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2026 IMD World Competitiveness Summit

Where competitive advantage takes shape 

When

18 June 2026

Time

All day event

Where

Zurich

Open to

Global leaders (by application)

How do we drive competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy?

The inaugural IMD World Competitiveness Summit launches in Zurich on 18 June 2026 gathering global decision-makers who shape economic prosperity and drive competitive advantage across nations and industries. 

An initiative of the IMD’s World Competitiveness Center, the summit brings together government ministers, chief executives, and pioneering strategists to explore the defining questions of economic performance in an era of disruption. 

Join us for a high-impact day at Swiss Re’s Centre for Global Dialogue in Zurich,  Switzerland, featuring insights from policymakers, business leaders, and innovators. Grounded in evidence and elevated by real-world experience, the discussions are driven by a shared ambition: achieving strategic clarity today that fuels competitive success tomorrow. 

Organized by IMD together with hosting partner SwissRe and supporting partner The Adecco Group

Why attend?

Priority access to 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking data
Opportunities for direct engagement with international economic leaders and policy makers
Strategic connections with C-suite executives from various sectors
Valuable insights to guide competitive strategies and policy-making decisions

Express your interest to attend the summit

Where competitive advantage takes shape 

The IMD World Competitiveness Summit is an exclusive annual forum coinciding with the release of the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking—hosted by the institution that sets the global standard for competitiveness assessment and leadership education. 

Anchored by IMD’s World Competitiveness Center, our experts convene senior government officials, enterprise leaders, and strategic thinkers to address the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities that determine which nations and organizations thrive. 

In an environment where adaptability and strategic foresight matter more than ever, the summit explores what drives sustainable prosperity through evidence-based analysis, real-world insight, and bold ideas. Success in an uncertain future requires understanding the competitive dynamics of today. 

Request to join the summit

This is a curated leadership forum designed for chief executives, ministers of state, and senior officials from both public and private sectors. Attendance is by application and selection. Our team will contact interested applicants directly. 

2026 IMD World Competitiveness Summit keynote speakers

Arturo Bris

Douglas Geertz IMEDE 1988 Professor in Geopolitics and Business, Professor of Finance, and Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center

Arturo Bris is Douglas Geertz IMEDE 1988 Professor in Geopolitics and Business, Professor of Finance, and Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center. An award-winning teacher and program director, he ranks among the top 100 most-read finance academics worldwide. He is the author of several books, a frequent speaker at international conferences, and appears regularly on international media outlets.

Børge Brende

President and CEO of the World Economic Forum

Børge Brende is President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. Previously he was the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Minister of Climate and the Environment. He is a Member of the Advisory Council, Harvard International Negotiation Program, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), the Strategic Committee of Sciences Po, and is currently on the Board of the Bilderberg Meetings.