World Investment Forum 2026 opens in Doha to tackle $1.6tn funding gap

DOHA — More than 5,000 delegates including heads of government, ministers, and CEOs convened in Doha on Sunday, 25 October, for the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2026. The three-day summit aims to address a widening global imbalance where 80% of the $1.6 trillion in global foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded in 2025 was concentrated in just 20 economies. The 2026 edition of the forum, which runs until Tuesday, 27 October, features a record 80 sessions and 400 speakers. Participants include leaders of sovereign wealth funds, academics, and civil society representatives tasked with drafting policies to redirect capital toward developing nations and underfunded sectors such as sustainable finance and AI-driven infrastructure. Integration of peace and space sectors For the first time in the forum’s history, peace and reconstruction have been added to the formal agenda. This inclusion comes as reconstruction needs escalate globally while FDI in fragile or conflict-affected economies remains stagnant. Discussions will focus on the transition of capital from humanitarian relief to long-term economic recovery, utilizing case studies from various global reconstruction efforts. The space economy also makes its debut as a core pillar of the summit. With satellite launch costs falling, the forum is exploring mechanisms for developing nations to attract orbital infrastructure investment. This move signals a shift in viewing space not merely as a scientific frontier but as a viable…