2026 World Economic Forum eyes constructive dialogue in complex global landscape

DAVOS, Switzerland: The 2026 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to open on Monday evening in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, calling for constructive dialogue in a complex global landscape.

AI Brief

WEF publications highlight growing global economic risks driven by fragmentation, debt, asset shifts and rapid AI deployment.
The Chief Economists' Outlook notes slight improvement in global forecasts but persistent uncertainty shaped by geoeconomic realignments.
Nearly 3,000 global leaders meet under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue" to address cooperation, growth and responsible innovation.

A series of publications released by the WEF in the lead-up to the meeting indicated rising risks and downward pressure on the global economy in an increasingly contested and fragmented world.

The latest Chief Economists' Outlook pointed out that while the global economic outlook has improved modestly, uncertainty remains. Factors such as shifting asset valuations, rising debt, geoeconomic realignment and the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence are expected to continue impacting the world economy.

Under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," the five-day event has drawn nearly 3,000 leaders and experts worldwide to discuss five pressing global challenges, including enhancing cooperation, unlocking new sources of growth and deploying innovation at scale and responsibly.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, WEF President and CEO Borge Brende underscored the critical role of dialogue in today's world.

"In the World Economic Forum's view, dialogue is not a luxury; it is a necessity," he said.