Invitation: World Economic Forum Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting; 22-23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

H.E. Mr Erkki Keldo Minister of Economy and Industry Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122 Estonia

12 December 2025

Dear Minister,

It is a pleasure to invite you to the World Economic Forum Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, projected to take place 22-23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the meeting will convene over 1,000 leaders from government, business, international organizations, academia and civil society. Framed around the theme "Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth", the programme will focus on unlocking pathways to renewed cooperation, resilient growth and responsible industry transformation in a rapidly evolving geoeconomic and technological landscape.

With growth underperforming in many regions and deep structural transformations underway, dialogue can yield fresh ideas to navigate today’s complex economic conditions. Your leadership and insights will be essential to distilling approaches to enhance productivity, rebuild fiscal buffers and mobilize investment.

The World Economic Forum will work closely with your office to build a personalized agenda that has the greatest value for you. Yours sincerely,

Børge Brende President and CEO

Maroun Kairouz Managing Director

World Economic Forum on Global Collaboration and Growth P R O J E C T E D T O T A K E P L A C E 2 2 - 2 3 A P R I L 2 0 2 6 J E D D A H , S A U D I A R A B I A

High levels of uncertainty are clouding markets worldwide, with this decade’s growth projected to be slower than in the recent past.

Rising geopolitical tensions and conflict have deepened divides. At the same time, economic policy is increasingly being deployed in support of national objectives, reshaping the alliances that have anchored much of the twentieth century.

Simultaneously, breakthrough innovations in industry and advanced manufacturing present both an opportunity and a challenge. The adoption of cutting- edge technologies can help reach new heights of productivity and competitiveness. However, uneven

access to these innovations risks widening economic gaps between regions and sectors, underscoring the need for collaborative frameworks that promote inclusive implementation and scaling.

Amid these interconnected challenges, fostering inclusive, action-driven dialogue among governments, businesses, academia, and civil society is critical to build common ground and revive growth.

In this context, and building on the foundations of the previous high-level gathering held in Riyadh in the spring of 2024, the World Economic Forum on Global Collaboration and Growth is projected to take place on 22-23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Stakeholders

The meeting will convene more than 1,000 participants, including key stakeholders from governments and international organizations, business leaders from the World Economic Forum’s partner companies, as well as experts and innovators.

Registration

Visit the World Economic Forum’s knowledge and collaboration platform MyForum to register for the meeting and receive updates on the programme, participants and other highlights.

Meeting Programme

The programme will focus on three key pillars:

Building Common Ground

Reviving Growth Transforming Industry through Innovation

Amid intensifying great power competition and fragmented multilateralism, geopolitical divisions are reshaping the global stage, underscoring the need for renewed stability, strengthened partnerships, and deeper trust.

Businesses and governments must navigate the heightened operational complexities of a strained international landscape but, thus far, trade and geopolitical tensions have had a less severe impact on global economic activity than feared, and avenues of dialogue remain open. These conditions present a unique opportunity to forge better collaboration, grounded in shared interests and regional perspectives. Cooperation can coexist with competition, and this meeting will focus on building common ground across geographies and divides to support more effective global collaboration.

By identifying shared priorities, from humanitarian relief to energy access and trade resilience, the discussions aim to move beyond declarations and toward pragmatic collective action that mitigates global risks and lays the foundations of a more stable international order.

Global growth continues to underperform, held back by soft productivity gains, hesitant investment, and rising debt burdens. Easing inflation has opened a narrow window for policy recalibration but the uneven pace of recovery continues to highlight structural disparities between and within countries. These include the risk of a two-speed economy wherein surging stock markets mask the weaker economic fundamentals confronting the average consumer.

Beneath the surface, a deeper transformation is underway: rapid digital transformation, shifting trade patterns, and the return of industrial policy are reshaping the foundations of global competitiveness. Whether these forces yield renewal or stagnation, will depend on whether economies can adapt to unlock new sources of growth.

To address these points, discussions will centre on advancing policies and strategies to revive growth, mobilize investment, and enhance productivity, paving the way for more dynamic and diversified economies in advanced and emerging markets alike.

Global industries are undergoing a profound reordering with shifting supply chains, mounting environmental pressures, and changing labour markets. Technology is at the heart of this upheaval, as both a challenge and a remedy.

Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, circular production models and green technologies are overhauling the way goods are produced, distributed and consumed -- enabling smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable industrial processes. However, access to these innovations remains uneven, limiting their impact where they are needed most. Realizing the full potential of these solutions requires closing digital divides, investing in skills, and ensuring equitable access to the opportunities stemming from digital transformation across regions.

The meeting will gather experts and stakeholders to explore how technologies can be scaled responsibly to modernize industry, enhance resilience, and support inclusive development.

H.E. Mr Erkki Keldo Minister of Economy and Industry Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122 Estonia

12 December 2025

Dear Minister,

It is a pleasure to invite you to the World Economic Forum Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, projected to take place 22-23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the meeting will convene over 1,000 leaders from government, business, international organizations, academia and civil society. Framed around the theme "Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth", the programme will focus on unlocking pathways to renewed cooperation, resilient growth and responsible industry transformation in a rapidly evolving geoeconomic and technological landscape.

With growth underperforming in many regions and deep structural transformations underway, dialogue can yield fresh ideas to navigate today’s complex economic conditions. Your leadership and insights will be essential to distilling approaches to enhance productivity, rebuild fiscal buffers and mobilize investment.

The World Economic Forum will work closely with your office to build a personalized agenda that has the greatest value for you. Yours sincerely,

Børge Brende President and CEO

Maroun Kairouz Managing Director

World Economic Forum on Global Collaboration and Growth P R O J E C T E D T O T A K E P L A C E 2 2 - 2 3 A P R I L 2 0 2 6 J E D D A H , S A U D I A R A B I A

High levels of uncertainty are clouding markets worldwide, with this decade’s growth projected to be slower than in the recent past.

Rising geopolitical tensions and conflict have deepened divides. At the same time, economic policy is increasingly being deployed in support of national objectives, reshaping the alliances that have anchored much of the twentieth century.

Simultaneously, breakthrough innovations in industry and advanced manufacturing present both an opportunity and a challenge. The adoption of cutting- edge technologies can help reach new heights of productivity and competitiveness. However, uneven

access to these innovations risks widening economic gaps between regions and sectors, underscoring the need for collaborative frameworks that promote inclusive implementation and scaling.

Amid these interconnected challenges, fostering inclusive, action-driven dialogue among governments, businesses, academia, and civil society is critical to build common ground and revive growth.

In this context, and building on the foundations of the previous high-level gathering held in Riyadh in the spring of 2024, the World Economic Forum on Global Collaboration and Growth is projected to take place on 22-23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Stakeholders

The meeting will convene more than 1,000 participants, including key stakeholders from governments and international organizations, business leaders from the World Economic Forum’s partner companies, as well as experts and innovators.

Registration

Visit the World Economic Forum’s knowledge and collaboration platform MyForum to register for the meeting and receive updates on the programme, participants and other highlights.

Meeting Programme

The programme will focus on three key pillars:

Building Common Ground

Reviving Growth Transforming Industry through Innovation

Amid intensifying great power competition and fragmented multilateralism, geopolitical divisions are reshaping the global stage, underscoring the need for renewed stability, strengthened partnerships, and deeper trust.

Businesses and governments must navigate the heightened operational complexities of a strained international landscape but, thus far, trade and geopolitical tensions have had a less severe impact on global economic activity than feared, and avenues of dialogue remain open. These conditions present a unique opportunity to forge better collaboration, grounded in shared interests and regional perspectives. Cooperation can coexist with competition, and this meeting will focus on building common ground across geographies and divides to support more effective global collaboration.

By identifying shared priorities, from humanitarian relief to energy access and trade resilience, the discussions aim to move beyond declarations and toward pragmatic collective action that mitigates global risks and lays the foundations of a more stable international order.

Global growth continues to underperform, held back by soft productivity gains, hesitant investment, and rising debt burdens. Easing inflation has opened a narrow window for policy recalibration but the uneven pace of recovery continues to highlight structural disparities between and within countries. These include the risk of a two-speed economy wherein surging stock markets mask the weaker economic fundamentals confronting the average consumer.

Beneath the surface, a deeper transformation is underway: rapid digital transformation, shifting trade patterns, and the return of industrial policy are reshaping the foundations of global competitiveness. Whether these forces yield renewal or stagnation, will depend on whether economies can adapt to unlock new sources of growth.

To address these points, discussions will centre on advancing policies and strategies to revive growth, mobilize investment, and enhance productivity, paving the way for more dynamic and diversified economies in advanced and emerging markets alike.

Global industries are undergoing a profound reordering with shifting supply chains, mounting environmental pressures, and changing labour markets. Technology is at the heart of this upheaval, as both a challenge and a remedy.

Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, circular production models and green technologies are overhauling the way goods are produced, distributed and consumed -- enabling smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable industrial processes. However, access to these innovations remains uneven, limiting their impact where they are needed most. Realizing the full potential of these solutions requires closing digital divides, investing in skills, and ensuring equitable access to the opportunities stemming from digital transformation across regions.

The meeting will gather experts and stakeholders to explore how technologies can be scaled responsibly to modernize industry, enhance resilience, and support inclusive development.