Led by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is sending a high-level delegation to participate in the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, which will be held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23. This participation underscores the Kingdom's pivotal role in the global economic and political landscape and its ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with the international community.
Delegation composition and diversity of expertise
The Saudi delegation includes a select group of decision-makers and ministers representing the vital sectors driving the Kingdom's Vision 2030. In addition to His Royal Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the delegation includes Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States; His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi; His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khatib; and His Excellency the Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih. The delegation also includes the Ministers of Finance, Communications and Information Technology, Industry and Mineral Resources, and Economy and Planning, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the Saudi vision, which encompasses financial, technological, industrial, and developmental aspects.
Context of participation and its strategic importance
The 56th annual meeting of the Forum is being held under the theme "Values of Dialogue," at a time of rapid geopolitical and technological transformations worldwide. The Kingdom's participation is of particular importance given its position as an active member of the G20 and a significant economic power in global energy and investment markets. Through this forum, the Kingdom aims to showcase the transformative impact of Vision 2030, not only as an economic transformation plan but also as a comprehensive development model focused on diversifying income sources, empowering women, enhancing quality of life, and driving digital transformation.
"Saudi House" initiative: A platform for global dialogue
In a move reflecting the Kingdom's openness to the world, the "Saudi House" initiative, organized by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, returns as a vital hub for discussions at Davos. This platform will host more than 20 dialogue sessions, including over 10 officially endorsed sessions by the Forum, to discuss strategic themes such as "Data for Impact" and "People and Human Capital Development." This initiative serves as an effective public diplomacy tool, allowing investors and policymakers to gain firsthand insight into the promising opportunities in the Saudi market.
Expected impact and future trends
This participation is expected to strengthen international partnerships and attract more foreign direct investment to emerging sectors in the Kingdom, such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and tourism. The initiative will also launch the "NextOn" dialogue series to explore the future, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to being a partner in shaping solutions to global challenges. The Kingdom's strong presence in Davos reinforces its position as a regional and international powerhouse, capable of leading constructive dialogues aimed at achieving global economic stability and prosperity.
