UNCTAD convenes World Investment Forum in Doha to address $1.6tn FDI gap

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) announced on Saturday, 29 August, that the ninth World Investment Forum (WIF) will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 25 to 27 October. The summit arrives as global foreign direct investment (FDI) shows a fragmented recovery, rising 6% to $1.6 trillion in 2025 following a two-year downturn. High-Level Talks in Doha Held in partnership with the State of Qatar, the forum serves as the United Nations’ primary platform for the global investment community. The 2026 edition, themed “Investing in the Future,” will gather government ministers, heads of international organisations, and multinational executives to address the impact of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation on capital allocation. Specific sessions will focus on investment within the Gulf region, infrastructure, and the emerging space economy. The event is triggered by the release of the World Investment Report 2026, which highlights a significant imbalance in global capital flows. While investment in developed economies grew by 11% last year, flows to developing nations increased by only 2%. Data shows that 80% of all global FDI was concentrated within the world’s 20 largest host economies, presenting a challenge for policymakers seeking to diversify development. Sector Shifts and Technological Impact Technological change and supply chain reorganization are central to this year’s agenda. According to UNCTAD, strategic sectors accounted for 44% of the value of global greenfield…