By: Express Web DeskJanuary 19, 2026 01:20 PM IST 4 min readPeople set up the instruments for the opening concert of the Annnual Meeting of the World Economy Forum at the Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland (AP)The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will be held in Davos from January 19 to 23, 2026, bringing together global leaders from government, business and civil society.Held under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, Davos 2026 aims to provide an impartial platform for leaders to address shared global challenges and shape innovations defining the future. The meeting comes at a time of major geopolitical, technological and societal shifts, with a focus on collaboration, long-term solutions and collective action.Building on more than five decades of convening decision-makers from across sectors — including governments, international organisations, academia, civil society and the next generation — the programme is designed to spark ideas, unlock new opportunities for growth and resilience, and drive meaningful impact.Featuring a diverse mix of industries, regions and generations, Davos 2026 also extends its conversations beyond Switzerland through live-streamed sessions, digital platforms, extensive media participation and the Open Forum, enabling global audiences to engage with discussions shaping the year ahead.Also read | CM in Davos | Maharashtra govt committed to India’s economic growth: FadnavisWhat to expect at Davos 2026At Davos, sessions on geopolitics and economic growth will examine how global cooperation can be renewed amid contested norms, strained alliances and declining trust. Discussions will explore new models of collaboration as long-held assumptions around security, sovereignty and global integration are increasingly challenged.Leaders will focus on practical, solutions-driven approaches to managing geopolitical risk and economic uncertainty, strengthening resilience and competitiveness, and enabling inclusive growth. A key priority will be the responsible adoption of transformative technologies, including generative AI.The human dimension of change will also be central to the agenda. As technology reshapes industries and work, conversations will highlight investments in people, from building resilient workforces and supporting skills transitions to improving overall well-being. Alongside this, leaders will assess pathways to growth within planetary boundaries, advancing secure and sustainable energy, nature and water systems.Story continues below this adWho’s coming to the Annual Meeting 2026At a critical moment for global cooperation, the World Economic Forum will convene nearly 3,000 leaders from across sectors and more than 130 countries. The meeting will see record government participation, with around 400 senior political leaders expected, including nearly 65 heads of state and government and six leaders from the G7. They will be joined by close to 850 of the world’s top CEOs and chairpersons, along with almost 100 leading unicorns and technology pioneers.The programme is further strengthened by voices from civil society, labour groups, faith-based organisations, cultural figures and social entrepreneurs, as well as academics, experts and think tanks offering research-driven insights.Youth leaders from the Forum’s Global Shapers community, alongside innovators and technology pioneers, will contribute forward-looking perspectives shaped by real-world experience.Extensive media participation and the live broadcast of more than 200 sessions will ensure transparency and broad public access, enabling global audiences to follow, engage with and question the discussions taking place.Story continues below this adWho founded the World Economic Forum?The World Economic Forum was founded in 1971 by German academic Klaus Schwab, a mechanical engineering graduate who later earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.Schwab served as a professor of business policy at the University of Geneva from 1972 to 2003. The Forum was initially launched as the European Management Forum before evolving into the World Economic Forum.A key idea promoted by Schwab is “stakeholder capitalism” — a model in which companies aim for long-term value creation by considering the interests of all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This includes employees, suppliers, communities and society at large, rather than focusing solely on short-term profits.According to the WEF, the concept underlines the need for businesses to serve a broader set of interests. Extending this approach, the Forum brings together leaders from business, government and civil society in the Swiss Alps to discuss major global challenges and explore solutions to address them.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Davosworld