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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has detailed the main themes and priorities for the World Investment Forum 2026 as the event prepares to open in Doha, according to a statement from the ministry. The gathering, a joint effort between Qatar and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, will run from October 25 to 27 and draw more than 5,000 participants ranging from heads of government to business executives. Discussions will center on directing capital toward broader development goals while addressing challenges such as geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change that are reshaping global capital flows.
Global foreign direct investment reached 1.6 trillion dollars in 2025, yet more than 80 percent flowed to just 20 economies, a concentration that UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026 highlights as a barrier to inclusive growth. The ministry’s outline positions the forum as a platform to tackle this imbalance by exploring how investment can support economic resilience and sustainable progress across more regions. Officials emphasized Qatar’s commitment to strengthening its role as a hub that connects international investors with opportunities in emerging sectors.
Seven thematic tracks will structure the program, the ministry reported, covering areas that include artificial intelligence infrastructure, support for entrepreneurship and small businesses, updates to investment policies, sustainable finance mechanisms, climate and ocean initiatives, tourism and cultural projects, and new frontiers such as the space economy. For the first time the agenda incorporates sessions on channeling capital into peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction, drawing on experiences from fragile states. These tracks aim to convert high-level dialogue into practical partnerships that expand access to strategic investments.
A dedicated high-level session on the future of investment in the Gulf region will feature prominently, organized in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, according to the ministry. Participants will examine promising sectors across member states, review policies designed to draw capital, and assess avenues for deeper economic integration that reinforce the area’s standing as a global investment center. The ministry noted that such exchanges align with Qatar’s broader push to diversify its economy and foster private-sector expansion through targeted reforms.
Nearly 50 ministers along with four prime ministers and four deputy prime ministers are expected to attend the forum, the ministry stated, joining more than 400 speakers across over 80 sessions. Two ministerial roundtables will focus specifically on investment and entrepreneurship to help set policy directions for the coming years. Awards recognizing excellence in investment promotion and women’s entrepreneurship will also form part of the program.
The ministry’s participation as an official partner reflects its mandate to improve the business climate, attract quality foreign direct investment and promote innovation across key industries. By hosting the event, Qatar seeks to facilitate concrete outcomes that extend beyond discussion, including new collaborations that support developing economies in areas such as digital transformation and green energy. Further details on side events and partnership announcements are anticipated as the forum commences.
