Doha: The ninth edition of the World Investment Forum (WIF), organized under the leadership of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from October 25 to 27, 2026. The prestigious international event will return to Doha after a gap of 14 years, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry experts to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), global investment trends, sustainable development, and economic inequality.
The forum is being jointly organized by UNCTAD, the Government of Qatar, and Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Held under the theme “Investing in the Future,” the three-day summit is expected to attract more than 5,000 participants, including government officials, business leaders, international organization representatives, financial experts, and investors from across the world.
The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel will serve as the main venue for the event. More than 80 sessions are planned, featuring over 400 speakers who will lead discussions on emerging investment opportunities, international economic challenges, and strategies for achieving sustainable global growth.
The high-level gathering is expected to include prime ministers from Qatar, Lesotho, Libya, and Madagascar, along with four deputy prime ministers and approximately 50 ministers representing various countries.
Senior officials from major international organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), UN Tourism, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), are also expected to participate.
Representatives from regional economic organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will join the discussions. Their participation is expected to strengthen international economic cooperation and encourage greater investment partnerships across regions.
One of the most significant features of this year’s World Investment Forum will be its special emphasis on artificial intelligence and its growing influence on the global economy.
As AI continues to transform industries, financial markets, and technological infrastructure, organizers have introduced a dedicated discussion track focusing on investment opportunities and policy challenges associated with the technology.
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ahmed Al-Sayed, and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan have highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence in shaping future investment strategies.
For the first time in the forum’s history, a separate track will be dedicated specifically to AI-related investments, technological development, and regulatory considerations.
Discussions are expected to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping global investment patterns, the widening technological gap between developed and developing economies, and the importance of expanding digital infrastructure.
Participants will also explore ways to ensure that the economic benefits of AI are distributed more equitably among countries and communities.
The forum is expected to emphasize that while AI presents enormous investment opportunities, international cooperation is essential to prevent technological advancements from further widening existing economic inequalities.
Reducing disparities in global investment flows will be another major priority of the summit.
According to figures cited in the forum’s background information, global foreign direct investment (FDI) reached approximately $1.6 trillion in 2025. However, more than 80 percent of these investments were concentrated in just 20 economies.
This concentration highlights the difficulties faced by developing and economically vulnerable countries in attracting international capital.
The forum will examine policy reforms and international cooperation mechanisms aimed at ensuring a more balanced distribution of investment resources.
Particular attention will be given to improving investment opportunities in developing economies, strengthening financial institutions, and encouraging private-sector participation in sustainable development projects.
Delegates are also expected to discuss strategies for mobilizing investment in countries facing economic instability, infrastructure shortages, and limited access to international financial markets.
Sustainable financing, reforms to the international financial system, and investment in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction will feature prominently in the forum’s agenda.
Participants will explore innovative financing mechanisms to support long-term development goals, particularly in countries struggling with economic uncertainty and financial constraints.
The discussions will also address the importance of mobilizing public and private capital for infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and economic recovery.
Investment in conflict-affected regions will be another important subject, with delegates examining how international financial support can contribute to reconstruction, stability, and lasting peace.
In addition to traditional investment sectors, the forum will highlight emerging opportunities in the space economy, cultural and creative industries, and advanced technologies.
These rapidly expanding sectors are increasingly attracting international investment and are expected to play an important role in shaping future economic growth.
The summit will also examine opportunities for strengthening public-private partnerships and encouraging cross-border cooperation in emerging industries.
The World Investment Forum 2026 comes at a time when rapid technological advancements, shifting economic priorities, and changing global investment patterns are transforming the international financial landscape.
By bringing together political leaders, international organizations, investors, and industry specialists, the Doha summit aims to encourage dialogue on building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global economy.
Organizers hope the discussions will help narrow investment gaps between developed and developing countries while creating new partnerships to support sustainable economic growth.
With artificial intelligence, sustainable finance, and emerging investment sectors at the forefront of its agenda, the World Investment Forum 2026 is expected to provide an important platform for shaping future international investment policies and strengthening global economic cooperation.
