UNCTAD and Qatar to host World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha
UNCTAD and Qatar will convene the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha on 25–27 October under the theme Investing in the future, with AI and energy on the agenda.
What you need to know
UN Trade and Development and the State of Qatar will host the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha from 25 to 27 October under the theme "Investing in the future," according to a UNCTAD announcement. The event will bring together governments, investors, business leaders and international organizations to discuss how investment can reach more economies.
- The forum runs 25–27 October 2026 in Doha, organized by UNCTAD with Qatar.
- Strategic sectors such as AI, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy account for almost half the value of new investment projects, up from 16% in 2020.
- Low-income and lower-middle-income economies drew about 10% of global greenfield investment in strategic sectors between 2020 and 2025.
Why investment shifts matter now
UNCTAD says changes in global investment are reshaping value creation, supply chains and development prospects, as set out in its latest World Investment Report. Investment in strategic sectors including AI, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy now accounts for almost half the value of new investment projects, up from 16% in 2020.
The agency says many developing economies remain less connected to these emerging opportunities. Low-income and lower-middle-income economies attracted only about 10% of global greenfield investment in strategic sectors between 2020 and 2025, it said.
What the programme covers
A session on investing in energy security for a sustainable future will examine how public and private finance can support energy system transformation while maintaining reliable and affordable supplies.
Discussions on critical minerals investment partnerships will look at transparent, diversified and sustainable value chains that go beyond raw material extraction. A thematic track on investing in AI is expected to focus on infrastructure, skills, standards and international cooperation needed to narrow, rather than widen, development gaps.
When and where will the World Investment Forum 2026 take place?
It is scheduled for 25 to 27 October 2026 in Doha, Qatar. UNCTAD is organizing the forum in partnership with the State of Qatar under the theme "Investing in the future."
Sources & context
- World Investment Forum 2026: What’s next for global capital? ↗investmentpolicy.unctad.org
Something needs correcting? Send a correction.