OPEC Fund
Development Forum 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - Hofburg Palace, Vienna
Why Attend?
The OPEC Fund Development Forum is a strategic platform that transforms dialogue into tangible outcomes, convening global leaders to:
Forge high–level partnerships
Mobilize capital for priority development needs
Align South–South cooperation with 21st–century challenges
At the 2025 Forum, announced commitments exceeded US$6 billion, including major climate, trade and financing initiatives. Take these achievements to the next level, by adding your voice to the 2026 Forum.
30+
Speakers
99
Countries Represented
600+
In-person Attendees
Dear Development Partners,
It is my great pleasure to invite you to the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2026, taking place in a year of special significance as we mark our Golden Jubilee under the theme “Where Partnership Powers Progress.”
This milestone comes at a moment of profound challenge for the global community. Amid growing geopolitical crises, we are reminded more than ever of the importance of constructive engagement, dialogue and shared purpose. The OPEC Fund was founded on these very principles and they continue to guide our mission today.
Against this backdrop, this year’s Forum will once again convene under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow.” Discussions will focus on practical ways to advance development impact and strengthen resilience, especially in vulnerable nations.
Our Forum remains a platform to deepen collaboration, exchange perspectives and translate ambition into action. As we mark 50 years of partnership, we also look ahead with determination and hope to the future we can build collectively.
We look forward to welcoming you,
Abdulhamid Alkhalifa
President
“Forums like this are very useful because they provide platforms for dialogue and for finding the right strategic partners. There’s no substitute for direct contact and one–on–one relations.”
Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe
Vice President and Minister of Finance, Botswana
This special anniversary edition of the OPEC Fund Development Forum will honor 50 years of delivering development impact and set a forward-looking agenda — for scaling solutions, mobilizing partnerships and translating ambitions into measurable results.
The Forum will bring together heads of state, ministers from member and partner countries, global CEOs and other policymakers from the worlds of finance and development. Together, we will unlock practical opportunities for cooperation and investment that support inclusive, resilient and sustainable progress for people and planet, under the theme:
A Transition that Empowers Our Tomorrow
Woochong Um
Chief Executive Officer, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
“There are two types of risk: Real risk and perceived risk. Real risk you can do something about. Perceived risk is much harder to deal with.”
Venue
The OPEC Fund Development Forum 2026 will take place at the Hofburg Imperial Palace — one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks, steeped in centuries of history. Today, it includes the office and residence of the Federal President of Austria, while other parts of the vast complex serve as a world-class event venue. https://www.hofburg.com/
Hofburg Vienna - Heldenplatz - 1010 Wien, Österreich
Logistics
Visas
Travelers from outside the EU Schengen Area generally require a visa to enter Austria. Please check your specific visa requirements well in advance and ensure your travel documents are valid for the duration of your stay.
Participants who require a Schengen visa are kindly asked to visit the
website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, which provides a directory of Austrian embassies and consulates worldwide.
Local transportation
The Organizing Team will run a shuttle bus service between the Hofburg Conference Centre and the official accommodation at the Hilton Vienna Park Hotel.
Participants staying elsewhere are kindly advised to use Vienna’s world-class public transit system or taxi services to reach the venue.
The Hofburg is centrally located and easily accessible via U-Bahn (U3 Herrengasse or U1/U3 Stephansplatz), tram and bus.
Plan your route using the city’s public transit planner: Wiener Linien Journey Planner
Arriving by Plane/Train
Plane: Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the city’s main airport, located approximately 30 minutes from the Hofburg Conference Centre by taxi, train or bus.
Regular City Airport Train (CAT) and S-Bahn services offer convenient and affordable rail connections to the city center.
Taxis and ride-hailing services are also readily available at the airport.
Train: Travelling to Vienna by train is a comfortable and environmentally friendly option. The city is well-connected to major European destinations through high-speed rail. Vienna’s main railway stations — Wien Hauptbahnhof, Wien Westbahnhof and Wien Mitte — are all a short subway or taxi ride from the Hofburg Conference Centre.
For more information on rail connections, visit
ÖBB – Austrian Federal Railways.
Accommodation
List of recommended hotels
Hilton Hotel Park
(Official Forum Hotel)
Am Stadtpark 1, 1030 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 71700
Email:
info.vienna@hilton.com
Website
Vienna Marriott Hotel
Grand Hotel Wien
Park Hyatt Vienna
InterContinental Vienna
Grand Ferdinand Vienna
Frequently asked questions
Is the event open to the public?
In-person attendance at the 2026 OPEC Fund Development Forum is by invitation only due to limited capacity. However, individuals with a strong interest in attending may contact the OPEC Fund Events Team at events@opecfund.org. While we cannot guarantee availability, we will review expressions of interest and follow up if space permits. We also encourage all interested parties to watch the sessions via live stream.
How do I register to attend the OPEC Fund Development Forum?
Invited general participants and media representatives can register for the Development Forum here.
Important Note:
- All Development Forum participants must register online.
- All applicants for registration are subject to accreditation by the OPEC Fund.
- Each email address can only be registered once.
- The deadline for registration is June 2, 2026 6:00 p.m., (GMT+2). Onsite registration will not be possible.
- For any inquiries regarding registration, including updates or modifications to your registration information, please contact events@opecfund.org.
- All Development Forum participants must register online.
Is there a registration deadline?
Yes. The deadline to register is June 2, 2026. Onsite registration for in-person participation will not be available.
Do I need to pay to attend the OPEC Fund Development Forum?
No. Registration for the Development Forum is free. However, participants are responsible for their own travel, visa and accommodation expenses.
Who may attend the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner?
The 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner is a commemorative, invitation-only event hosted by the OPEC Fund to mark five decades of partnership and development impact. Attendance is limited to specially invited guests.
Only participants who receive a dedicated gala confirmation will be granted access. A Forum registration confirmation does not automatically include attendance at the Gala Dinner.
What is the best way to get to Vienna?
The Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the primary airport serving the Austrian capital. It is located southeast of the city center and connected by train, taxi or bus.
What is the best way to get to the Development Forum venue?
We encourage you to take advantage of Vienna’s world-class public transit system which offers trams, buses or the U-Bahn (subway), all of which have stops within walking distance of the venue. Plan your route using the city’s public transit planner: Wiener Linien Journey Planner
Do I need a visa to travel to Vienna?
Travelers from outside the Schengen Area are generally required to obtain a visa to enter Austria. We strongly recommend checking your specific visa requirements well in advance and ensuring that your travel documents are valid for the duration of your stay.
Meeting participants requiring a Schengen visa to attend the Development Forum please visit the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs in Vienna, Austria. The page provides a comprehensive directory of Austrian embassies and consulates worldwide, including contact details and links to individual mission websites where visa application procedures and requirements are outlined.
Where do I collect my badge for the Development Forum?
All participants must collect their Development Forum badge at the registration desk on June 23, beginning at 8:30 a.m. A breakfast buffet will also be served during badge collection.
Participants can also collect their badges at the Pre-registration desk at the Hilton Vienna Park (Am Stadtpark 1, 1030 Vienna) on June 21-22, 2026 from 09:00 – 18:00.
Will there be Wi-Fi available at the venue?
Yes, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi will be provided throughout the venue.
What is the dress code for the Development Forum?
Standard business attire is appropriate for all Development Forum sessions.
For the evening’s invitation-only gala dinner, business formal attire is recommended.
What language will the event be conducted in?
The official language of the Development Forum is English.
Will the Development Forum be livestreamed?
Yes, public sessions of the Development Forum will be livestreamed for virtual attendees. Links will be provided on the event page prior to the event.
Who can I contact for more information?
For general inquiries about the Forum, please contact: events@opecfund.org or the contact form on this page.
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