Saudi Arabia to host World Economic Forum meeting on global collaboration and growth in April 2026
Saudi Arabia will host the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting: Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth in Jeddah on April 22–23, 2026, it was announced on the closing day of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Forum in Davos.
The high-level meeting was confirmed by His Excellency Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, and follows its initial announcement during the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting. The event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, and business figures to address pressing economic challenges and explore pathways to renewed global growth amid increasing geopolitical and economic fragmentation.
Speaking in Davos, HE Alibrahim underscored the importance of pragmatism, dialogue, and sustained cooperation in fostering long-term stability. “Stability can’t be quickly built, and it can’t be bought,” he said. “Stability needs to be founded, nurtured, protected, reinforced, and guided. Stability is non-negotiable.”
He stressed that no single gathering could resolve all global challenges, but each convening represents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation. “Each time, there is an opportunity for us to be resolute and deeply invested, and for us to build the culture that allows cooperation to function in the first place,” he said, adding that such a culture is essential to unlocking the full potential of the global economy.
Inviting international stakeholders to participate in the April meeting, HE Alibrahim said the Jeddah forum would build on the momentum of the WEF Special Meeting held in Riyadh, noting that Saudi Arabia has increasingly emerged as “a global capital of pragmatism and of consequence.”
“At a time when the global economy is confronting long-standing structural challenges, this effort helps move cooperation from intent to outcome by setting clear expectations, anchoring responsibility, and making dialogue count,” he added.
Commenting on the announcement, WEF President Børge Brende highlighted the Forum’s expanding engagement with the Kingdom. “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,” he said.
The Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in convening international dialogue and fostering cooperation between developed and developing economies, with the aim of addressing shared global challenges and supporting long-term prosperity.
