The 9th World Investment Forum (WIF) 2026 officially commenced in Doha on October 25, convening global leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of international investment. Hosted by Qatar in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the event runs through October 27 and centers on the theme “Investing in the Future.”
A flag-raising ceremony held in Doha on the eve of the forum marked the opening of the event. The ceremony featured the flags of both the State of Qatar and the United Nations and was attended by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed, alongside Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General of UNCTAD. The occasion underscored Qatar’s commitment to facilitating international dialogue and cooperation on investment and development.
Doha’s hosting of the forum reaffirms its role as a significant platform for global economic discussion. The city previously marked a milestone in 2012 when it hosted the 13th session of the UNCTAD conference — the first such event held in an Arab country — further embedding Qatar within the international trade and investment arena.
Over three days, WIF 2026 will feature 108 sessions and dialogues with 406 speakers, spanning eight thematic tracks. These range from investment in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and small and medium-sized enterprises, to sustainable finance, tourism, climate and environmental concerns, and the promotion of investment through special economic zones.
The forum attracts a diverse mix of participants, including heads of state, ministers, policymakers, CEOs, business leaders, sovereign wealth fund executives, and representatives of international organizations. Together, they aim to exchange insights and develop initiatives that can enhance investment flows and foster cross-border cooperation.
Organizers emphasize that the event seeks to address the rapid transformations occurring in the global economy, aiming to translate emerging opportunities into concrete projects and investments. As such, WIF 2026 stands as a key venue for advancing practical solutions to shape the future of global investment and support sustainable development worldwide.