The Gulf states are sending major delegations to Davos, but a deepening Saudi‑UAE rift — intensified after the collapse of their Yemen coalition — is overshadowing economic agendas. Public accusations and calls for an emergency GCC meeting have heightened tensions, even as both states remain US partners. Davos is unlikely to resolve the disputes, though the Swiss forum will host spirited, high‑level exchanges.
Saudi‑UAE Rift Overshadows Davos Delegations as Geopolitical Tensions Rise
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are sending large delegations of ministers, royals and business leaders to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. While finance, economic development and technology top their commercial agendas, regional geopolitics — including Gaza, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — are dominating discussion and attention.
At the centre of many of these disputes is a widening rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Gulf’s two largest economies are openly at odds following the collapse of their coalition in Yemen, and observers say the resulting public sparring is the most pronounced division among Gulf states since the end of the Qatar embargo in 2021.
Competing Narratives
Each side presents a distinct interpretation of recent events. Analysts sympathetic to Riyadh argue that Saudi policy seeks to defend state sovereignty and preserve regional order, accusing Abu Dhabi of empowering secessionist actors to maintain influence in fragile or failing states. Conversely, commentators aligned with the UAE contend that Saudi Arabia has gravitated toward an Islamist axis centred on Ankara, Doha and Islamabad, leaving Abu Dhabi — and Israel — to confront political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Tensions Play Out Publicly
Both countries remain US partners, which creates a potential role for President Donald Trump as an arbiter. Until any mediation occurs, however, tensions are playing out in public. Saudi outlets have published strong accusations of Abu Dhabi’s "recklessness and crimes" in Yemen and Sudan, while a prominent UAE academic has urged an emergency Gulf Cooperation Council meeting to address what he described as dangerous media incitement.
What to expect in Davos: Organisers do not expect the World Economic Forum to resolve the regional disputes, and global attention is also focused on other high-profile rows — notably over Greenland and NATO. Nevertheless, the Swiss meetings are likely to produce robust, high-stakes exchanges among Gulf delegations and international figures.
This year’s Davos will feature several notable firsts, including President Trump’s first in-person attendance of his second term and first-time participation by many UN leaders — developments Mina Al-Orabi, editor-in-chief at The National, says make the forum especially relevant this year.
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