Qatari Businesswomen Association Signs UNCTAD MoU at World Investment Forum 2026

The Qatari Businesswomen Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNCTAD at the 9th World Investment Forum in Doha, held from 25 to 27 October 2026 under the theme "Investing in the Future." The Peninsula Newspaper reported the signing alongside QBWA's role as a forum partner.

QBWA's Role at the Doha Forum

As a forum partner, QBWA contributed to discussions on women's economic participation, investment and entrepreneurship, and connected international delegates with Qatar's business community. The association co-organized the session "Women Who Invest: Mobilizing Female Capital for the Future" with UNCTAD.

Manu G. Parmar, Founder and CEO of Business Leaders Magazine, moderated the session. Speakers were Fatma Ali Al-Khater, Founder of Torba Market and Founder and Board Member of the Qatar Venture Capital Association; Yulia Stark, Founder and President of EWA Group; Mariela Balbo, Co-Founder and CFO of Crofabiotech; Dalia Al-Khalaf, Founder and Managing Partner of Rawdat Capital; and Rama Chakaki, President of QSTP.

The discussion covered investment knowledge, access to investment opportunities, mobilizing capital for innovation and sustainable growth, and cross-border investment networks. QBWA also hosted a networking dinner for international delegates and members of QBWA and Qatar's business community.

What the UNCTAD Agreement Covers

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for long-term collaboration and joint initiatives supporting women's economic participation. The collaboration is designed to extend beyond the three-day event, with opportunities for continued cooperation in women's entrepreneurship, investment, capacity building and international business engagement.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of QBWA, said: "At QBWA, we have always believed that empowering women is not only about helping them start or grow businesses. It is also about giving them the confidence, knowledge, and opportunities to become investors, leaders, and decision-makers."

Support Tied to the Women in Business Awards

QBWA was an in-kind sponsor of the UNCTAD Women in Business Awards. Vice Chairwoman Aisha Alfardan committed to offering the winners complimentary membership in its business community, with introductions to business leaders, potential partners and organizations.

QBWA Board Member Aysha Khalifa Al Romaihi served on the Awards panel. The association was established in 2000 and operates under the umbrella of the Qatari Businessmen Association.

UNCTAD's Wider Partnership Record

UNCTAD's company records, according to akta.pro company records, list 195 member states and 74 countries where technical cooperation projects are implemented, with 219 active projects. The same records show an April 2026 MoU with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on maritime decarbonization and digitalization, and a May 2026 partnership with the University of Johannesburg on a STI Forum 2026 side event.

Earlier UNCTAD Engagements Before the Forum

UNCTAD added the space economy as a new focus area for the 2026 World Investment Forum in Doha, Gulf Times reported in September 2026, aiming to help developing nations enter the space supply chain. In October 2026, UNCTAD launched a project in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to diversify exports and expand SME participation under AfCFTA, targeting women-led SMEs, B2B Marketplace reported. UNCTAD's World of Debt report, covered by B2B Marketplace in October 2026, said developing economies paid nearly $1 trillion in net interest on public debt in 2025.