January 21, 2026 | 02:42 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 23, 2026, continuing Davos’ long-standing role as a central platform for global dialogue and cooperation.
Held annually in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, the WEF convenes delegates from government, business, and civil society for several days of high-level discussions on urgent global issues.
As global leaders turn their attention to pressing international challenges, here is everything you need to know about the World Economic Forum and why the Davos agenda remains relevant.
What Is the World Economic Forum?
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, operating as both a think tank and a global event organizer.
Founded in 1971, the forum initially brought together business executives at its first summit in Davos, before gradually expanding its scope to include a wide range of global concerns.
Today, the WEF focuses on promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors, addressing challenges such as economic inequality, climate change, technological transformation, and global collaboration through dialogue and collective action.
Why Does the Davos Meeting Matter?
The Davos convening matters because it goes beyond formal speeches to create a unique space for direct engagement among global leaders. Each year, around 2,500 delegates and hundreds of additional participants gather in the Alpine town, making it one of the largest annual assemblies of global decision-makers.
According to McKinsey, meaningful exchanges often take place in informal settings beyond the official sessions, ranging from corridors, side meetings, hotel suites, and restaurants. Within the Alpine town, ideas are tested, partnerships are formed, and collaborative solutions to global challenges begin to take shape.
What Is the 2026 WEF Davos Agenda?
This year’s Davos meeting is held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” reflecting the need for cooperation amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The program is structured around five interconnected priorities, including cooperation in a contested world, the responsible deployment of innovation, unlocking new sources of growth, investing in people, and building prosperity within planetary boundaries, as per McKinsey and Al Jazeera.
With more than 200 sessions planned, discussions will span issues from geopolitics and artificial intelligence to climate change and workforce transformation.
Who Is Expected to Attend the 2026 WEF Summit?
The scale of this year’s World Economic Forum is demonstrated by the high-profile attendance of global policymakers. Nearly 3,000 participants from business, government, and international institutions are expected to attend, alongside activists, journalists, and observers from around the world.
Organizers report a record turnout of close to 400 senior political leaders, including more than 60 heads of state and government, as well as around 850 chairpersons and chief executives of leading global companies.
Here are some key attendees to expect:
Donald Trump — U.S. President
Marco Rubio — U.S. Secretary of State
Scott Bessent — U.S. Treasury Secretary
Steve Witkoff — U.S. Special Envoy
Emmanuel Macron — President of France
Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission
Ahmed al-Sharaa — President of Syria
Mark Carney — Prime Minister of Canada
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani — Prime Minister of Qatar
Felix Tshisekedi — President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
He Lifeng — Vice Premier of China
Volodymyr Zelenskyy — President of Ukraine
Jensen Huang — Chief Executive Officer, Nvidia
Satya Nadella — Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft
Demis Hassabis — Chief Executive Officer, Google DeepMind
Arthur Mensch — Chief Executive Officer, Mistral AI
Mark Rutte — Secretary-General, NATO
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — Director-General, World Trade Organization
Read: WEF 2026 and Indonesia's Path to Becoming a 'Co-Creator' of Global Solutions
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Davos 2026: 'We Prefer Respect to Bullies,' Macron Says
3 jam lalu
France's President Macron said it was "fundamentally unacceptable" for the US to use tariff threats as "leverage against territorial sovereignty."
WEF: Is Greenland the Wake-up Call Europe Needed?
4 jam lalu
Europe is losing global influence due to conflict, trade disputes, and more. In Davos, leaders discuss how Europe can regain its mojo.
Danantara Targets Tripling Assets Under Management by 2030
5 jam lalu
Indonesian Investment Management Agency, Danantara Indonesia, aims to triple the total value of its assets under management by 2030.
WEF 2026 and Indonesia's Path to Becoming a 'Co-Creator' of Global Solutions
7 jam lalu
The 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) was held in Davos, January 19 to 23.
WEF: Donald Trump Set to Dominate Davos 2026
1 hari lalu
After attacking Venezuela, capturing its leader, and reviving Greenland ambitions, Trump's presence in Davos will raise the stakes at the WEF.
Prabowo to Pay State Visits to the UK and Switzerland in Early 2026
2 hari lalu
President Prabowo will start the official visit by meeting with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III.
Prabowo to Address World Economic Forum in Switzerland
2 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Danantara Prepares Bilateral Meetings for WEF 2026
10 hari lalu
Danantara Indonesia's official said the 2026 World Economic Forum presents a prime opportunity for the country to advance its investment roadmap.
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Discuss Bilateral Cooperation on Sidelines of WEF
24 Januari 2025
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and his Saudi Arabian counterpart discussed Prabowo's planned visit to Riyadh and issues of Palestine.
Indonesia Faces Challenges in Job Creation, Minister Airlangga Says at World Economic Forum
29 April 2024
Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia faces difficult challenges in job creation.
