The QEF has served as a platform for international officials, CEOs, and heads of state to discuss global economic challenges and trends.
This year’s edition of the annual Qatar Economic Forum (QEF), powered by Bloomberg, will be postponed until a later date in light of the regional situation after it was scheduled to take place from 12-14 May 2026.
“This decision has been taken by Bloomberg Media and MOCI in consultation with partners, taking into account the ongoing developments in the region. The Forum will reconvene under conditions that enable strong international participation and a high-quality experience for all,” the Forum announced in a statement on its website on Wednesday.
“In addition, complementary global programming and advisory council initiatives that support QEF’s mission will continue,” the statement added.
The U.S.-Israel war on Iran has forced various events to cancel or postpone since it broke out on 28 February. Hopes for an end to the war emerged on Wednesday following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, brokered by Pakistan.
The QEF has served as a platform for international officials, CEOs and heads of states to discuss global economic challenges and trends.
Last year’s edition, the fifth, was held under the theme “The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy”. The event addressed key topics such as geopolitics, energy security, technology, investment trends and the future of sports and entertainment.
The fourth edition also saw the launch of the Fanar artificial intelligence regional project, which collects high-quality data. The project’s launch came under Qatar’s efforts to expand its digital transformation through increased investments in technology, innovation and artificial intelligence.
The previous two editions also placed great emphasis on Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, which persisted since October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people in the blockaded territory.
Israel continued violating the ceasefire deal that Qatar helped broker alongside the United States, Egypt, and Türkiye last year, carrying out daily attacks on the Strip.
During his opening QEF address last year, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, opened his speech with a sharp condemnation of Israel’s continued genocide in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed also noted at the time that “economic growth and political stability are intertwined”.
“You cannot achieve one without the other. Based on this, the State of Qatar adopts an efficient diplomatic approach based on productive work in order to solve conflicts knowing that peace is essential for any sustainable development,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“We believe that every diplomatic effort exerted is an investment in a safer and more stable future,” he added.