The Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg and organized in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced its lineup of speakers for the QEF: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The exclusive leadership event is scheduled for September 20 in New York, coinciding with the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The gathering aims to bring together a diverse group of global leaders, policymakers, investors, and business executives to discuss critical issues shaping the current geopolitical and economic landscape. The forum’s theme, “Growth on New Terms: Capital, Risk and Resilience,” will focus on the impact of geopolitical uncertainties, evolving capital and trade flows, as well as shifts in the energy and technology sectors on global growth and investment patterns.
Key participants include prominent figures from Qatar’s government and economy, such as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, who also serves as President and CEO of QatarEnergy; Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari; CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi; and Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani.
The forum will also feature leading international voices from the finance and business sectors, including Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies; Jane Fraser, chair and CEO of Citi; David M. Solomon, chairman and CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group; and Marc Rowan, co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Apollo Global Management.
Karen Saltser, CEO of Bloomberg Media, emphasized the significance of the event, stating that the global economy is undergoing a transformation driven by new centers of influence and investment ambitions, with the Middle East playing a critical role. She added that Bloomberg is dedicated to promoting perspectives emerging from the region and sees this special edition of the Qatar Economic Forum as a platform for vital discussions at a key moment for global leadership.
Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC), highlighted Qatar’s longstanding commitment to facilitating meaningful dialogue among leaders during periods of global change and uncertainty. He explained that hosting the forum alongside the UN General Assembly enhances its global reach and offers a unique opportunity to connect voices from Qatar and the wider region with international policymakers and stakeholders.
The QEF: UNGA Special Edition 2026 is positioned to serve as a strategic venue for addressing pressing economic challenges while exploring avenues for resilient and sustainable growth amidst evolving global dynamics.