The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Forum will explore how communities can navigate shifting trade dynamics to seize local opportunities and drive growth. International trade is a powerful driver of local productivity and job creation, but the benefits have been uneven – and recent shocks have exposed vulnerabilities. As trade flows are reshaped by technological change, geopolitical tensions, environmental pressures and supply disruptions, local communities face new risks — but also fresh opportunities to reinvent their economies. The Meeting will spotlight strategies by the private, public and non-profit sectors to support workers through transition, strengthen locally rooted production in strategic sectors, and help communities stay open, competitive and resilient in a rapidly changing global economy.
The Meeting is structured around four pillars:
- PILLAR I: Leveraging data-driven insights to identify risks and opportunities for local labour markets
- PILLAR II: Adapting local development strategies in an evolving global economy
- PILLAR III: Facilitating upskilling and worker transitions amid changing industry needs
- PILLAR IV: Enabling local business and entrepreneurs in new markets and value chains
