Global Encounters Festival opens in Dubai with powerful call for unity and coexistence

Over 4,000 young artists, athletes from 50+ countries gather to celebrate culture, unity

Global Encounter Festival opens in Dubai. Over 4,000 young artists and athletes from 50+ countries gather to celebrate culture, unity.

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Dubai: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the Global Encounters Festival 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming over 4,000 youth from across 50 nations to a weeklong celebration of culture, sports, and shared humanity. The event hosted by the Ismaili Communituy in the UAE, positions Dubai as a global hub for large-scale, purpose-driven gatherings. More than 25,000 Ismaili community members from around the world have gathered in Dubai to attend the event.

Guests at the opening ceremony of Global Encounter Festival in Dubai

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Under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the festival runs from July 20—27 across venues in Dubai, offering a dynamic blend of athletic competitions, artistic showcases, concerts, exhibitions, and immersive cultural experiences.

In his keynote remarks at the opening ceremony on Sunday, Sheikh Nahyan praised the festival’s role in uniting people through diversity and mutual respect. “You have assembled in Dubai under our country’s welcoming Arab tent that has sheltered a peaceful and innovative population at this global crossroads. This city and this country are showing the world that people from different nations, different ethnicities, different religions, and different cultures can live and work together in peace and harmony, in an environment marked by understanding, respect, and shared values,” he said.

Sheikh Nahyan also emphasised the unifying power of sports and the arts: “We in the UAE cherish the bridges that sports and the arts build between peoples and nations. They are important catalysts for peace, coexistence, and harmony in the world.”

Global Encounter Festival records huge participation from around the world

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Reflecting on his past involvement with the Jubilee Games in 2016, Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the growth of the Festival and its positive global impact: “I am glad to see how much the Festival has grown. Its focus on arts and sports reminds us that accomplishment comes from effort and persistence, and that these fields promote joy, friendship, and goodwill.”

He extended praise to the event hosts. “I congratulate the Prince Aga Khan Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates. They give us an opportunity to express our admiration for the strong commitment and success of the Ismaili community, under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan, to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding in the world.”

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A message of global solidarity

In a recorded video message, Prince Rahim Aga Khan thanked the UAE for its warm welcome and long-standing partnership with the Ismaili Imamat. “To fulfil our potential as creatives or athletes is to realise a blessing,” he said. “Sport and arts are not only beautiful, they have the unique power to build bridges.”

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “Hosting the Global Encounters Festival aligns with Dubai’s wider economic agenda. It reinforces our position as a magnet for talent, innovation, and global collaboration.”

Mahir Julfar, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) said: “We are proud to host the Global Encounters Festival 2025, a large-scale, purpose-driven event that reflects our enduring commitment to operational excellence and global collaboration. With over 25,000 visitors expected, DWTC is well-positioned to deliver a world-class experience that matches the ambition and energy of this remarkable youth-led gathering."

Inspiring the next generation

Malik Talib, Chair of the Ismaili Leaders’ International Forum, underscored the Festival’s impact on youth empowerment: “The Global Encounters Festival exemplifies the spirit of unity, service, and excellence that the Ismaili community aspires to worldwide. It offers young people a powerful platform to express their talents, build friendships, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”

The festival aims to empower the next generation of changemakers, nurturing artists, athletes and civic leaders who are not only pursuing excellence but also driving social impact, climate action, and intercultural understanding.

“This is more than an event. It’s a living example of what’s possible when young people from around the world come together with purpose,”

“Dubai, with its visionary leadership and unmatched cultural energy, is the ideal home for this global celebration.” said Talib.