LEF 2026 Event Schedule
The annual Forum is divided into an Inaugural Summit Day and a Plenary Session Day plus Gala Dinner & Awards.
The Inaugural Summit Day will feature high-level global summits on West Asia and Africa, alongside dedicated sessions on two of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India and China. To inspire and empower the next generation, a special Youth Summit will run in parallel, offering young people access to thought leaders and global innovators.
The special Tech Summit will assemble some of the brightest minds to share their expertise with an august audience.
Inaugural Ceremony & Key Note Speeches
1. Is Globalisation in Retreat? Trump 2.0, Tariffs and the Resurgence of Economic Nationalism
2. A New World Order? Europe’s Security Strains and the Fragmentation of the Western Defence and Economic Architecture
3. Energy Security Under Threat? Middle East Tensions and the Geopolitics of Supply Chains
4. The Rise of China and the Role of India: Redefining Global Power, Markets, Productivity and Progress
1. London’s Role in Global Finance: Legacy, Leadership & Innovation
2. Fintech Regulation: Balancing Innovation and Systemic Stability
3. Sustainable Finance: Green Bonds, ESG Metrics, and Market Realities
4. Destination London: Capital Flows and Investor Confidence
1. Aspirations vs Reality: Why Is the New Generation Struggling to Achieve Economic Security?
2. Degrees, Debt and Disillusionment: The Student Loan Burden and the Crisis of Low Salaries
3. AI, Automation and the Future of Work: Opportunity or Job Displacement?
4. Education in a Disruptive World: Are Schools Preparing Youth for 2035?
1. Start-Up London: Scaling Innovation in the Global Arena
2. AI Governance: Ethics, Regulation & Global Power Shifts
3. The Next Frontier: Investing in Biotech, Deep Tech & FinTech
4. From Lab to Market: Strengthening University-Industry Innovation Pipelines
5. Smart Cities and Digital Infrastructure: Building the Fourth Industrial Revolution
6 Digital Currencies and the New Financial Order: Empowering Global Trade, Remittances, and Inclusion
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
1. UK-China Ties: The Future of UK–China Relations in a Changing Global Order
2. Tech Superpower: AI Leadership, Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Sovereignty
3. Production House 2.0: Can China Sustain Its Manufacturing Dominance?
4. Markets, Capital and Connectivity: Investment Flows Between the UK and China
5. Diaspora, Youth and Soft Power: Building the Next Generation Bridge Between Britain and China
1. From Hydrocarbons to High-Tech: Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman as Emerging Innovation Hubs
2. Tourism, Aviation and the Experience Economy: Positioning the Arab World as a Global Gateway
3. Demographic Challenge? Harnessing the Energy of a Young, Educated Population
4. Economic Diplomacy and Regional Integration: Strengthening Trade and Investment Through Multilateral Platforms
5.The New Arab Economic Renaissance: Vision-Led Reforms and Structural Transformation
Breakout Session III : Afternoon Session
1. Global Manufacturing Hub: From “Make in India” to “Make for the World”
2. India’s Global Ambitions: India’s Expanding Economic and Strategic Footprint
3. The Power of a Billion: Harnessing India’s Young Population and Expanding Consumer Market
4. From the Moon to Mars: India’s Leap in Space Research and Deep-Tech Innovation
5. Democracy, Digital Governance and Development: India’s Institutional Strength in a Fragmented World
Breakout Session IV : Afternoon Session
1. Africa Rising: From Resource Dependency to Value-Added Growth
2. Political Stability and Economic Confidence: The Foundation for Sustainable Investment
3. The World’s Youngest Continent: Turning Demographic Power into Economic Dividends
4. Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries: Africa’s Untapped Global Brand
5. Infrastructure, Trade and the AfCFTA Opportunity: Connecting North, South, East and West Africa
Opening Ceremony and Key Note Speeches
1. London’s Post-Brexit Economic Diplomacy: Gateway or bridge?
2. Rewiring Globalisation: Trade, Tariffs & Alliances in a Fragmented World
3. FDI in a polyresins Era: Navigating Risk, Trust & strategic opportunity
4. London and the Global South: Gulf, Asia, Africa & the New Corridors of Commerce
5. Sovereign Wealth Funds and London: Reinventing Global Financial Image
1. The impact of multipolar competition between the US, China, Europe and Global South
2. Global trade disruptions, sanctions, supply-chain realignment, and new trade corridors
3. The rise of economic blocs and their implications for London as a global hub
4. Global growth projections and post-crisis recovery pathways
5. Inflation, interest rate cycles, and the future of central banking
Partner Country Session offers a powerful platform to showcase flagship projects, tourism potential and priority investment sectors in a selected country. Senior leaders present incentives and growth opportunities to promote the country as a dynamic destination for global investors and strategic partners.
1. Cyber Sovereignty & AI Security: The New Digital Arms Race
2. Energy Security in Transition: Conflict or Convergence?
3. The Geopolitics of Energy: From Oil to Hydrogen and Beyond
4. Strategic Supply Chains: Minerals, Energy & Infrastructure
5. Defence Innovation & Dual-Use Tech: Civilian Spillovers
6. New-age warfare, cyber defence, and hybrid threats
• Global climate commitments and the path to net zero
• Urban sustainability and green city models
• Energy transitions, carbon markets, and circular economy innovations
• The social dimension: inclusive growth, workforce wellbeing, and future labour demands
A signature session dedicated to three pillars of human progress: This integrated session will explore how societies can thrive by prioritising wellbeing, stability, and future-ready skills.
Health:
• Innovations in healthcare, digital health ecosystems, and global preparedness
• Lessons from recent crises and building resilient public health systems
Housing:
• Global housing shortages, affordability solutions, and urban planning for future cities
• Public–private models for sustainable residential development
High Skills – The Role of Education
• Building a high-skilled workforce fit for the AI, robotics, and green-tech revolutions
• New education models, talent pipelines, and closing the skills gap
1 The power of media in shaping global narratives and democratic discourse
2 The future of journalism: technology, trust, and the new information ecosystem
3 The rise of streaming, gaming and immersive media
4 How London’s cultural capital strengthens its global brand and soft power
5 The role of entertainment, arts, and culture in fostering social cohesion and international collaboration
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