Nearly 3,000 leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia gathered for the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, which took place in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19–23, 2026, with the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue." With over 400 political leaders and top CEOs attending roughly 200 sessions, the forum intended to address current worldwide problems ranging from economic development and peace to technology and climate.
The conversations were heavily influenced by geopolitics. Other world leaders and business executives responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks and policy changes, which dominated headlines, particularly with regard to Greenland tariffs and U.S.-European relations. The forum was used by European analysts and officials to advocate for greater collaboration and more transparent multilateral engagement in a shifting global order.
Furthermore, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga to discuss strengthening strategic development partnerships and expanding long-term financing support for growth and investment.
Also, jobs and technology were also major themes. To increase economic resilience and prevent job displacement, leaders and experts emphasized the necessity of investing in AI, workforce skills, and innovation. The forum reflected a larger trend of emphasizing workable solutions to bring prosperity within social and planetary boundaries rather than just risks.
Saudi Arabia’s National Infrastructure Fund and AI leader HUMAIN agreed a $1.2 billion financing framework to expand AI and digital infrastructure, the MENA region's economic development was particularly noteworthy. According to Egypt's Finance Minister, private investment in the nation increased by 73% during the previous year, which is indicative of initiatives to enhance the investment climate and draw in more capital for business expansion.
In Morocco, Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, addressed issues around Morocco’s robust economic base, as well as fiscal measures which were supportive of investment. In China, Vice Premier He Lifeng announced measures targeted at increasing domestic demand as well as imports, all in pursuit of promoting international economic cooperation. The French President Emmanuel Macron called for an increase in investments, particularly in technology as well as manufacturing, with an aim towards promoting growth. In Qatar, its Prime Minister, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, spoke about sustaining economic growth. The Canadian PM, Mr. Mark Carney, emphasized the significance of cooperation between middle-power countries in support of robust development strategies.
