Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, met with Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo, the autonomous driving technology subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the second day of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026, which is being held over three days until 5th February at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The discussions centered around global trends in artificial intelligence, smart mobility technologies, and autonomous vehicles, with a focus on opportunities for knowledge exchange and the deployment of advanced technological solutions to enhance the efficiency of transport systems and support sustainable development.
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum emphasized the importance of keeping pace with rapid technological transformation and the role of strategic global partnerships in accelerating innovation and enhancing the quality of life. The meeting underscored the WGS's status as an international platform that connects government leaders and decision-makers with technology pioneers, facilitating the exchange of insights on the future of government work and the development of policies for emerging technologies and smart mobility.
Mawakana highlighted the WGS's role in fostering dialogue between governments and global technology companies. She reaffirmed Waymo's commitment to strengthening cooperation to advance autonomous vehicle technologies aimed at improving transport efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
The meeting was attended by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority; and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
