Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are showcasing their growing influence on the global stage, sending high-level ministerial delegations to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. Taking place from January 19-23, the event sees the Gulf’s top leaders engaging in critical dialogues with a significant focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and technological innovation.
A Strategic Presence on the Global Stage
Under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, the 56th WEF Annual Meeting convenes at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change. The strong and unified presence from the Gulf nations reflects the region’s increasing role as a key global partner actively shaping international cooperation. With dedicated country pavilions and prominent roles in key discussions, the delegations aim to highlight the burgeoning AI and emerging tech ecosystems in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Saudi Arabia Highlights Vision 2030 Initiatives
Led by Minister of Foreign Affairs H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia’s delegation includes eight cabinet ministers representing key economic and technology portfolios. The Kingdom’s “Saudi House” returns to Davos for its second year, hosting over 20 sessions on themes including Bold Vision, Investment & Collaboration, and People & Human Capability. Key participants include Aramco, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Fathom IO, and Intelmatix, underlining the nation’s commitment to its Vision 2030 goals.
UAE Drives the Global AI Conversation
The UAE has sent one of the largest delegations to the forum, with over 100 ministers, senior government officials, and private sector leaders led by H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. For the fourth consecutive year, the UAE Pavilion operates under the theme ‘Impossible is Possible’, focusing on sustainable economic growth and leveraging advanced technologies. Abu Dhabi’s AI powerhouse, G42, is a co-founder and strategic partner of the AI House Davos, placing the UAE at the center of global dialogues on artificial intelligence policy and innovation.
Qatar Strengthens Investment Pitch
For the second consecutive year, Qatar is hosting a country pavilion led by Invest Qatar. The pavilion features key governmental bodies including the ministries of Commerce and Industry, Finance, and Communications and Information Technology, alongside the Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Financial Centre. This participation aims to spotlight the nation’s attractive investment climate and its role as a growing hub for technology and finance.
Gulf Leaders Shape Innovation Dialogues
Leaders from the region are also taking prominent speaker roles throughout the WEF agenda. Notable speakers in the innovation track include Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco; Eric Xing, President of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI); H.E. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; and Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO at e&, among others, ensuring the Gulf’s perspective is central to discussions on deploying innovation responsibly and at scale.
About The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. It was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Source: Middle East AI News
