continues to pursue its European path while expanding cooperation with partners in the Middle East, Asia, and the Global South, including the UAE.
Macut remarked on the emergence of new economic centers and the importance of adaptability in today's multipolar world. He highlighted Serbia's focus on information technology, education, science, agriculture, and energy as pillars of sustainable growth, noting strong cooperation with the UAE in infrastructure, technology, and agriculture. On European security, he stressed the priority of ending all conflicts swiftly to enable reform and growth.
The session concluded with speakers emphasizing the growing importance of pragmatic trade and investment partnerships, alongside shared values, as nations adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape.
