With Klaus Schwab gone after more than five decades, the World Economic Forum, which he founded, enters a new chapter. The question for the development community is whether Davos 2026 becomes a platform for action or a cleaner stage for the same old power. The big question still lingers on: What will the World Economic Forum’s leadership upheaval mean for development?
Until the 2026 WEF, currently underway, Schwab had been entirely synonymous with the World Economic Forum. His departure from the forum was prefaced by him transitioning into the role of board chair ahead of Davos 2025, with his subsequent resignation in April 2025, following whistleblower allegations and an internal investigation. This signals a fundamental reset for an institution that has long positioned itself as the conscience of global capitalism.
As nearly 3,000 leaders descend on the Swiss Alps under the theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue,” development professionals should understand this transition. The real story is the power shift behind the curtain — and it matters for international development far more than the ski town optics suggest. Devex has chronicled this tension, asking whether Davos is “testing the limits” in a world of power, profit, and inequality.
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About the author
Benbella Dektar
Benbella Dektar is an international development leader, writer, and commentator with extensive experience tracking global development policy and financing debates, including at the World Economic Forum. He is currently a roving consultant and has worked across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, partnering with governments, multilaterals, and NGOs to translate global commitments into practical reforms for communities.
