Minister Al Sayed, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I can’t believe we only started yesterday!
Thank you, Minister Al Sayed, for your words and for your leadership and firm commitment throughout this Forum.
On behalf of UN Trade and Development, I thank His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and the Government and people of Qatar for their generous hospitality. I thank His Excellency the Prime Minister for his patronage, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for an exceptional partnership.
We have met at a challenging moment for this region, and despite that, more than 7,000 people registered for the Forum. Four prime ministers and over 60 ministers joined investors, entrepreneurs and investment agencies from every region, across more than 80 sessions, with more than 400 speakers. As Minister Al Sayed said, this is not just about attendance but about commitment to and engagement with these important topics, and recognition of Qatar’s leadership on this agenda.
Doha showed that dialogue is possible. Governments, public institutions and private investors agreed on shared priorities and filled every single room over these days. That is how difficult moments are overcome: through dialogue that keeps doors open, cooperation that turns agreement into action, and development that gives people a stake in what comes next.
When we opened this Forum yesterday, I spoke of a new age of investment: the age of strategy, in which countries need strategies of their own and partners to carry them forward. The Doha Global Investment Action Framework offers both: more than 20 concrete outcomes across six priority areas, from investment rules and the planet to artificial intelligence, finance, research and entrepreneurship. We launched three regional investment reports, signed nine new agreements and partnerships, and honoured five investment promotion agencies and twelve women entrepreneurs.
Countries reforming their investment treaties now have Guiding Principles to work from, and a new steering committee will develop principles for responsible investment in artificial intelligence. Small island States have a stronger fund for their ocean economies, starting with a first project in São Tomé and Príncipe. Low- and lower-middle-income countries will soon have a playbook for planning digital and AI infrastructure, through the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser we convene with ITU and the World Bank. We have proposed a global initiative to share investment risk more widely. And founders from developing countries have a new Global Founders Fellowship to connect them with investors, mentors and markets.
Dear friends,
Behind these outcomes stand many people – people who will make this Forum unforgettable. I thank our partners in governments, international organizations and the private sector, and every speaker and moderator who shared their experience. You all made this Forum relevant, and I thank the team at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At UN Trade and Development, I thank Nan Li Collins, Director of the Division on Investment and Enterprise, for coordinating this Forum, and all the staff of her Division, in particular the core coordinating team, as well as our colleagues from the rest of the organization.
We are also grateful to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the UN Department of Safety and Security for their support, and to the interpreters, who helped us understand each other.
Excellencies,
The theme of this Forum was investing in the future. Doha has given that future a framework and a name. You have given us the direction and the encouragement to make it possible.
I formally declare WIF 2026 closed, and I hope to see you all in two years.
I thank you.