What is Davos? The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026

Introduction: Why ‘what is Davos’ matters

What is Davos and why does it attract global attention? Davos is a town in eastern Switzerland that, every January, hosts the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting. The gathering brings together political, business and civil society leaders to discuss pressing global challenges. The 2026 meeting, held from 19 to 23 January under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, is relevant because it seeks practical cooperation on innovation, growth, climate and the societal impacts of artificial intelligence.

Main body: Who attends and what they discuss

What the World Economic Forum is

The World Economic Forum is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to public–private sector cooperation. Its annual Davos meeting is a focal point for cross-sector dialogue on international and regional issues.

Dates, theme and featured topics for 2026

The 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos runs from 19 to 23 January and uses the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”. Delegates will explore a range of themes, including cooperation in a more contested world; deploying innovation responsibly at scale; unlocking new sources of growth; building prosperity within planetary boundaries; and investing better in people in the age of AI.

Continuity from recent meetings and corporate involvement

Last year’s meeting centred on collaboration in the intelligent age, focusing on identifying new sources of growth, transforming industries with intelligent technologies, investing in human development, and advancing climate action while collaborating on international and regional solutions. Organisations such as McKinsey partner with the WEF to host aligned events, and companies like Iberdrola participate regularly, with their leaders contributing as recurring voices at the Forum.

Conclusion: Significance and outlook for readers

For policymakers, business leaders and citizens, Davos remains a barometer of global priorities. The 2026 focus on dialogue, AI, sustainable growth and planetary limits signals where public and private investment and cooperation may concentrate in the year ahead. Readers can expect discussions from Davos to influence policy agendas, corporate strategies and international cooperation, even if outcomes are adopted incrementally rather than immediately.