His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the State of Qatar's hosting of the 9th World Investment Forum (WIF2026) embodies its leading role in cementing international investment partnerships and opening new horizons for global development and prosperity.
His Excellency's remarks came during his participation in the inauguration of the 9th edition of the Gulf Investment Forum, held in cooperation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) under the theme "Investing in the Future".
The event took place in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Sunday, 25 October 2026, under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. The inauguration also saw the participation of a number of Their Excellencies ministers and officials from various countries around the world, alongside several CEOs, business leaders, and representatives of international organisations.
His Excellency the Secretary General commended the distinguished model presented by the State of Qatar in utilising its capabilities and potential to attract prominent international gatherings and transform them into effective platforms for creating opportunities and boosting economic convergence among nations. "Doha's hosting of this global forum embodies Qatar's ambitious vision of solidifying its presence on the global economic map and its growing contribution to shaping the trajectories of investment and developmental cooperation," His Excellency added.
Moreover, he stressed that the significance of this forum goes beyond being a platform for exchanging ideas and visions; it serves as an opportunity to translate economic aspirations into productive partnerships and pave new avenues for investment. "This, in turn, supports economic diversification, broadens the base of commercial and investment opportunities, and bolsters the capacity of nations to achieve sustainable growth and comprehensive economic prosperity," His Excellency explained.
Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out that the participation of the GCC General Secretariat in the activities of this forum reflects the great importance the GCC states attach to both the domestic and foreign investment sectors. He stated that the investment figures within the GCC states and the value of Gulf investments worldwide serve as the greatest testament to the successes achieved by the GCC states in attracting investments and expanding their global footprint in this domain.
His Excellency the Secretary General concluded his statement by expressing his sincere wishes for the success of the forum's proceedings. He reiterated his thanks and appreciation to the concerned authorities in the State of Qatar for their valued efforts in preparation and organisation, and for providing the elements that contributed to creating a conducive environment for the success of this international economic event.
