UAE sends more than 100 senior delegates to Davos

UAE takes large delegation to Davos to back global cooperation and economic growth

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Graphic content / A sign of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is seen on the top of the Congress Centre that hosts the WEF annual meeting in the Alpine resort of Davos on its opening day in Davos on January 19, 2026.
Graphic content / A sign of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is seen on the top of the Congress Centre that hosts the WEF annual meeting in the Alpine resort of Davos on its opening day in Davos on January 19, 2026.
AFP

Dubai: The UAE is taking one of its largest delegations ever to the World Economic Forum in Davos, with more than 100 ministers and senior leaders representing both government and the private sector. The high-level team is led by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

This makes the UAE the fifth largest national delegation at this year’s Forum, highlighting the country’s effort to remain active in shaping international economic and development discussions.

Focus on growth, technology and global partnerships

The UAE’s participation reflects a clear push toward strengthening its economic standing while building new international partnerships. Government leaders attending the Forum are expected to highlight the country’s work in artificial intelligence, digital government, smart regulation, and global trade.

This year’s Davos theme, “Spirit of Dialogue,” aligns closely with the UAE’s emphasis on multilateral cooperation and peaceful global engagement. The country aims to use the platform to support sustainable economic growth, strengthen legislative frameworks, and address global priorities such as climate transition, food and water security, and digital transformation.

“The UAE delegation to Davos 2026, led by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, includes more than 100 senior government officials, entrepreneurs, and innovators from a wide range of sectors," he noted. "As the fifth largest delegation at the Forum, it reflects the UAE’s continued focus on economic priorities and future oriented sectors, particularly artificial intelligence, technological innovation, digital transformation, and enhanced collaboration between government and the private sector.”

A strong presence from national companies

Major UAE companies are also participating, adding depth to the delegation’s commercial and economic influence. These firms will take part in sessions focused on trade flows, capital markets, infrastructure development, and sustainable investment.

The UAE Pavilion returns to Davos with its ongoing theme “Impossible is Impossible,” presenting the country’s progress across energy, finance, industry, technology, and digital innovation.

Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation, and the big shifts shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series. Her reporting has taken her from breaking spot news to long-form features and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, IMF’s Jihad Azour, and a long list of CEOs, regulators, and founders who are reshaping the region’s economy. An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared classrooms and newsrooms with journalists from more than 40 countries, which probably explains her weakness for data, context, and a good follow-up question. When she is away from her keyboard (AFK), you are most likely to find her at the gym with an Eminem playlist, bingeing One Piece, or exploring games on her PS5.

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