Dubai will host Knowledge Summit 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November, bringing the 10th edition of this global knowledge gathering back to the city. The summit is scheduled to run from 8:00 to 17:00 on both days, giving participants two full days of discussions, networking and side events. Organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in partnership with UNDP, the event focuses on turning knowledge into tangible social and economic value. This year’s theme, “Knowledge Markets: Developing Sustainable Communities,” places long term community wellbeing at the centre of the agenda. With more than forty five dialogue sessions and around one hundred thirty speakers expected, the programme is designed as a dense but manageable schedule for anyone serious about the future of knowledge economies.
Knowledge Summit history and evolving mission
Over the past decade, the Knowledge Summit has grown into a key platform for decision makers, researchers and innovators who work on knowledge based development. Each edition has focused on a different dimension of the knowledge economy, from youth and innovation to future skills and artificial intelligence. This 10th anniversary summit continues that trajectory while framing knowledge itself as an essential community resource rather than a purely academic concern. Organisers highlight the event as a place where governments, universities, businesses and civil society compare practical approaches instead of simply sharing theories. The summit also maintains its role as a launchpad for flagship publications such as the Global Knowledge Index 2025, which assesses how countries are building and using knowledge today.
Theme and programme highlights for 2025
The 2025 theme, “Knowledge Markets: Developing Sustainable Communities,” focuses on how ideas, data and expertise move between sectors and countries. Sessions are expected to explore modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data, not as buzzwords but as tools for fairer and more resilient economies. Discussions will look at legislation, intellectual property, education, social change and environmental pressures as parts of the same knowledge ecosystem. Side activities like the Authors’ Corner, Knowledge Markets Exhibition and Knowledge Café aim to keep conversations going outside the main halls, while policy roundtables bring ministers, city leaders and experts together behind closed doors. For visitors, this mix offers both big picture talks and very specialised panels across the two days (suitable for solo professionals, policymakers, academics and advanced students).
Dates, timings and daily flow at DWTC
Knowledge Summit 2025 is set for Wednesday 19 November and Thursday 20 November 2025, with the formal programme running between 8:00 and 17:00 each day. Doors usually open shortly before the first morning session, so aim to arrive on site by around 7:30 or just after lunch if you only plan to attend afternoon content. Mornings typically feature high profile keynotes and plenary discussions, followed by parallel panels, interviews and workshops through the middle of the day. Later afternoon slots often host more specialised or technical topics, which suit visitors with a focused interest. Coffee breaks and lunch pauses are built into the agenda, so you can step out to the concourses without missing entire tracks (good for full day attendance or half day drop ins).
Venue layout and access at Zaabeel Halls
For 2025, the summit is scheduled in Zaabeel Halls 1 to 3 at Dubai World Trade Centre, which are connected to the main concourse and nearby parking areas. These halls usually host the plenary stage, multiple breakout areas and exhibition style spaces for knowledge initiatives, start ups and partner institutions. Walking distances inside DWTC can be longer than first time visitors expect, so comfortable shoes are advisable. Clear signage and ushers normally guide guests between sessions, and there are prayer rooms, washrooms and food outlets within short walking distance. The halls are fully indoors and climate controlled, which matters in November when midday sun outside still feels strong. Ramps, elevators and wide corridors make the venue manageable for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility (comfortable for families with older children or anyone needing accessibility support).
Tickets, registration and who should attend
The official summit website currently promotes online registration as free of charge, with a clear “register for free” call to action for delegates. Even with free entry, advance registration is essential because organisers may cap on site access once halls reach capacity. Participants can usually register as individuals or as part of institutional delegations, and confirmation emails often include QR codes or reference numbers for check in. The target audience consists mainly of government officials, corporate leaders, researchers, university staff, media professionals and postgraduate or senior undergraduate students. Content is dense and mostly in a conference format, so it is not particularly engaging for young children (mainly suitable for professionals, solo visitors and older students rather than families with small kids). Remember to carry an official ID, as security teams at DWTC frequently check identification at the entrance.
Getting there from within Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre sits directly on Sheikh Zayed Road and has its own “World Trade Centre” station on the Red Line of Dubai Metro. During weekday mornings, traffic on nearby roads can be heavy, so the metro is usually the fastest and most predictable way to reach the summit between 7:00 and 9:00. From the station, an air conditioned pedestrian bridge leads straight into the complex, which is helpful in warm weather. Taxis and ride hailing cars can drop passengers at the Convention Gate or Zaabeel entrances, but queues are common at 8:00 and again after 17:00. If you are staying along the Red Line corridor in areas like Deira, Business Bay, Dubai Marina or JLT, planning your journey around metro frequencies often saves both time and parking costs (convenient for solo travellers and business groups staying in central hotels).
Travel from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other Emirates
Visitors coming from Abu Dhabi usually drive via the E11 highway, with typical journeys to DWTC taking around ninety minutes in light traffic and potentially longer at peak hours. To avoid delays, consider leaving Abu Dhabi before 6:30 in the morning or aiming for a later arrival after the main rush. Intercity buses from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain arrive at Dubai stations such as Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba, where you can connect directly to the Red Line metro towards World Trade Centre. From Sharjah or Ajman, the most direct choice is to take E11 towards Dubai, then follow signs to DWTC, allowing extra time for slow traffic near the city boundary in the morning. Those who prefer not to drive can use inter emirate buses to Union or BurJuman metro stations, then complete the last part of the trip by metro. This setup makes same day conference visits realistic even from other emirates (works well for solo professionals, academic delegations and small corporate teams).
Parking options and practical money considerations
For drivers, DWTC provides several paid visitor car parks around Zaabeel and the main exhibition streets, with tariffs that typically start from around AED 5 for the first two hours and AED 5 for each additional hour in standard Plaza parking during regular days, although special event rates can be higher. Roadside public parking around the Trade Centre area occasionally switches to premium event tariffs, and past announcements in nearby zones have mentioned temporary charges of up to approximately AED 25 per hour during major exhibitions, so it is wise to check signage carefully. Inside the venue, cafés and quick service outlets usually follow standard Dubai pricing, which means you should budget approximately AED 40 to 80 per person for a simple lunch and coffee. Payment for parking is generally handled through machines or mobile applications, while food outlets accept cards and digital wallets. Because parking areas can fill quickly during large conferences, plan a back up, such as using metro plus a shorter taxi ride, if you arrive after 9:00. (suitable for visitors who prefer to drive from any emirate but want cost control)
Weather, clothing and end of day logistics
Mid November in Dubai is considered the beginning of the cooler season, yet daytime conditions remain warm. Forecasts for Wednesday 19 November indicate mainly sunny weather with afternoon highs around 32 degrees Celsius and lows near 22 degrees, while Thursday 20 November is expected to bring hazy sun with highs close to 33 degrees and lows around 23 degrees, with little chance of rain and no significant mud risk because access paths are paved. Inside DWTC, strong air conditioning can make long sessions feel cool, so a light jacket or scarf over business attire is helpful, while outside you will still want breathable fabrics and comfortable shoes for walking. Traffic near the venue usually peaks around 8:00 in the morning and again from 17:00 to 19:00, so leaving slightly earlier or staying a bit later can make the return trip easier. Public transport remains a strong option, with frequent metro services and plenty of taxis available once the initial post event rush eases. Ticket and parking prices mentioned here are approximate and may change closer to the date, so always check the latest information when planning your budget. According to recent planning notes shared by the editorial team behind www.few.ae, the most relaxed way to enjoy Knowledge Summit 2025 is to combine early registration, metro based travel and flexible departure times so that the focus stays on ideas rather than logistics.
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