GoalKeepers. /PHOTO ;Courtesy
For the first time, Goalkeepers will be held in the Middle East and North Africa region, with Abu Dhabi set to host the landmark edition on 8 December 2025, co-organised by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity and the Gates Foundation.
The event will convene a diverse community of leaders, innovators and partners working to accelerate progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi marks a notable expansion of the platform’s global reach.
Founded by the Gates Foundation in 2017, Goalkeepers was created as a space to energise action and inspire solutions toward the Global Goals, adopted by all UN member states in 2015.
With targets ranging from poverty reduction and better health outcomes to education, climate resilience, and gender equality, the SDGs represent a shared commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030.
Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, expressed optimism about the partnership and its potential to advance solutions for the world’s most urgent challenges.
“I’m excited that Goalkeepers is coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time in December. We’re proud to partner with the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, whose commitment to mothers’ and children’s health and to fighting infectious diseases is saving millions of lives. Together, we’ll bring the spirit of Goalkeepers to the UAE and work to accelerate progress on some of the world’s most urgent challenges,” he said.
For nearly a decade, the flagship Goalkeepers event has been hosted in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Bringing the convening to Abu Dhabi represents both a geographic and strategic shift toward engaging a broader global community at a time when progress on many goals has slowed.
As the host city, Abu Dhabi will serve as a platform for elevating ideas, partnerships and homegrown innovations shaping development across regions.
Beyond the annual convening, Goalkeepers plays a broader role in tracking and inspiring global action.
Each year, the platform publishes a Goalkeepers Report analysing progress across the SDGs, highlighting areas of improvement as well as widening gaps.
The initiative also runs the Goalkeepers Awards, recognising individuals and organisations leading transformative change in their communities or sectors.
Dr. Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Acting Director-General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, said the event aligns with the Foundation’s mission of supporting human development at scale.
“Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi is a moment to celebrate the promise of human potential and to showcase ideas and individuals working to improve lives at scale. In co-hosting Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi, we reflect both our Foundation’s commitment to investing in human potential and opportunity and the UAE’s leadership in building a healthier and brighter future for all,” she said.
Previous Goalkeepers events have featured prominent global figures, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, Queen Rania of Jordan, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and artists such as Ed Sheeran and Bono, who have used the platform to advocate for solutions and share stories of impact.
The blend of performances, storytelling,g and dialogue has helped position the event as a space where ideas are exchanged, and partnerships are born.
As preparations for the 2025 edition continue, Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi is expected to spotlight innovations, evidence-driven solutions, and collaborative efforts aimed at accelerating progress in the final stretch toward 2030.
Hosting the event in the MENA region for the first time signals a wider effort to expand participation, elevate diverse voices, and strengthen global momentum around the SDGs.
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