A broad delegation from the United Arab Emirates has arrived in the Swiss Alps for the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s bid to shape debates on growth, technology and global governance at a moment of economic recalibration. The gathering runs from 19 to 23 January in Davos, Switzerland.Officials said the UAE delegation includes more than 100 ministers, senior government officials and leaders from state-linked enterprises and the private sector. The scale of participation places the country among the most visible national contingents at the forum, with a programme of ministerial panels, bilateral meetings and closed-door roundtables planned across the week.
The delegation’s agenda centres on macroeconomic resilience, energy transition pathways, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence governance and the future of global trade. Officials involved in the programme said the UAE intends to present itself as a pragmatic convener that bridges advanced and emerging economies, while highlighting domestic reforms aimed at sustaining non-oil growth and attracting long-term capital.
The forum’s theme this year focuses on rebuilding trust and accelerating cooperation amid uneven growth, geopolitical strains and rapid technological change. Against that backdrop, UAE ministers are expected to participate in sessions examining fiscal stability, climate finance and the regulation of frontier technologies, areas where the country has sought a reputation as an early mover and policy testbed.
Government-linked investment vehicles and major corporates are also prominent in the delegation. Executives are scheduled to meet global peers to discuss cross-border partnerships in clean energy, logistics, aviation and digital infrastructure. Several memoranda of understanding are expected to be announced on the margins of the meeting, according to officials familiar with the plans, although details are being held back until signatures are finalised.
Energy remains a core plank of the UAE’s engagement in Davos. While hydrocarbons continue to underpin public finances, officials are positioning the country as a hub for low-carbon solutions, including renewables, hydrogen and carbon management. Panels featuring UAE representatives will examine how producers can reconcile energy security with emissions reduction, a debate sharpened by volatile markets and rising demand from data centres and advanced industry.
Technology policy is another focal point. Ministers responsible for digital economy and AI are set to join discussions on governance frameworks, workforce transition and investment in compute infrastructure. The UAE has pushed to balance innovation with safeguards, and participants say Davos offers a platform to align approaches with major economies and multilateral bodies.
Trade and logistics feature prominently as well. With global supply chains adjusting to geopolitical fragmentation and protectionist pressures, UAE officials aim to highlight the country’s role as a neutral transit and services hub linking Asia, Africa and Europe. Meetings with shipping, aviation and port operators are expected to explore capacity expansion, customs harmonisation and the deployment of automation.
Beyond formal sessions, the delegation’s schedule includes outreach to institutional investors and family offices. Officials say the pitch will emphasise regulatory predictability, dispute resolution mechanisms and incentives tied to advanced manufacturing and research. The aim is to channel capital into sectors that deepen value addition and support employment growth.
The size of the UAE presence reflects a broader strategy of sustained engagement with multilateral platforms. In recent years, the country has increased its participation in global forums to amplify policy influence and diversify economic partnerships. Davos, with its concentration of political and corporate leaders, is seen as a critical venue for that effort.
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