Qatar Economic Forum to Convene in New York Amid Rising Global Trade and Energy Risks

The Qatar Economic Forum is heading to New York alongside UNGA 81, bringing together global leaders to discuss trade, energy, AI, capital, and geopolitical risk. Powered by Bloomberg, the special edition event will take place on September 20, coinciding with the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, gathering policymakers, investors, and business executives as geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade flows, and changes in energy and technology reshape the global economy.

Organized in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the gathering will be held under the theme Growth on New Terms: Capital, Risk and Resilience. According to a Qatar Economic Forum press release, discussions will focus on Middle East geopolitical shifts, energy supply and demand, changing global trade flows, capital allocation, and the economic implications of artificial intelligence.

Karen Saltser, CEO of Bloomberg Media, stated that the global economy is being reshaped by new centres of influence, investment, and ambition, with the Middle East continuing to play an essential role in that transformation. She added that Bloomberg remains committed to elevating ideas and perspectives emerging from the region, noting that this special edition extends the conversation at a critical moment for global leadership and decision-making.

Jad Chaaban, Associate Professor of Economics at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Doha News that this year’s forum arrives amid monetary fragmentation, high sovereign debt levels, and trade wars. He noted that GCC economies are actively deploying counter-cyclical capital and recycling current account surpluses into critical infrastructure.

Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al-Kuwari, executive director to the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences, stated that the New York edition will connect perspectives from Qatar and the wider region with international leaders during a period of global change and uncertainty. Chaaban further explained that hosting the forum ahead of the UN General Assembly represents a strategic pivot from Qatar's traditional role as a regional host toward direct engagement with global political and institutional capital.

Chaaban also highlighted that regional conflicts have increased systemic risks for Gulf maritime transit, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that short-term instability raises maritime insurance premiums, freight costs, and gas price benchmarks, while long-term supply-security concerns validate long-term contracts over volatile spot transactions, accelerating off-take commitments for Qatar's North Field expansion.

Prominent speakers announced for the event include Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Qatar Investment Authority CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, and Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani. Global business leaders such as Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, Citi Chair and CEO Jane Fraser, Goldman Sachs Group Chairman and CEO David M. Solomon, and Apollo Global Management Chairman and CEO Marc Rowan are also scheduled to participate.

The gathering is produced by Bloomberg Live, editorially programmed by Bloomberg News, and will be streamed live across the Bloomberg Terminal, Bloomberg TV, and Bloomberg.com. Additionally, Bloomberg This Weekend will broadcast live from the event, featuring hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo. The full Qatar Economic Forum is slated to return to Doha in April 2027.