Davos 2026: The World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting (“A Spirit of Dialogue”)

The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) convened in Davos from 19 to 23 January 2026 under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” The meeting brought together nearly 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including more than 400 top political leaders and nearly 65 heads of state and government, alongside business leaders and civil-society representatives. Opening and the week’s format: The meeting opened with welcome remarks from the Forum’s interim co-chairs (including Larry Fink and André Hoffmann) and was followed by a special address by the President of the Swiss Confederation (Guy Parmelin) during the early program of the week. Key developments and announcements during the week: 1) Trade and economic diplomacy: EU–India free trade talks: During the Davos week, EU officials said negotiations with India were at the “cusp” of a major free trade agreement. Reporting around Davos described a potential combined market of roughly 2 billion people, and India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal was cited describing it as the “mother of all deals.” 2) Skills, jobs, and workforce transformation: • Reskilling Revolution milestone: The Forum reported its global commitment to equip one billion people with better education, skills, and economic opportunities had reached more than 850 million people. • Skills Accelerator in India: The Forum announced the launch of a Skills Accelerator in India. • Skills pledge for frontline workers: A Forum-backed initiative reported over 50 companies had pledged support aimed at reaching 20 million frontline workers. • SmartStart expansion: The SmartStart initiative was announced as aiming to reach one million young people in the United States by 2035. 3) Water, sanitation, and “Get Blue” • Get Blue initiative: Water.org and founding corporate partners (Gap Inc., Amazon, Starbucks, and Ecolab) announced the launch of Get Blue™ in Davos on 19 January 2026, described as a long-term platform intended to help fund access to safe water and sanitation through Water.org’s solutions and partner activations. • WEF-stage announcement: WEF coverage of the Davos program also referenced Matt Damon (Water.org co-founder) announcing the Get Blue initiative during the meeting’s water-focused sessions. 4) Peace, security, and conflict-zone governance : • Board of Peace launch (alongside Davos): During the Davos week, Reuters reported U.S. President Donald Trump launched a “Board of Peace” in Davos (Jan 22), initially linked to the Gaza ceasefire context but described as intended to take on a broader role. Reuters reported Trump would chair the board and that 35 countries had committed, listing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina, and Indonesia, and describing additional board involvement by U.S. officials and envoys (including Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff) and Tony Blair. 5) Technology, AI governance, and digital trust • Lumina (AI transparency platform): The Forum announced Lumina, described as an open platform intended to help increase transparency around AI models. • Trusted digital embassies framework: A new Global Framework for Trusted Digital Embassies was announced, aimed at strengthening protection for data and digital infrastructure. • Expansion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution network: The Forum announced new centers in its network (including the United Arab Emirates, as well as France, the UK, and India among others mentioned in the Forum’s update). • Cybersecurity Outlook 2026: The Forum released its Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 during the meeting. 6) Energy transition and fuels: • Clean fuels investment outlook: The Forum cited analysis projecting annual investment in clean fuels could rise from around $25 billion to more than $100 billion by 2030, alongside broader Davos programming that included energy security and AI–energy demand discussions. 7) Industry transformation and “Lighthouse” deployments: • Global Lighthouse Network growth: The Forum announced 23 new industrial sites joining its Global Lighthouse Network. • “Lighthouse OS” national deployments: The Forum referenced national deployments of Lighthouse OS in collaboration with governments including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (among others named). 8) Corporate reporting and sustainability data: • Sustainability reporting data pledge: The Forum reported a pledge involving more than 70 companies and institutions to help harmonize sustainability data requests and reduce reporting burdens. 9) Regional convening announced • Forum in Africa (future event): The World Economic Forum announced it would hold a Forum in Africa in Spring 2027 in partnership with the Government of South Africa.