Saudi Arabia to Host WEF Meeting on Global Collaboration and Growth in Jeddah
Davos, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia will host the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, titled “Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth,” in Jeddah on April 22–23, 2026, the Forum announced Friday at the conclusion of its 56th Annual Meeting in Davos.
The high-level gathering was confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal F. Alibrahim, following its initial announcement at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting. The meeting aims to bring together global leaders to advance dialogue on economic cooperation, stability, and growth amid rising geopolitical and structural challenges.
Speaking in Davos, Minister Alibrahim stressed that stability remains central to reviving global growth, cautioning against the illusion of quick solutions.
“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 highlighted the importance of sustained engagement and pragmatic collaboration, noting that while no single forum can solve all global challenges, each convening provides an opportunity to strengthen the culture of cooperation essential for progress.
“No single convening, no matter how well intentioned, will resolve every global challenge,” Alibrahim said. “But each time, there is an opportunity for us to be resolute, deeply invested, and to build the culture that allows cooperation to function in the first place.”
Inviting global leaders to attend the Jeddah meeting, he said it would build on the momentum of the WEF Special Meeting held in Riyadh and described Saudi Arabia 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,” he added, highlighting the focus on accountability and results-driven dialogue.
WEF President Børge Brende welcomed the announcement, underlining the Forum’s expanding engagement with the Kingdom and its role in fostering constructive global collaboration.
