World Economic Forum 2026

Monday 19 January 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde left for Davos, Switzerland took take part in the yearly meeting for world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia. Theme is "The spirit of dialogue".

They are joined by PM Bart De Wever, foreign minister Maxime Prévot and minister for employment, David Clarinval.

As SDG advocate, Mathilde will have meetings with several politicians, international organisations and private players. She will also have bilateral meetings in view of her economic missions to Turkey and Saudi Arabia later this year.

Tuesday 20 January 2026

It was Mathilde's 53rd birthday!

With Prince Alois von Liechtenstein.

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

With the Swiss Minister for Defence, Martin Pfister and the Swiss foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis.

At a session with Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp.

Meeting with UNICEF director Catherine Russell.

She met with the Schwab Foundation and gave the opening address at the award ceremony for new social innovators.

Belgian reception 'Open for business' at the Belgium House.

Dinner hosted by WEF President Børge Brende & co chairmen Larry Fink & André Hoffmann.

Wednesday 21 January 2026

IGWEL lunch (International Gathering of World Economic Leaders).

Queen Mathilde had meetings with WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Tom Fletcher, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, and Director of the International Atomic Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Thursday 22 January 2026

Queen Mathilde had a meeting with UNDP director Alexander De Croo.

By 15:30 the King & Queen were back in Belgium.