Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), officially inaugurated the first Middle East edition of the Doers Summit 2025 at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Summit is one of the largest platforms connecting innovative startups, investors, and technology leaders from Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It is being held from 26-27 November 2025. The event, hosted in collaboration with The Doers Company, welcomed over 2,500 participants and over 150 global speakers on its opening day. The agenda included high-level keynotes, panel discussions, and networking sessions focused on AI, fintech, digital infrastructure, climate tech, and sustainable mobility.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Entrepreneurship Council; Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai; and Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, among others. Al Marri emphasized the UAE's development of a competitive entrepreneurship ecosystem under the guidance of its leadership, facilitating growth opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovative ventures.
The UAE has launched initiatives like 'The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World', 'Future 100', and the 'Thabat' programme to establish the country as a global hub for entrepreneurship and startups. These initiatives aim to enhance the UAE's economic and legislative framework, benefiting entrepreneurs and startup founders. Al Marri noted that small and medium-sized enterprises make up 95 percent of all operating companies in the UAE, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai leading the region in venture capital investments.
Dr. Nicodemos Damianou highlighted Dubai's role as a global centre for innovation and technology, emphasizing its supportive environment for startups and large enterprises. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, stated that the Summit serves as a global platform for entrepreneurship, innovation, and the digital economy, aligning with Dubai's economic goals.
The Summit featured sessions on AI, fintech, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and mobility, showcasing successful case studies from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Uri Levine, Co-founder of Waze, shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of solving real problems.
The event also included discussions on modern technologies driving transformation and creating new opportunities, with a focus on impact-focused investment strategies. Stylianos Lambrou, co-founder of The DOERS Company and The Doers Summit, expressed satisfaction with the Summit's successful first day, noting the high level of engagement and the potential growth opportunities in Dubai and the region.
Held annually in Limassol and Athens, the Doers Summit's Dubai debut offered a strategic platform to shape the future of the digital economy and explore the convergence of innovation, technology, and sustainable development.