The ET NOW Global Business Summit (GBS) 2026 wrapped up on 14 February 2026 after two days of high-level discussion on the future of technology, geopolitics, business resilience, innovation and global cooperation. Hosted by The Times Group under the theme “A Decade of Disruption. A Century of Change,” the ninth edition of the summit brought together global leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, scientists and corporate strategists for a series of strategic dialogues designed to shape economic and technological trajectories in a rapidly evolving world.
Held in New Delhi, the summit’s agenda featured a rich blend of plenary sessions, innovation showcases, strategic panels and closed-door roundtables. With participants from more than 55 countries and representation from senior leadership across government, industry and academia, GBS 2026 reaffirmed its position as one of Asia’s premier platforms for global leadership dialogue.
Global Leaders and Cross-Sector Voices
The summit featured a distinguished lineup of speakers representing diverse sectors and geographies. Among the notable voices were India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose presence underscored the summit’s strategic significance, as well as HM Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and H.E. Charles Michel, former Prime Minister of Belgium and President Emeritus of the European Council. Alongside them, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, and regional leaders such as Chief Ministers Nayab Singh Saini and Devendra Fadnavis offered perspectives on economic growth, digital policy and infrastructure development.
Corporate and innovation leaders also contributed to the breadth of insight throughout the summit. Executives from sectors spanning fintech, healthcare, education and space technology, including founders and CEOs such as Raul John Aju of AIRealm and Rohan Malhotra of Roadzen, explored how data, automation and strategic leadership can unlock new opportunities for growth and global competitiveness.
Key Themes and Strategic Dialogues
At the heart of GBS 2026 were discussions that mapped the complexity of today’s global landscape and charted pathways toward sustainable progress:
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Technology, Innovation and Digital Growth: Sessions examined the transformative power of AI, digital infrastructure and frontier technologies, reflecting how enterprises can harness innovation to build resilience and competitive advantage.
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Geopolitics and Economic Stability: A prominent panel on Risk, Resilience and the New Global Order stressed that while multipolarity may offer a more inclusive global structure, the absence of shared rules and cooperative frameworks could deepen instability. Panelists called for greater strategic collaboration among global powers to mitigate risk and foster stability in a fragmented world.
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Policy, Governance and Global Cooperation: Speakers highlighted the critical importance of robust policy alignment, inclusive governance and multi-stakeholder dialogue. H.E. Ambassador Lazar Comanescu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, stressed regional partnerships and multilateral cooperation as key drivers of economic and political stability.
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Energy Transition and Sustainability: Discussions around energy underscored the transition from traditional fuels to sustainable alternatives, with insights into how policy, investment and strategic execution can accelerate cleaner growth without compromising energy security.
Outcomes and Forward Momentum
By the summit’s close, delegates echoed a shared consensus that global disruptions are not just challenges but catalysts for reinvention. Participants highlighted the need for:
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Stronger public-private partnerships, where governments and industry work in concert on strategic initiatives that advance innovation while preserving societal values.
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Investment in education, technology and research, to drive inclusive growth and ensure that emerging economies play a central role in shaping future global systems.
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Ethical governance of AI and data infrastructure, balancing rapid technological adoption with responsibility and equity.
These takeaways reinforce the summit’s mission: to move beyond dialogue toward actionable strategies that address the real-world complexity of business, policy and societal change.
As global leaders depart New Delhi with renewed commitment and collaborative resolve, GBS 2026 demonstrated that the path forward though marked by disruption is navigable through shared vision, resilient structures and collective intelligence.
