McKinsey and the World Economic Forum 2026

LinkedIn X Facebook

Every year, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting brings together top decision-makers from government, business, and civil society to address major global issues and priorities for the year ahead. At the Annual Meeting 2026, which took place in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to January 23, leaders from around the globe convened under the theme A Spirit of Dialogue, centered around the following priorities:

Cooperation in a more contested world
Deploying innovation at scale and responsibly
Unlocking new sources of growth
Building prosperity within planetary boundaries
Investing in people

As a strategic partner to the World Economic Forum, McKinsey and our Davos 2026 delegates engaged in constructive, forward-looking dialogues to identify impact-oriented solutions around these key topics.

McKinsey Priority Themes

Agentic AI Transformation: Capturing the full potential of AI’s reimagine moment: Harnessing the new tech to rewire companies and industries

21st Century Leadership: Developing tomorrow’s leaders today: Helping companies shape 21st century leaders at speed and scale

Geopolitics: Breaking through uncertainty: Building tomorrow’s companies amid today’s shifting geopolitics

Resilience and Growth: Building the resilience muscle for growth and innovation: Optimizing operating models to strengthen leaders, companies, and countries

Brain Economy: Stronger brains in the age of AI: Unlocking human potential for healthier, more resilient, and prosperous societies

Related insights

Article

Transforming Europe: Bold moves to lift a continent

January 20, 2026 -

Europe is starting to reform its investment environment, but there’s no time to lose. Standout companies can take the lead with bold strategic moves that drive their own performance—and a continent’s.

Back country ski tour on the Büelenhorn mountain located in the Albula Alps in Switzerland, near Davos-Monstein

Podcast - The McKinsey Podcast

Special episode: Davos highlights 2026

January 28, 2026 -

Takeaways from leaders on the ground on topics including geopolitics, European competitiveness, AI, and more.

Organic circular pattern made out of green leaves with a dew drop at its center

Article

The continuing evolution of the Global Lighthouse Network

January 20, 2026 -

The growth of the Global Lighthouse Network showcases the opportunities for Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to make a positive impact for people and the planet.

Article

The new ‘whys’: A pragmatic case for climate optimism

January 16, 2026 -

A new set of reasons to act could provide the boost needed for the world to effectively tackle climate change.

Article

Corporate nature commitments have expanded, but progress is uneven

January 16, 2026 -

Despite macroeconomic shifts, corporate targets for nature have continued to grow beyond carbon—but preserving momentum will require greater consistency and follow-through.

Report - McKinsey Health Institute

The human advantage: Stronger brains in the age of AI

January 15, 2026 -

The rise of artificial intelligence highlights how investment in “brain capital” (brain health and brain skills) can boost resilience, productivity, and growth.

A digitally generated image of multicolored futuristic elements move and create waves pattern. Digital Innovation, cloud technology, data processing, AI and Innovation concepts

Article

The great trade realignment: Asia rising

January 14, 2026 -

Trade flows worldwide are reconfiguring as geopolitical alignments fragment and future-shaping industries grow in importance, potentially leading to a generational shift in global trade patterns.

A silhouetted man in a suit stands against a bright blue background, reaching toward two glowing rectangular outlines that resemble digital screens or frames.

Article

Building leaders in the age of AI

January 12, 2026 -

Leadership is always critical—but AI is making it more important than ever.

3D rendering of the globe represented by little dots, binary code and lines

Article

Decoding disruption to reshape manufacturing footprints

January 8, 2026 -

Today’s pressures mean supply chain footprints need more flexibility. Our analysis of 188 KPIs across industries reveals which sectors are most exposed and how companies can start responding.

Featured content from our collaborations

Digital generated image of multicoloured sphere made out of twisted turbulent spline connections

Article

The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026

January 8, 2026 -

New research from McKinsey and the World Economic Forum finds that global cooperation is holding steady, but its shape is evolving.

From potential to productivity: Latin America in the Intelligent Age

January 20, 2026 -

New research from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey shows how AI could unlock productivity-led growth in Latin America if leaders move decisively from experimentation to execution.

How can leadership evolve in a volatile world?

December 5, 2025 -

Trust and optimism are in short supply, and people feel unsettled by the pace of change. Leadership models must evolve from strong foundations, based on a sense of service, ethics and rigour. Leaders must foster co-creation and a sense of purpose, shared responsibility, intergenerational learning and a long-term vision.

Leadership for our times: Build on the past to create a better future

Young Global Leaders showcase how the timeless principles of leadership can be adapted to the specific challenges of our times to build a fairer, kinder and more inclusive world—and this is as important now as ever.

The role of corporate philanthropy in accelerating climate and nature transitions

This white paper explores the role corporate philanthropy can play in accelerating climate and nature transitions, acting as a bridge between public and private sectors and leveraging the knowledge of corporate affiliates towards positive societal impact.

Unlocking the full potential of digital transformation through technology and talent

To reap the real rewards of a digital transformation, a holistic approach is called for, one in which organizations transform by integrating technology and talent for optimum results.

Women are second-class citizens when it comes to health. Closing the gap could be worth $1 trillion

A new report spells out the degree to which women are disadvantaged in global healthcare – and the economic benefits of closing that gap.

Article

What is Davos and the World Economic Forum (WEF)?

November 7, 2025 -

Davos, Switzerland, is where the World Economic Forum holds its annual meeting. Delegates from many sectors converge for several days of talks and meetings to address urgent global issues.

Young Global Leaders on Davos 2026

December 16, 2025 -

As global leaders convene in Davos in January 2026, current members and alumni of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders highlight the pressing issues they believe deserve more focus—beyond the usual business topics.