A proposed global initiative to share investment risks and new tools to attract financing for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure are among the recommendations of the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2026.
Organised by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and hosted by the State of Qatar, the outcomes also include a declaration of intention with the Berne Union to strengthen cooperation on investment insurance, new partnerships targeting vulnerable economies and the first funded project of an expanded ocean-economy fund in SĂŁo TomĂ© and PrĂncipe, an Emirates News Agency (WAM) report said.
Widening investment gaps
The measures respond to widening investment gaps. According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026, more than 80% of global foreign direct investment went to just 20 economies in 2025. And while investment flows rose in the first half of 2026, announcements of new projects in sectors critical to development – including infrastructure, energy, health and food systems – fell by more than 25% in developing countries, according to the latest Global Investment Trends Monitor, based on annualised 2026 figures.
Developing economies risk falling further behind as investment in AI infrastructure becomes increasingly concentrated in richer countries. UNCTAD’s latest figures show that announced investment in data centres in developing economies fell by $32 billion.—TradeArabia News Service
Send us your company’s news today and they could be featured on ABC’s Community News tommorow.
