AM26 Arts and Culture Brochure

The AM26 Opening Concert is designed to set an inspiring tone for the dialogue and collaboration that will shape the discourse and direction of the days to follow. More than a cultural prelude, the concert is a powerful testament to music’s unparalleled capacity to dissolve boundaries, bridge differences and reaffirm the shared values that anchor our humanity. In an era marked by fragmentation – social, geopolitical and technological – music emerges as a rare and universal language of connection. It speaks directly to emotion while inviting reflection, collaboration and empathy across divisions of culture, ideology and geography. The Opening Concert is envisioned not simply as a performance but as a powerful statement, a testament to how creativity and culture can work in harmony to inspire a more connected, compassionate and cohesive world. As participants gather from across the globe, the concert will underscore a critical truth, that sustainable progress depends not only on economic strategy and technological advancement but also on the human capacity for understanding and shared purpose. In bringing together diverse voices, the concert embodies the spirit of collaboration, empathy and hope that defines the World Economic Forum’s mission, reminding all present that harmony, musical and societal alike, is both an aspiration and an achievable goal when pursued together.Location: Plenary Hall, Congress Centre Date & time: 19 January, 18:00-19:00 Image: The Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Credit: Deniz Saylan Arts and Culture Programme Arts and Culture Programme Annual Meeting 2026 Annual Meeting 20264 5