Doha, 25 October 2026 — The world’s poorest countries are getting only a small share of the investment pouring into artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy and critical minerals, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Sunday. His message opened the 9th World Investment Forum, hosted in Doha by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in partnership with Qatar from 25 to 27 October.
Key facts
- Event: 9th World Investment Forum, Doha, 25–27 October 2026
- Organisers: UNCTAD with the State of Qatar
- Participation: delegations from more than 100 countries expected; over 20 ministers and agency heads confirmed
- Main warning: advanced technologies make up nearly half of new greenfield investment, but little reaches the poorest economies
- Global FDI in 2025: up 6% to $1.6 trillion, according to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026
What Guterres said
In his message to the opening day, Guterres said AI, chips, clean energy and critical minerals together account for nearly half of all new greenfield investment worldwide. Yet, he noted, “only a fraction of this investment is reaching least-developed and lower-middle-income countries.” He urged private investors to put more money into developing economies — especially renewable energy, technology and minerals — in ways that leave lasting benefits for local communities. He also asked participants to back the Sevilla Commitment, agreed at the UN financing-for-development conference in Spain, which aims to scale up investment and development finance.
The numbers behind the warning
UNCTAD’s latest World Investment Report shows global foreign direct investment rose 6% to $1.6 trillion in 2025, ending two years of decline. But the recovery was uneven: investment in developed economies grew 11%, while developing economies saw only 2%. The top 20 host economies took more than 80% of global inflows. Flows to least-developed countries rose 21% to $43 billion — a real gain, but still a small slice of the total.
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Why it matters for the Muslim world
The gap Guterres described runs through the Muslim world itself. Gulf states such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the region’s big investors in AI, data centres and clean energy, while several OIC member states — including Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Afghanistan — are on the UN list of least developed countries. Hosting the forum gives Doha a platform to push for investment that reaches those poorer economies. For Muslim readers in India, the debate is also a reminder that taleem in digital skills and access to technology will shape which communities benefit from the AI era.
What happens next
The forum continues until 27 October with ministerial sessions and discussions between governments, investors and international agencies. Details of the programme and the World Investment Report are published by UNCTAD.
FAQ
What is the World Investment Forum?
A gathering organised by UNCTAD that brings together governments, investors and agencies to discuss investment for development. The 2026 edition is the ninth.
How much did investment reach the least developed countries in 2025?
About $43 billion, up 21%, according to UNCTAD.
More: Muslim world and international news
Source: Arab News — Poorest nations missing out on AI and clean energy investment boom, Guterres warns in Doha
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