Davos: The United Arab Emirates concluded its participation in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, held from 19th to 23rd January. The Forum serves as a global platform that brings together more than 3,000 leaders, decision-makers, and senior figures from the public and private sectors worldwide each year.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE delegation, led by H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, was the fifth-largest international delegation at Davos 2026. The delegation engaged in discussions on global challenges and transformations, explored solutions, reviewed developments, and worked to establish and strengthen international partnerships across economic and development sectors.
The UAE’s participation focused on shaping proactive development solutions that draw on global expertise and best practices, contributing to a better present and future across multiple dimensions. The UAE took part in flagship sessions on artificial intelligence, digital government, smart systems, and issues related to humanitarian and international challenges, particularly those linked to economic and development stability and sustainable development, including food security, health, water, and humanitarian action.
This engagement reflected the theme of the World Economic Forum 2026, ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ and underscored a core value championed by the UAE in international relations through the exchange of successful experiences and best practices with countries and leading international institutions. The participation also highlighted the role of the private sector, with the UAE delegation comprising more than 100 participants, including government officials alongside founders and chief executives of leading national companies and private sector institutions.
Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated that through its participation at Davos 2026, the UAE enhanced constructive international cooperation and exchanged experiences and expertise with countries and international institutions across national priority areas and key sectors that support comprehensive and sustainable development. Discussions addressed global development challenges through proactive perspectives that consider global changes, shared international responsibility, and opportunities that support stability and prosperity.
Al Gergawi added that global leadership, competitiveness, international trust, and the UAE’s development-driven approach are a national asset that inspires nations. These experiences are shared with countries around the world and international institutions. The private sector had a strong presence through active participation in Forum sessions and events, providing opportunities to exchange expertise with international peers, build partnerships, and showcase the vision of UAE private sector companies, contributing to expanding growth opportunities and reflecting the sector’s role as a key pillar of sustainable national economic growth.
During the Forum, the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum launched a new phase of their strategic knowledge partnership and signed a memorandum of understanding to host the annual Global Future Councils meetings in Dubai over the next five years, reinforcing cooperation in shaping future directions and supporting global efforts to address economic and social challenges.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the World Economic Forum announced the next phase of their partnership to advance smart health systems and healthy longevity, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in healthcare. It was announced that H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, has been appointed Chair of the International Business Council (IBC) for a two-year term, becoming the first figure from the Middle East to assume the role since the Council’s establishment.
The Technology Innovation Institute announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Advanced Technologies in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, as a new addition to the Forum’s global network focused on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Economic Forum to enhance institutional cooperation in support of preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE will host later this year.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and the World Economic Forum signed a cooperation agreement to establish the Abu Dhabi Centre for the Future of Artificial Intelligence, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for AI innovation. The UAE also announced the release of the third edition of the TradeTech Report, highlighting progress in integrating advanced technologies into global supply chains. The report forms a core pillar of the TradeTech initiative launched in Davos in 2023.
