Davos, Switzerland – As the global elite gather in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Smriti Irani is poised to champion India's commitment to gender equity and equality. Irani, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, will lead discussions and initiatives aimed at fostering women's empowerment and translating policy ideas into concrete action.
Irani's participation marks the three-year anniversary of the Alliance for Global Good, which she founded to drive gender equity from mere advocacy to tangible implementation within economic and institutional frameworks. The Alliance's work will be showcased through the WE Lead Lounge, a platform for convening policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives to build practical, cross-sector partnerships. The WE Lead Lounge, scheduled from January 20-22, is organized in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, the Women Collective Forum, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Over twelve strategic dialogues will be hosted, with participation from global organizations including Deloitte, Bain, Kearney, The Adecco Group, Bank of America, and Vital Voices. Discussions will focus on aligning policy, capital, and capability to strengthen partnerships beyond the Davos meeting.
This year's agenda emphasizes global cooperation on women's empowerment and the role of technology in supporting women entrepreneurs. Discussions will also center on economic resilience, workforce preparedness, and inclusive growth. The WEF emphasizes that investing in women is a strategic imperative for an AI-driven global economy, advocating for a three-pronged, gender-focused investment strategy. This includes closing the foundational STEM gap by encouraging young women to pursue STEM disciplines, upskilling women in the workforce (particularly in emerging economies) with training in digital fluency, AI literacy, and human-centric skills, and private sector-led flexible learning programs.
India is sending a strong delegation to Davos, including key ministers and chief ministers, alongside top CEOs. Indian leaders are slated to participate in panel discussions, including one on India's potential to become the world's third-largest economy. Several Indian delegates are scheduled to speak on panels related to digital transformation, green energy transition and global trade corridors. Business leaders from India expected to be present include Mukesh Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Sanjiv Bajaj, Hari S Bhartia, Sudarshan Venu and Anish Shah.
Smriti Irani's presence at Davos 2026 underscores India's commitment to advancing gender equity on the global stage. Her efforts through the Alliance for Global Good and the WE Lead Lounge aim to foster collaboration and drive measurable outcomes for women's empowerment worldwide.
