South Asia’s definitive thought leadership dialogue, The Times Group’s ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 co-powered by Spark Capital and Bennett University, is back. The Summit will be held on February 13 and 14 in New Delhi, with the theme ‘A Decade of Disruption, A Century of Change’. This has been, by most accounts, a decade of unprecedented disruption, marked by seismic shifts in geopolitics, climate, capital and technology. In fact, over these ten years, the world has learnt to view disruption not just as a rare event but almost as a constant. There is a new and often chaotic world order and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has already disrupted the way we live and work. Then, rapid and unforeseen climate change emergencies have often required an urgent systemic response, which needs resources and newer SOPs. And, the Covid19 pandemic and a large number of economic realignments have simultaneously fractured legacy models.
This period has been characterised by constant uncertainty and accelerated transformation. Artificial Intelligence has rapidly evolved from a niche innovation into a foundational technology, reshaping industries, redefining productivity, and changing the way people live, work, and communicate. At the same time, climate change has intensified, triggering extreme weather events and environmental crises that demand urgent, large-scale, and coordinated responses. Governments and corporations alike have been compelled to rethink sustainability, resilience, and long-term planning while balancing growth with responsibility.
Adding to this complexity, the Covid-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, healthcare systems, and economic structures. It also accelerated digital adoption and remote work, while forcing organisations to reassess traditional business models. Alongside these shifts, economic realignments, rising protectionism, and evolving trade dynamics have fractured legacy systems and challenged established assumptions about globalisation. Together, these forces have pushed the world beyond simply managing change toward entering what many describe as a true Century of Change.
In this context, new paradigms of leadership, governance, and growth must be reimagined. Future-ready leadership now requires adaptability, ethical innovation, inclusivity, and a strong commitment to resilience. The ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 aims to serve as a vital platform for meaningful dialogue on these themes, bringing together diverse perspectives to address pressing socio-economic and business challenges. The summit will encourage conversations that go beyond short-term solutions and focus on shaping sustainable and equitable futures.
It is particularly fitting that India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy and an increasingly influential global power, hosts this landmark gathering. India’s growth story, demographic dividend, and innovation-driven ecosystem position it uniquely to convene global leaders, policymakers, and visionaries. Over the past decade, the Global Business Summit has demonstrated exceptional convening power, hosting Nobel laureates, heads of state, senior policymakers, global business leaders, technocrats, and renowned thinkers from across the world.
Previous editions have welcomed distinguished personalities such as Prime Minister of Guyana Mr. Mark Anthony Phillips, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Blackstone Group’s Stephen A. Schwarzman, Apple’s Steve Wozniak, Airbnb’s Brian Chesky, Netflix’s Reed Hastings, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Bill Winters, and Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson. These interactions have often influenced policy discussions, strategic thinking, and business practices across multiple sectors.
The 2026 edition will delve into defining challenges and opportunities, including economic disruption, Industry 5.0, the future of globalisation, workforce transformation, energy security, and business diversification. With over 2,000 high-profile delegates expected to attend, ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 promises to be a powerful forum for collaboration, insight-sharing, and shaping the global agenda for the decades ahead.
By fostering open dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, the summit seeks to inspire actionable ideas, strategic partnerships, and long-term visions that can help societies navigate uncertainty, harness innovation responsibly, and build resilient economies capable of thriving amid constant change and shared global challenges. It aims to influence decisions that shape markets, policies, and leadership.
