Global Forum Calendar

The 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests

May 11-15, 2026 / New York  / Event website

Focus: Land governance research and its impact on economic development and poverty reduction

Africa CEO Forum

May 14-15, 2026 / Kigali  / Event website

Co-Host: International Finance Cooperation – World Bank Group

Focus: 2,800 business leaders, investors, and policy makers from Africa and around the world gathering for the African Private Sector

World Urban Forum

May 17-22, 2026 / Baku  / Event website

Focus: Examining rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change, and policy

World Health Assembly

May 18-23, 2026 / Geneva  / Event website

Focus: Setting global health policies, priorities, and governance for WHO member states

ICT4D Conference

May 20-22, 2026 / Nairobi  / Event website

Focus: Global leaders, practitioners, and innovators will gather to explore the future of digital transformation

Themes: Data Theme: Charting the Future of Data in Development and Humanitarian Response, Impact Theme: Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals in a Fragile World, Future Theme: Shaping Tomorrow – Building Equitable and Sustainable Digital Futures, Hands-On Theme: Practical Demonstrations & Interactive Learning

SCORAI Global Conference 2026

June 8-11, 2026 / São Paulo  / Event website

Theme: Looking Back to Move Forward: Sustainable Consumption from Rio 92 to the Post-SDGs Agenda

G7 Summit 2026

June 14-16, 2026 / Evian  / Event website

Host: France

Focus: The annual meeting of leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, focusing on global challenges like economic stability, climate, AI, and development aid reform.

Our Ocean Conference

June 16-18, 2026 / Mombasa  / Event website

Focus: Addressing the key issues facing the ocean through voluntary commitments for action

Theme: Our Ocean. Our Heritage. Our Future.

London Climate Action Week

June 20-28, 2026 / London  / Event website

Focus: Accelerating climate action by bringing together global leaders from business, policy, finance, and civil society to foster collaboration and find solutions

11th International Conference on Global Public Health 2026

June 20-28, 2026 / Dubai  / Event website

Focus: The intersections of Climate Change, Health Equity, and Sustainable Health Systems.

Hamburg Sustainability Conference

June 29-30, 2026 / Hamburg  / Event website

Focus: Provides a space for questioning topics such as the governance of international organizations and entrepreneurial approaches for sustainable development.

Themes: Resilient Economies, Technology and the Future of Our Planet; Risk, Uncertainty and Conflict; and Ensuring the Future of Human Collaboration: Multilateralism and Governance.

High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026

July 6-15, 2026 / New York  / Event website

Theme: Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all

AI for Good Global Summit

July 7-10, 2026 / Geneva  / Event website

Focus: Leveraging AI to accelerate progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), connecting innovators with decision-makers for real-world impact in areas like health, climate, and gender

Themes: Responsible AI governance, AI skills for all, AI for negotiation/diplomacy, and showcasing practical solutions from startups and research, all under the ITU’s leadership.

the 26th International Aids Conference

July 26-31, 2026 / Rio de Janeiro  / Event website

Focus: The world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS will bring together people living with HIV, researchers, policy makers, healthcare professionals, funders, media and communities

Theme: Rethink, Rebuild and Rise

World Social Forum 17th Edition

August 4-8, 2026 / Cotonou  / Event website

Focus: The WSF is a global platform for citizen engagement, critical reflection, and collective proposals specific to social movements and CSOs worldwide.

Theme: There are 15 thematic axes, including: Decolonization and sovereignty, Ecological crises, climate justice and just transition, Education and access to knowledge, and Democracy and Governance, among others.

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UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17)

August 17-28, 2026 / Ulaanbaatar  / Event website

Focus: Desertification, land degradation, and drought, and will seek to foster collaboration, promote sustainable land management, and advance land restoration efforts.

World Water Week 2026

August 24-28, 2026 / Stockholm  / Event website

Theme: Water for People and Progress

18th World Congress on Public Health

September 6-9, 2026 / Cape Town  / Event website

Focus: Unites public health professionals, policymakers, and advocates worldwide to address the most pressing global health challenges.

Theme: Health Without Borders: Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability

New York Climate Week 2026

September 21-28, 2026 / New York  / Event website

Focus: Accelerate climate action by bringing together leaders from business, government, and civil society to discuss and implement solutions

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81st session)

September 22-28, 2026 / New York  / Event website

Focus: The main deliberative, policymaking, and representative body of the United Nations, providing a forum for its 193 member states to discuss a wide range of international issues.

Building Bridges 7th edition

October 6-8, 2026 / Geneva  / Event website

Focus: A unique alliance spanning the financial sector, public authorities, and Geneva-based international organisations — this flagship event is a launchpad for investment-ready ideas, strategic alliances, and high-impact partnerships.

Theme: Sustainability, Resilience, and Security

World Food Forum (FAO)

October 8-16, 2026 / Rome  / Event website

Focus: The 2026 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, focusing on youth-led innovation, sustainability, and the transformation of agrifood systems. Key 2026 initiatives include Startup Innovation Awards, the Transformative Research Challenge, and Sustainable Gastronomy Week.

Theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” focusing on the four betters: better production, nutrition, environment, and life

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World Health Summit 2026

October 11-13, 2026 / Berlin  / Event website

Focus:  Brings together global health stakeholders from all sectors and regions to find solutions for the most pressing health challenges.

Theme: From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health

2026 World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Fall Meetings

October 12-28, 2026 / Bangkok  / Event website

Focus: Global economic outlook, poverty eradication, financial stability, and aid effectiveness

UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17)

October 18-30, 2026 / Yerevan  / Event website

Focus: To protect and restore biodiversity to achieve a “peace with nature” by 2050

Theme: Taking Action for Nature

Committee on World Food Security (CFS)

October 19-23, 2026 / Rome  / Event website

Focus: The fifty-fourth plenary session of the Committee on World Food Security. With the vision to be the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform of the United Nations system for promoting food security and nutrition for all by using a multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach.

World Investment Forum 2026

October 25-27, 2026 / Doha  / Event website

Focus: UN’s flagship event for the global investment community. WIF 2026 will advance key global initiatives by linking high-level policy dialogue to concrete action.

Theme: Investing in the Future

NetHope Global Summit 2026

October 26-29, 2026 / Amsterdam  / Event website

Focus: Brings together humanitarian organizations and tech leaders for collaboration on digital solutions for global good.

Topics: Innovation, shared learning, and practical connections to build a more resilient future

Conference of Parties (COP31) – UN Climate Change Conference

November 9-20, 2026 / Antalya  / Event website

Heads of State Summit: TBD

Significance: 31st Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC

Key focus: Implementation, finance, and a just transition.

6th United Nations World Data Forum 2026

November 9-12, 2026 / Riyadh  / Event website

Host: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Focus: Held every two years and aims to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development

Themes: Innovation for better and more inclusive data, Leveraging data and enhancing its value to support better decision-making, Building trust and protection, and promoting ethical use of statistical data, Effective partnerships for better data and a more equitable system.

Paris Peace Forum 2026

November 11-12, 2026 / Paris  / Event website

Focus: A global platform focused on reinventing diplomacy to address challenges like climate change, technological disruption, and geopolitical shifts, bringing together leaders from governments, international organizations, businesses, and civil society to develop practical, multi-actor solutions for global governance and sustainable prosperity, moving beyond just discussing problems to fostering concrete action

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

November 17-20, 2026 / Bruges  / Event website

Theme: The marine biodiversity insights we need for the ocean we want

UN Water Conference

December 2-4, 2026 / Dubai  / Event website

Co-Hosts: Senegal and United Arab Emirates

Focus: Accelerate progress on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, promoting investment, innovation, and global cooperation to build a water-secure future.

2026 G20 Summit

December 14-15, 2026 / Miami  / Event website

Host: United States of America

Focus: Annual meeting of leaders from the world’s major economies (19 countries + EU + African Union) to tackle key global issues like economic stability, climate change, sustainable development, and health, evolving from a finance-focused group to the premier forum for international economic cooperation. 

Themes: Unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens. Unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains. Pioneering new technologies and innovations.

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2027

January 18-22, 2027 / Davos

Focus: Public-private cooperation to tackle five key challenges: cooperation in a contested world, unlocking growth, investing in people, deploying innovation, and building prosperity within planetary limits, with a strong emphasis on dialogue and collective action for global solutions. 

Theme: Anticipated themes include “A Spirit of Dialogue” and “Collaboration in a Contested World.”

South Africa Regional Meeting: The World Economic Forum has announced plans to revive its Africa summit in 2027, with South Africa selected to host this “Spring Davos”.