Skip to content
News from Turkey

WEF Country Strategy Meeting Highlights Türkiye’s Role in a Fragmenting Global Economy

rte wef

The World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the Government of Türkiye, convened a high-level Country Strategy Meeting in Istanbul on March 27, 2026. Bringing together senior policymakers and global business leaders, the meeting focused on Türkiye’s strategic position amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and economic fragmentation.

Türkiye at the Center of a Changing Global Order

Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye is emerging as a critical hub in an evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.

As a:

  • G20 economy
  • Major industrial producer
  • Regional geopolitical actor

Türkiye plays a key role in:

  • Global trade flows
  • Investment networks
  • Production supply chains

Its geographic connectivity and access to major markets place it in a strong position to expand its role in global value chains.

Reform Agenda and Growth Potential

Participants highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing reform agenda and dynamic private sector as key drivers of future growth.

Key priorities include:

  • Strengthening economic resilience
  • Enhancing competitiveness
  • Improving the investment environment

These factors are seen as essential for sustaining growth in an increasingly volatile global economy.

High-Level Participation from Government and Business

The meeting brought together top-level representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Participants included:

  • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
  • Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz
  • Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
  • Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek
  • Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar
  • Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan

President Erdoğan delivered a keynote address and participated in a high-level strategic dialogue.

A Platform for Public-Private Dialogue

The meeting served as a key platform for dialogue between governments and global business leaders.

Discussions focused on:

  • Economic policy direction
  • Reform priorities
  • Investment climate

A dedicated session on regional dynamics and geopolitical developments was led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Rising Geoeconomic Uncertainty

Business leaders emphasized growing concerns about global volatility.

Key risks identified include:

  • Energy market instability
  • Financial fragmentation
  • Supply chain disruptions

These factors are:

  • Increasing uncertainty
  • Delaying investment decisions
  • Weighing on global growth prospects

Energy Volatility: A Systemic Risk

Energy markets were highlighted as a major source of global vulnerability.

Concerns include:

  • Dependence on fossil fuels
  • Supply disruptions
  • Price shocks

Executives stressed that energy instability can quickly cascade into:

  • Food insecurity
  • Economic disruption
  • Political instability

The transition to renewable energy was framed as both an economic and strategic necessity.

Financial Fragmentation and Investment Risks

Financial sector leaders warned that geopolitical tensions are accelerating fragmentation in global markets.

Potential consequences include:

  • Disruptions to capital flows
  • Increased volatility
  • Pressure on global trade

This fragmentation could:

  • Reduce efficiency
  • Slow productivity growth
  • Delay long-term investments

The Critical Role of Public-Private Cooperation

A central theme of the meeting was the importance of cooperation between governments and the private sector.

  • Governments: provide regulatory clarity and stability
  • Private sector: delivers capital, innovation, and execution

This collaboration is essential for:

  • Financing the energy transition
  • Advancing digital transformation
  • Developing infrastructure

Türkiye’s Opportunity for Regional Leadership

Participants noted that Türkiye has the potential to become a regional leader in several key areas:

  • Energy transition
  • Bioeconomy and innovation
  • Trade and logistics

With the right policy framework and investment environment, Türkiye could strengthen its role as a regional growth hub.

A Fragmenting World, A Strategic Moment

The meeting underscored a broader shift in the global system:

  • Trade, finance, and infrastructure are becoming increasingly fragmented
  • Geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping economic priorities

In this environment:

  • Strategic corridors
  • Energy systems
  • Supply chains

are becoming central to global competition.

Related articles