UNCTAD eyes wider space economy participation ahead of WIF 2026 in Doha
Investing in the space economy, a brand-new focus area on the 2026 edition of the World Investment Forum (WIF) agenda, aims to help Qatar and the wider Middle East position themselves as pivotal playe...
UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Division director Nan Li Collins announced that the 2026 World Investment Forum (WIF) in Doha will feature a new focus on the space economy. Collins explained that this topic aims to help Qatar and the Middle East position themselves as key players in an emerging frontier traditionally dominated by traditional superpowers.
The forum, hosted by UNCTAD and the State of Qatar, will also cover topics like investing in culture. UNOOSA, a specialized agency focusing on outer space governance, collaboration, and investment partnerships, is working alongside UNCTAD to explore the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the space economy. The UNCTAD boss emphasized the importance of preventing capital from pooling among a select few and ensuring developing nations can enter the space supply chain without being left behind.
Dr Vincent Beyer, legal officer at UNCTAD, noted that this shift aligns with broader investment trends in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where the region's share of attracted FDI has surged sixfold over the past decade. Qatar, in particular, has seen a 559% increase in inward FDI to $3bn in 2025, driven largely by chemicals, energy, and ICT.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf Times Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
