A new global network launching at COP31 aims to channel more carbon market investment towards climate projects, particularly in developing countries.Carbon pricing is expanding, but fragmented markets, inconsistent standards and concerns over credit quality are limiting the potential to mobilize finance.Convened by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Network will bring together exchanges, financial institutions and other market actors to improve transparency, strengthen trust and facilitate cross-border transactions.
Ahead of major climate talks at COP31, UNCTAD analysis shows how trade policies can help countries cut emissions, strengthen economic resilience and create new development opportunities.
A stronger multilateral trading system, deeper South-South cooperation and sustainable industrial partnerships are key to helping developing countries navigate a global economy in flux.
Expanding the use of alternatives to conventional plastics could help reduce plastic pollution, while opening new business and trade opportunities for developing economies.Global exports of non-plastic substitutes stood at $484 billion in 2024, 14% below their 2022 peak and much less than half the $1.1 trillion traded in plastics.Developing economies accounted for 42% of exports, up from roughly a quarter in 2005. But value-added products represented only 35% of global trade in non-plastic substitutes.
Partnerships that help manage investment risks and turn project ideas into viable opportunities are crucial to mobilizing finance for sustainable development.
Risk-sharing proposal, AI investment tools, policy reforms and new partnerships aim to bring more capital to developing economies as investment projects decline.
The initiative, led by UNCTAD and partners, aims to help special economic zones become greener, more resource-efficient and more attractive for sustainable investment.
Investment in the wider ecosystem, including affordable connectivity, research and skills, will be crucial to making the benefits of AI more inclusive.
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.
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.
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.
The Secretariat of the World Investment Forum is the Division on Investment and Enterprise at UN Trade and Development. The Division is led by Director Nan Li-Collins and is the focal point within the United Nations systems for all issues related to investment and enterprise development. It conducts cutting-edge policy analysis, provides technical assistance and builds international consensus on investment and enterprise.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan launched theWorld Investment Report 2025 during a press conference in Geneva on 19 June 2025.
UNCTAD’s 8th Women in Business Awards honoured successful entrepreneurs from developing countries who are driving positive change for people and the planet.
UNCTAD's 8th World Investment Forum underscored the sector's pivotal role in bridging the $4 trillion annual investment gap developing countries face to achieve the Global Goals, especially for food security and biodiversity protection.
The call was issued on the second day of the 8th World Investment Forum and underscores the vital need for capital in developing countries, where substantial growth opportunities exist.
With over 735 million people facing hunger globally, $680 billion is needed annually from now until 2030 to revamp agrifood systems in low and middle-income countries.
