- The World Economic Forum brought together senior political and business leaders in Istanbul on 27 March 2026 for a Country Strategy Meeting on Türkiye.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a special address and engaged in strategic dialogue with 50 global CEOs and Chairs, while Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, chaired a discussion on economic policy and investment.
- Amid geoeconomic uncertainty and regional developments, the meeting advanced public-private cooperation and investment-led growth, reinforcing Türkiye's role as a global nexus.
- Learn more about the meeting here .
Istanbul, Türkiye, 1 April 2026 - The World Economic Forum hosted a Country Strategy Meeting on Türkiye on 27 March. Held in collaboration with the Government of Türkiye, under the theme Growth at a Global Nexus: Strengthening Competitiveness and Resilience, the meeting brought together senior political leaders and global business executives at a critical juncture for the global economy. It focused on Türkiye's economic and strategic positioning in an unprecedented period of geopolitical complexity, economic realignment and value chain reconfiguration.
As a G20 economy bridging Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Türkiye is a key anchor for regional stability, international cooperation and trade. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty and geoeconomic realignment, the meeting provided a platform for public-private dialogue on strengthening competitiveness, deepening resilience and unlocking investment-led growth. Discussions examined economic reform efforts, the investment environment and priorities for sustained prosperity in a fast-changing global and regional context.
"As the global economy undergoes profound transformation, Türkiye plays an increasingly strategic role in trade, investment and production networks," said Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO, World Economic Forum. "Amid evolving geoeconomic dynamics, the meeting spurred public-private collaboration to contribute to long-term growth and resilience in Türkiye and beyond."
The programme featured a Strategy Dialogue with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, centred on the country's long-term strategic vision and national priorities. A working lunch chaired by Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, provided further opportunity for in-depth discussions on economic policy direction, reform momentum and the evolving investment landscape.
The programme also included the participation of Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan, as well as sessions with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, who addressed regional stability, geoeconomic transformation, energy security and Türkiye's ambition to become an energy hub. Together, these discussions strengthened collaboration between the public and private sectors in support of Türkiye's economic strategy and its role as a global nexus for growth.
The meeting was co-chaired by select senior representatives from the Forum's partner community:
Mohammed Abunayyan, ACWA; Carlos Torres Vila, BBVA; Odile Francoise Renaud-Basso, EBRD President; Andrew Forrest, Fortescue; Ester Baiget, Novonesis.
"Türkiye plays a unique role connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East," said Larry Fink, Co-Chair, World Economic Forum. "At a pivotal moment for the region and the global economy, sustained public-private dialogue is essential. Constructive engagement between government and business can strengthen competitiveness, mobilize long-term investment, and ensure that growth translates into broader opportunity and durable economic stability."
