Jeddah is hosting one of the most consequential gatherings of the year on Wednesday, as the World Economic Forum’s Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting gets underway in the coastal city, drawing more than a thousand leaders from across government, business, and international institutions.
The two-day meeting, formally titled “Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth,” runs from April 22 to 23 and marks the latest chapter in Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a convening hub for global economic dialogue.
The Forum’s Purpose and Promise
The gathering was confirmed at the conclusion of the 56th WEF Annual Meeting in Davos by His Excellency Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning. Speaking before a global audience in Switzerland, HE Alibrahim drew a direct line between structured dialogue and real-world outcomes, arguing that international cooperation does not happen by accident.
“No single convening, no matter how well intentioned, will resolve every global challenge,” he said. “But each time, there is an opportunity — an opportunity for us to be resolute and deeply invested, and for us to build the culture that allows cooperation to function in the first place.”
He described the Kingdom as having become “a global capital of pragmatism and of consequence,” and called on delegates to approach the Jeddah meeting as a moment for translating intention into tangible commitments.
The WEF and Saudi Arabia’s Deepening Partnership
Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, reflected on the growing relationship between the forum and the Kingdom: “We are pleased to return to Saudi Arabia in 2026 to carry forward the conversations started at our Annual Meeting — creating space for leaders to work together, build trust, and ensure dialogue leads to meaningful collaboration and action.”
The Jeddah meeting builds on a WEF Special Meeting previously held in Riyadh, continuing a pattern of high-level engagement that has positioned the Kingdom as one of the forum’s most active and consequential host partners.
Saudi Arabia at the Center of Global Economic Governance
The timing of the meeting is significant. With growth projections under revision and global trade frameworks under pressure, the gathering aims to provide a neutral space for senior leaders to align on structural priorities and develop cooperative frameworks that can outlast immediate tensions.
For Saudi Arabia, hosting the WEF Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting is not simply a prestige exercise. It is an active expression of Vision 2030’s ambition to position the Kingdom as a central node in global economic governance — a place where difficult conversations happen, partnerships are formed, and practical decisions are made.
Saudi Arabia’s capacity to attract and sustain forums of this scale reflects both the quality of its infrastructure and its standing as a credible, neutral convener at a time when multilateral cooperation is more needed than ever.
