Davos 2026: World Economic Forum kicks off with hectic parleys

The 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) has begun in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland , bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries as the world confronts overlapping crises from geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence . Running from January 19 to 23 under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” Davos 2026 is witnessing hectic parleys across plenary sessions, ministerial meetings and closed-door engagements aimed at restoring cooperation and confidence in global institutions.

Adding urgency to the deliberations, WEF founder and former chairman Klaus Schwab warned that societies are losing two vital pillars “truth” and “trust” and cautioned that without rebuilding them, collective action on global challenges will remain at risk. Calling for empathy, dialogue and understanding across perspectives, Schwab said solutions require not only intellect but also humanity, urging leaders to serve society rather than narrow self-interest.

The summit’s agenda reflects the turbulent global climate, focusing on managing trade frictions , easing geopolitical rivalries , and addressing the ethical and societal consequences of emerging technologies , particularly AI. Alongside economic and security concerns, sessions are also spotlighting cross-border cooperation on climate change , inequality , and long-term structural reforms. Beyond formal sessions, side events, country pavilions and private roundtables are driving high-level networking and investment discussions, reinforcing Davos as a key venue for consensus-building.

On the sidelines, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Maharashtra Pavilion and projected higher investment commitments than last year, when the state signed MoUs worth nearly ₹16 lakh crore . Highlighting Maharashtra’s execution record, he said projects like ‘Third Mumbai’ , backed by infrastructure such as the Navi Mumbai airport and Atal Setu , are drawing strong interest across manufacturing, data centres and infrastructure. A theme-based development approach covering EduCity, MediCity, Sports City, Innovation City and GCC City is expected to generate high-value jobs, while the state targets becoming India’s first trillion-dollar economy by 2030 .

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu , during his Switzerland visit linked to Davos, focused on diaspora-led entrepreneurship and future technologies. Addressing Telugu expatriates in Zurich, he announced a ₹50 crore corpus fund for non-resident Telugus and pitched Andhra Pradesh as a hub for AI-driven creative industries , including Generative AI, Deep Tech, gaming, animation and digital content . Naidu also congratulated Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for becoming the first Assam chief minister to attend WEF Davos , calling it a historic milestone. From Karnataka, attention turned to Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar , who reversed his earlier cancellation and confirmed his participation, even as the official state delegation led by Industries Minister M.B. Patil had already departed.

The WEF annual meeting continues its long-standing tradition of bringing together governments, businesses, experts and civil society to recalibrate strategies and explore collaborative solutions. With Davos 2026 placing renewed emphasis on dialogue and trust-building, the summit is expected to shape not only immediate crisis responses but also longer-term approaches to technological change, economic stability and global cooperation.