Qatar to Host World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha

Doha is preparing to welcome the ninth World Investment Forum (WIF) from October 25 to 27, 2026, bringing together policymakers, global investors, business leaders and international financial institutions for one of the world’s leading investment gatherings.

Organised by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in partnership with the State of Qatar, the three-day forum will be held under the theme “Investing in the Future.” It will focus on how global investment systems can respond to geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, climate pressures and changing economic conditions.

Global Investment Leaders to Gather in Doha

The World Investment Forum is UNCTAD’s flagship platform for investment and development, bringing together participants from governments, the private sector, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and international organisations.

The 2026 edition is expected to feature senior government officials, CEOs, investors and representatives from more than 160 countries. Around 20 government ministers and 20 heads of international organisations have already confirmed their participation, according to UNCTAD officials cited by The Peninsula.

The forum will include Global Leaders Plenaries, ministerial roundtables, a Sustainable Stock Exchanges Dialogue, a dedicated session on investment in the Gulf region and a global investment promotion conference.

AI, Energy and Infrastructure Among Key Topics

WIF 2026 will examine a broad range of strategic sectors that are reshaping global investment.

Key areas expected to feature prominently include:

•    Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
•    Infrastructure investment
•    Energy security and energy transition
•    Critical minerals
•    Sustainable and climate finance
•    Tourism and culture
•    The space economy
•    Entrepreneurship and investment promotion

The forum is designed to connect high-level policy discussions with practical investment opportunities and partnerships, while encouraging long-term value creation and economic resilience.

Qatar Positioned as Regional Investment Hub

UNCTAD has highlighted Qatar’s growing role in global investment and international cooperation.

Nan Li Collins, Director of UNCTAD’s Division on Investment and Enterprise, said the organisation has been working with major Qatari institutions, including Invest Qatar and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), as part of preparations for the forum.

More than 15 Qatari organisations are expected to participate across specialised tracks covering areas such as energy, climate finance and investment development.

Officials said Qatar’s position as a diplomatic and economic hub makes Doha a timely venue for global discussions at a period marked by geopolitical fragmentation and shifting capital flows.

Global FDI Reached $1.6 Trillion in 2025

The forum will also spotlight findings from the World Investment Report 2026, which points to an uneven recovery in global foreign direct investment.

According to figures cited by The Peninsula, global FDI increased by 6% to around $1.6 trillion in 2025.

However, the recovery was concentrated mainly in developed economies, where inflows grew by 11%, while developing economies recorded growth of only around 2%.

More than 80% of global FDI reportedly flowed to the 20 largest recipient economies, highlighting the continuing concentration of international investment.

Strategic sectors have also attracted a growing share of investment. Industries considered critical to technology, energy and supply-chain resilience accounted for a significantly larger portion of global greenfield investment value in 2025 than they did five years earlier.

Focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Investment

Against a backdrop of tighter financial conditions, changing supply chains and rapid technological transformation, WIF 2026 will seek to explore how investment can contribute to sustainable growth and broader economic opportunity.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan has emphasised that investment should increasingly support long-term development, resilience and shared prosperity rather than focusing solely on short-term capital flows.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ahmad Al-Sayed, has also said Doha aims to serve as a place where public and private-sector stakeholders can work together to shape the future of investment.

Doha Set for Major Global Forum

With the World Investment Forum scheduled for October 25–27, 2026, Doha is set to become a focal point for international discussions on capital, technology, sustainability and development.

The event is expected to reinforce Qatar’s position as an important destination for global investment dialogue while creating opportunities for governments, businesses and investors to develop new partnerships and explore emerging markets.

Source: UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)