With more than 1,800 participants from 120 countries, including nine heads of State, 79 ministerial-level officials and 1,160 senior business executives, the second forum established the WIF as arguably the most influential platform for open, inclusive, and high-level international investment discourse.

Participants debated ways in which governments could attract international investors to support economic transformation and set countries on a path towards sustainable and inclusive development.

Reflecting the increasing prominence of Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), the 2012 forum brought together SWF executives and government ministers for the first time at the WIF.

The 8th forum was held in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on the 16-20 October 2023. International investors, including foreign direct investment (FDI) by large corporations, or TNCs, can provide a significant source of external finance for many developing countries.

Such investment has the potential to contribute to capital accumulation in those countries and provide employment and other benefits, such as the provision of infrastructure and the transfer of technology and management know-how.

The WIF has been described by former US President Bill Clinton as "an essential platform for the international community to accelerate investment and encourage sustainable development in … the world's poorest countries".