DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21, 2026, 18:31 CET
- The Financial Times reported that WEF leaders have considered moving or rotating the annual meeting away from Davos
- BlackRock CEO Larry Fink called on the forum to “show up” in cities such as Dublin and Detroit
- Swiss officials indicated they continue to see Davos and Switzerland as key hubs for the forum’s activities
Leaders at the World Economic Forum are considering relocating their hallmark annual gathering from Davos, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing sources close to the talks. They’re exploring both a permanent move and rotating the event across various cities, the report added. 1
The idea is emerging as the forum seeks stability under interim leadership and aims to prove its relevance amid a turbulent political climate. This year’s event has attracted a strong lineup of heads of state and leading executives, alongside more pointed questions about the meeting’s true purpose.
Shifting the venue would alter more than just the scenery. Davos has served as the forum’s hallmark for decades, and the weeklong event in the Alps also delivers a significant economic boost to the resort town.
Fink, head of BlackRock and now interim co-chair of the forum, has started making the case publicly. In a LinkedIn post, he said the forum needs to extend its influence beyond Davos, adding: “The mountain will come down to earth.” 2
Bloomberg reported that Fink is rethinking the forum’s format, including plans to open it up beyond just political and business elites. Roche Holding’s vice-chair Andre Hoffmann, who shares interim co-chair duties, backs the idea, Bloomberg added. 3
Swiss officials kept their message consistent. “Davos and Geneva remain key neutral platforms for an inclusive dialogue among global leaders,” the country’s foreign ministry said. The forum also highlighted its ongoing collaboration with Swiss authorities. 4
Sources familiar with the talks highlight the real challenges Davos faces: tight lodging options, strained infrastructure, and soaring security costs as the event expands. The forum also wrestles with its reputation as an exclusive club—a tag it has struggled to shed for years.
Davos has clear skin in the game. A University of St. Gallen study pegged the 2017 summit’s boost to the local economy at about 60 million Swiss francs, with roughly 2 million francs flowing into local taxes, the Irish Examiner reported. A WEF spokesperson expressed satisfaction with staying in Davos this year and emphasized ongoing collaboration with the Swiss at every level. 5
Since 1971, the forum has taken place in Davos, with only a few exceptions. In 2002, it moved to New York following the Sept. 11 attacks, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers briefly considered other locations before deciding against it.
The leadership question lingers quietly. The organisation faced scrutiny over allegations linked to founder Klaus Schwab; he eventually stepped down, with the forum stating he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
But shifting the meeting isn’t just a quick vote. Davos provides predictability, a tight footprint, and a security plan honed over years; switching locations could throw that balance off and dilute a brand shaped over decades. Even rotating the venue would saddle host cities with expenses and political pressures Davos has long borne.
Davos this week has also revealed just how fast the atmosphere can shift. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced heckling at a dinner hosted by Fink, according to the Financial Times, highlighting the tension simmering beneath the surface. 6
The debate over Davos’ location has moved past boardrooms and onto opinion pages. A News18 column put it plainly: “Delhi instead of Davos?” 7
