Investing in the future
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the State of Qatar.
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Today’s investment patterns are shaping tomorrow’s trade map
Where investment goes today will shape who produces, supplies, innovates and trades tomorrow. Across the world, companies are directing growing shares of capital towards AI infrastructure, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean technologies. These are not only attracting investment—they are shaping the productive capacity, supplier networks and digital infrastructure behind future trade, while also influencing the comparative advantages that will determine future export resilience, competitiveness and, ultimately, trade flows.
World Investment Forum 2026 in Qatar to take place from 25-27 October 2026
The State of Qatar and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) today announced that the 9th World Investment Forum (WIF) will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 25 to 27 October 2026.The announcement was made jointly by H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.WIF is the world’s leading platform for investment and development, convening stakeholders from more than 160 countries, including heads of state, ministers, CEOs, business leaders, sovereign wealth fund executives and representatives of international organizations.Investing in the futureUnder the theme ‘Investing in the Future’, WIF 2026 will examine how investment and finance systems must evolve in response to geopolitical fragmentation, climate urgency and rapid technological change. The Forum will look beyond short-term capital flows to focus on long-term value creation, productive capacity, and economic resilience.WIF 2026 will advance key global initiatives, by linking high-level policy dialogue to concrete action.“At a time of growing fragmentation and uncertainty, investment must once again become a driver of shared prosperity,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. “WIF 2026 will focus on how to align capital with long-term development, resilience, and opportunity.“We are proud to announce Qatar as the host of the World Investment Forum 2026. We intend for Doha to be a place of action, where public and private actors come together to shape the future of investment. We stand ready to partner with UNCTAD on this journey.” said H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar.A platform for action“At World Investment Forum, public and private leaders work together to turn long-term vision into investment action” said Nan Li Collins, Director of Investment and Enterprise at UNCTAD and Head of the World Investment Forum.The Forum’s programme will include the Global Leaders Investment Summit, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Global Dialogue, the Investment and Enterprise Ministerial Roundtable, and sessions on climate finance, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.Further details on the programme, participation and registration will be announced in due course and shared via the World Investment Forum website.UN Trade and Development and the State of Qatar look forward to welcoming the global investment community to Doha in October 2026.View the WIF video here.About the World Investment ForumThe World Investment Forum is the United Nations’ leading platform for investment and development, organized biennially by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Since 2008, WIF has convened heads of state, ministers, CEOs, sovereign wealth fund executives, stock exchange leaders, and the international investment community to address pressing challenges in investment for sustainable development. Visit worldinvestmentforum.unctad.orgAbout UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)UN Trade and Development helps developing countries benefit from the global economy more fairly and effectively, providing research, analysis, technical assistance, and consensus-building support on trade, investment, finance, and technology. Visit unctad.orgPicture: H.E. Ambassador Hend Al Muftah, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Geneva; H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, Nan Li Collins, Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise and Head of the World Investment Forum, UN Trade and Development.
9th World Investment Forum set for 2026 in Qatar
The flagship UN platform will scale solutions and partnerships to power sustainable investment globally, ensuring finance fosters inclusive growth and shared prosperity.The 9th World Investment Forum will be hosted by Qatar in 2026, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan announced on 22 October during the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) underway in Geneva, Switzerland.Held biennially by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the forum is the leading global platform for investment and development.The 2026 forum will tackle the world’s most pressing investment challenges at a critical moment of global uncertainty, climate pressure, digital transformation and economic fragmentation.The need for inclusive growth, resilient economies and climate-smart finance is greater than ever.“Investment is about trust – trust in the future, trust in partnership, trust in shared prosperity,” said Secretary-General Grynspan.“How can we forge multi-stakeholder coalitions that channel sustainable finance where it's needed most.”The 2026 forum will build on the deliberations of UNCTAD16, notably its Business Leaders Dialogue, and advance other key global initiatives such as the UN Summit of the Future.“The 9th World Investment Forum in Qatar will bring together influential voices from across government, business and finance to shape the future of sustainable investment,” notes Nan Li Collins, UNCTAD director of investment and enterprise, also serving as head of the World Investment Forum.Strong partnership for sustainable developmentLooking ahead to the forum, host country Qatar reaffirms its commitment to advancing multilateral dialogue and mobilizing investment for shared prosperity.“We view this not simply as a ceremonial role, but as a substantive commitment to ensuring that WIF 2026 is action-oriented, inclusive and catalytic,” said Ahmad Mohamed A.Y. Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar.“Let us seize this moment of global challenge as an opportunity, to rewire investment toward resilience, equity and shared prosperity. Qatar stands ready to host, catalyze and partner in this journey,” the minister added.Further details about the World Investment Forum 2026 will follow in the coming months, follow itsofficial websitefor updates.
Key WIF 2026 Speakers
H.E. Hon. Viliame R. Gavoka
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Republic of Fiji
H.E. Mr. Serik Zhumangarin
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of National Economy, Republic of Kazakhstan
Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General, World Trade Organization
H.E. Mr. Mamitiana Jeannot Ruffin Rajaonarison
Prime Minister, Republic of Madagascar
H.E. Ms. Shaikha Al Nuwais
Secretary-General, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan
Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development, UNCTAD (on special leave), candidate for UN Secretary-General
Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
Experience WIF Doha 2026.
A short introduction to the world's foremost platform for investment dialogue.
Where capital meets purpose.
Since 2008 the World Investment Forum is the pre-eminent global platform for investment and development - bringing together Heads of Government, Ministers, CEOs and investors under the theme "Investing in the Future".
Unique convening power
High-level plenaries, ministerial roundtables and special events bring together world leaders to set the strategic vision and synthesize priorities for action.
An agenda-shaper
Thematic tracks frame the sessions and connect them to concrete outcomes - tackling the biggest challenges facing international investment today: geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and technological disruption.
A platform for partnerships
Space for partners to co-lead thematic tracks and foster dealmaking - channelling investment into green energy, digital transformation, infrastructure and inclusive economies.
Seven thematic tracks, one agenda.
Three days structured around seven thematic tracks running across the programme, complemented by plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables and high-level summits.
Investing in AI
Strategic investments in the digital economy, including AI.
Track 2 · SMEsEntrepreneurship and SMEs
Trends in sustainable entrepreneurship and resilient digital business models.
Track 3 · PolicyInvestment Policy Dialogue
Adapting investment policies to attract and retain quality investment.
Track 4 · FinanceSustainable Finance and Business
Innovations in sustainable finance, ESG disclosure and SDG-aligned investment.
Track 5 · CultureInvestment in Tourism and Culture
Investment trends across culture, tourism and the broader creative economy.
Track 6 · ClimateClimate, Environment and Oceans
Driving investment in climate-strategic sectors, nature finance and oceans, including for Small Island Developing States.
Track 7 · SEZsInvestment Promotion and Special Economic Zones
Partnerships to promote investments in the industries of tomorrow, from digital to energy transitions.
A global coalition for development.
WIF 2026 is organized by UN Trade and Development and hosted by the State of Qatar, supported by leading institutions and organizations from around the world.
Organizing entity
Host country
Eighteen years of convening.
From Accra 2008 to Doha 2026 — explore eighteen years of the World Investment Forum.
Voices that shaped past forums.
A glimpse of the distinguished leaders and decision-makers who have shaped previous editions of the Forum.
A selection from past editions. The full WIF 2026 speaker list will be published soon.
H.E. Mr. José Ramos-Horta
President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel laureate
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan
Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Why attend.
In a world marked by geopolitical shifts, financial tightening, climate risks and rapid technological change, WIF 2026 offers a unique platform to:
Access investment opportunities
in high-growth and frontier markets
Connect with global capital providers
including sovereign wealth funds, development banks and institutional investors
Engage with policymakers
shaping the next wave of investment and industrial strategies
Position your organization
at the forefront of sustainable and future oriented investment