Saudi Arabia to Host 2026 WEF Summit, Cementing Global Convener Role

DAVOS, Switzerland – January 23, 2026

Saudi Arabia will host the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting in Jeddah on April 22-23, 2026, a move that solidifies the Kingdom's expanding role as a central figure in international diplomacy and economic strategy. The announcement was made today at the closing of the 56th WEF Annual Meeting in Davos by His Excellency Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning.

The high-level meeting, themed 'Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth', aims to tackle pressing global challenges amidst a landscape of increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Minister Alibrahim called for a pragmatic approach to fostering international cooperation.

“Stability can’t be quickly built, and it can’t be bought,” HE Alibrahim stated to an audience of global leaders. “Stability needs to be founded, nurtured, protected, reinforced, and guided. Stability is non-negotiable.”

This event builds on the momentum from a successful WEF Special Meeting held in Riyadh in April 2024, which convened over 1,000 leaders to address the growing North-South divide. WEF President Børge Brende endorsed the deepening partnership, stating, “We are pleased to return to Saudi Arabia in 2026 to carry forward the conversations started at our Annual Meeting – creating space for leaders to work together, build trust, and ensure dialogue leads to meaningful collaboration and action.”

From Oil Kingdom to Global Crossroads

Hosting the 2026 WEF meeting marks another significant step in Saudi Arabia's deliberate transformation from an economy dominated by energy exports to a diversified global hub for dialogue, investment, and innovation. The Kingdom is actively leveraging its strategic location and economic influence to position itself as what Minister Alibrahim described as a “global capital of pragmatism and of consequence.”

This shift is a core component of a broader foreign policy evolution under Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, which prioritizes soft power and strategic autonomy. By convening leaders from developed and developing nations, Saudi Arabia aims to act as a crucial 'connector economy' and a mediator in an increasingly multipolar world. This strategy has been visible in its recent diplomatic efforts, including de-escalating regional tensions and strengthening ties with a diverse range of global powers beyond its traditional Western allies.

The selection of Jeddah, a historic port city on the Red Sea, is symbolic of this role as a crossroads for culture and commerce. The event underscores the Kingdom's ambition to be not just a participant in global conversations but a central architect of their outcomes, moving cooperation, as HE Alibrahim noted, “from intent to outcome, by setting clear expectations, anchoring responsibility, and ultimately, making dialogue count.”

A Platform for Vision 2030

The WEF meeting serves as a powerful catalyst for Saudi Arabia's ambitious national transformation plan, Vision 2030. The agenda of fostering global growth and collaboration aligns perfectly with the Vision's pillars of economic diversification, global partnership, and creating a vibrant society. The forum will provide an unparalleled platform to showcase the tangible progress of its giga-projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya to a concentrated audience of global investors and corporate leaders.

Beyond attracting foreign direct investment, the event supports the Kingdom's goal of building a knowledge-based economy. With significant investments in technology and artificial intelligence, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in scaling AI responsibly. The WEF meeting will facilitate high-level discussions on technology governance, digital transformation, and the future of work, reinforcing the country's credentials as a forward-looking innovator.

International financial institutions have taken note of the progress. The IMF has commended Saudi Arabia's significant strides in economic and financial reforms, particularly the robust growth in its non-oil GDP. The increased labor force participation, especially among women, which has already surpassed its 2030 targets, highlights a profound social and economic transformation that strengthens the nation's overall resilience and global appeal.

Forging Common Ground in a Contested World

The meeting's theme, 'Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth,' could not be more timely. It directly confronts the prevailing headwinds of geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty that challenge the post-war international order. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a unique interlocutor capable of bridging the widening gap between the Global North and South on critical issues like economic policy, climate action, and energy security.

The Kingdom's status as the world's leading oil exporter, combined with its massive investments in renewable energy and green hydrogen, gives it a distinct voice in discussions around the global energy transition. The 2024 Riyadh meeting focused on catalyzing action on energy for development, and the 2026 Jeddah summit is expected to advance this dialogue, seeking pragmatic pathways that ensure both energy security and progress toward sustainability goals.

By bringing diverse perspectives to the table, Saudi Arabia hopes to foster a culture of cooperation that can produce actionable solutions. HE Alibrahim stressed the importance of continuous dialogue, noting, “No single convening, no matter how well intentioned, will resolve every global challenge. But each time, there is an opportunity... for us to build the culture that allows cooperation to function in the first place.” The international community will be watching closely to see if the Jeddah meeting can convert this opportunity into meaningful progress on reviving global growth and stability.

Setting the Agenda for Global Action

As preparations for the 2026 meeting begin, the likely agenda will reflect the world's most urgent priorities. Discussions are expected to center on strategies for resilient economic growth, the governance of transformative technologies like AI, fostering inclusive development, and navigating the complex interplay between geopolitics and global trade. The event will gather a formidable roster of attendees, including heads of state, finance ministers, CEOs of multinational corporations, and leaders from civil society and academia.

Building on the precedent of previous WEF meetings in the region, the summit in Jeddah is designed to be more than a forum for discussion; it is intended to be a platform for action. The focus on 'consequence' and 'making dialogue count' signals a clear intent to establish frameworks for accountability and drive measurable outcomes. For Saudi Arabia, a successful summit will not only showcase its own remarkable transformation but also validate its emerging role as an indispensable partner in shaping a more collaborative and prosperous global future.