KPMG at the World Economic Forum in Davos

World Economic Forum (WEF) from 19 to 23 January 2026

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is one of the most important international platforms where leading figures from business, politics and society come together to discuss global challenges and develop solutions. In 2026, the WEF will take place under the motto "A Spirit of Dialogue".

KPMG is a long-standing strategic partner of the World Economic Forum. In this role, we support the WEF's mission to promote constructive dialogue between different perspectives and develop viable answers to complex global issues.

Our event with DIE ZEIT

A special highlight of WEF 2026 was our joint event with DIE ZEIT, which this year was entitled ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Growth in a World Out of Sync’. In front of a packed house, guests looked beyond the uncertainties of the present to the opportunities of tomorrow.

Our CEO Mattias Schmelzer, who gave the opening speech, and moderators Rainer Esser and Uwe Jean Heuser from DIE Zeit welcomed CEOs of renowned companies to the stage to discuss the future of the global economy and the importance of innovation and resilience for sustainable growth.

Bettina Orlopp, CEO of Commerzbank, Dr Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, and Cedrik Neike, member of the Siemens Executive Board and CEO of Digital Industries, reported on their corporate practices and provided numerous thought-provoking ideas for strengthening the German economy.

This year marked the tenth anniversary of the ZEIT event as part of the World Economic Forum. It is now considered an insider event for thought leaders from business, media and science. Once again, this year's plenary session welcomed many CEOs who have themselves been on stage as catalysts in previous years.

The most important topics at the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum in Davos addresses the key economic, technological and geopolitical challenges of our time. The focus is on the responsible use of new technologies, the transformation towards sustainable economic models and the management of geopolitical tensions in an increasingly fragmented world.

A unifying element of all these topics is the need for intensive dialog and close cooperation between the public and private sectors in order to develop sustainable solutions.

Our publications on artificial intelligence, ESG and geopolitics provide in-depth insights.

All Images © Andreas Henn for DIE ZEIT

Panel discussion: ‘What Drives the Deal? AI and the new Logic of M&A’

At a time when artificial intelligence can rapidly transform even established business models, its importance in the context of M&A is growing significantly. At the panel discussion ‘What Drives the Deal?’ at the AI House in Davos, experts discussed how to develop forward-looking, adaptable M&A strategies that keep pace with the speed of technological innovation. The panel discussion was moderated by our Advisory Board member Holger Kneisel.

Participants:

Dagmar Mundani, Corporate Vice-President Mergers, Acquisitions, Post Closing and Governmental Engagement at Siemens
Eva Scherer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck Holding AG and Chief Financial Officer
Dr Alexander Mayer, Head of J.P. Morgan Germany & Austria – Senior Country Officer