UN Trade and Development will convene the ninth World Investment Forum in Doha from Oct. 25 to 27, bringing policymakers, investors, business leaders and international financial institutions to Qatar.
The forum, held in partnership with the State of Qatar, is organized under the theme “Investing in the Future.” Organizers say the meeting will examine how investment can support sustainable development and build resilience at a time of heightened uncertainty.
“Geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and rapid technological change are reshaping global investment flows. Holding the Forum in Qatar signals UNCTAD’s commitment to the region and recognizes the role of investment actors as essential drivers of sustainable development.”
UNCTAD calls the WIF the United Nations’ flagship event for the global investment community. Discussions are expected to cover artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, sustainable finance, tourism and culture, and emerging opportunities including the space economy.
The program is set to include Global Leaders Plenaries, ministerial roundtables on investment and entrepreneurship, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Dialogue, a high-level session on investment in the Gulf region, and a global investment promotion conference.
The gathering comes as UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026 shows foreign direct investment recovering unevenly. Global FDI rose 6 percent to $1.6 trillion in 2025, ending two years of decline. Investment in developed economies increased 11 percent, while flows to developing economies rose 2 percent. More than 80 percent of global FDI went to the 20 largest host economies. A small group of strategic sectors accounted for 44 percent of the value of global greenfield projects in 2025, up from 16 percent in 2020.
UNCTAD said global investment is recovering, but becoming more concentrated. The Doha forum will look at how capital can reach more economies as companies reassess supply chains and investment destinations.
Registration is open. Programme details are available at worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org.
West Bay, Doha, Qatar. © Visit Qatar