The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 Annual Meeting began on 19 January in Davos, Switzerland. Bringing together global political, economic, and financial elites, the summit became the focus of a serious legitimacy debate from its very first day. At the center of the controversy is the inclusion of Ahmed Al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), head of the interim Damascus government, among the invited participants.
Al-Jolani’s presence has triggered widespread criticism, given his past associations with armed jihadist groups and the fact that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which he led, remains on the United Nations terrorism list. Hosting a figure linked to war crimes on an international platform has fueled concerns that al-Jolani is being legitimized in the eyes of the international community. Many observers stress that this is not merely a diplomatic choice, but a move that risks granting international legitimacy to a radical and armed past. Moreover, the development has once again brought accusations of double standards in Western states’ “counterterrorism” discourse to the forefront.
This year’s WEF meetings are being held under the theme “Spirit of Dialogue.” However, as occupation attacks against Rojava continue, the presence in Davos of a figure seen as central to these assaults has revived questions about whom the forum truly serves. In this sense, the WEF is increasingly viewed not as a platform for the victims of global crises, but as a stage that confers international legitimacy on actors associated with war and violence.
Kurds express anger
The invitation extended to al-Jolani to attend the Davos summit has also reopened debate over the neutrality policy of Switzerland, the host country. Opening its doors to a figure associated with human rights violations and listed on terrorism registries is widely seen as meaning that Switzerland is becoming involved in this process not only as a host, but also politically and morally.
This development has sparked particularly strong reactions among the Kurdish community in Switzerland, which numbers more than 100,000 people. Kurdish institutions and civil society organizations state that Switzerland’s stance amounts to the indirect endorsement and normalization of attacks against the Kurdish people.
Public stance is clear: we do not want him
For days, protests have been held against the WEF in Davos and across many other cities in Switzerland, with the public voicing strong opposition to al-Jolani’s invitation. During the demonstrations, slogans such as “No place for war criminals in Davos,” “Rojava is not alone,” and “Not dialogue with terrorists, but accountability” have stood out, while attention has also been drawn to ongoing attacks against Rojava.
Protesters describe al-Jolani’s invitation to Davos as a clear sign that the international community is abandoning its stated principles against jihadist and terrorist structures, and they are calling on Switzerland to refuse to receive him.
Many observers argue that the question of whether al-Jolani will in fact be hosted in Davos is no longer merely a diplomatic detail, but a critical test of how the international system determines under what conditions actors with a history of war and terrorism are deemed legitimate.
As the summit in Davos continues, uncertainty remains over whether al-Jolani, who is expected to speak today, will ultimately take part. Yet the stance of the thousands of people who have been demonstrating for days is unambiguous: they do not want a war criminal who should be put on trial.
Meanwhile, anti-WEF activists have announced that protests in Davos will continue throughout the day.