Global investors call for smarter, sustainable growth at World Investment Conference in Sharjah

Global investment leaders meeting in Sharjah 21-23 October 2025 called for a new approach to foreign direct investment (FDI) focused on sustainability, innovation and inclusive growth.

The World Investment Conference 2025 (WIC) — the flagship event of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) — brought together more than 1,000 delegates from over 120 countries, including ministers, business executives and the heads of investment agencies. Hosted by Invest in Sharjah under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Investment, the three-day event underscored the growing expectation that investment must balance competitiveness with social and environmental impact.

The conference opened with the election of new WAIPA leadership for the 2025–2027 term, with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) assuming the presidency. Mohamed Mulla Yaqoub, KDIPA’s Assistant Director General for Business Development Affairs, pledged to strengthen international cooperation among investment agencies and promote “sustainable and impactful investment” worldwide.

Setting the tone for the discussions, Dr. Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser at Allianz, warned that shifting geopolitical alignments and technological disruption are reshaping global investment flows. He urged investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to “adapt with agility and purpose” as investors re-evaluate risk, supply chains and long-term growth strategies.

Sustainability and inclusivity emerged as central themes. In a panel titled “Green is the New Gold”, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment H.E. Amna Al Dahhak joined Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Raekwon Chung to discuss how environmental investments are becoming a source of national competitiveness.

Entrepreneur Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar Properties and Noon.com, reflected on how long-term vision and leadership can drive regional growth. “The future belongs to economies that combine innovation with resilience,” he said.

The event also marked WAIPA’s 30th anniversary, prompting reflection on how investment promotion has evolved since the organisation’s founding in 1995. “Investment promotion is no longer just about attraction—it’s about shaping the future of economies,” said Ismail Ersahin, WAIPA’s Executive Director and CEO. “Every dollar of investment must now deliver value for people, economies and the planet.”

For the host city, Sharjah, WIC 2025 was both a milestone and a statement. As H.H. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), told delegates: “This conference comes at a pivotal time for the global economy, when collaboration between nations, investors and institutions is more essential than ever.”

With new leadership, a sharper sustainability focus, and calls for evidence-based policy, WIC 2025 signaled a shift in how investment promotion agencies define their mission — less about competition for capital, and more about shaping growth that endures.