The history of IBF
The International Business Forum has been bringing the business world together across the globe since 1995. Below is the forum's journey spanning more than a quarter of a century.
Current congress site
Each IBF congress has its own dedicated site. The programme and registration details of the most recent congress are hosted separately.
- 2021IBF 262021
Baku, Azerbaijan
Held in Baku on 14–17 November 2021 under the theme "The Pearl of Asia," the 26th forum spotlighted Azerbaijan's investment and energy potential in partnership with MÜSİAD.
- 2020IBF 242020
Istanbul, Türkiye
Held online due to the pandemic, the 24th forum addressed disruptions in global trade and supply chains under the theme "The Virus Economy: Surviving and Thriving in a New World."
- 2019IBF 23
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Held in Sarajevo on 17 October 2019 under the theme "Unite to Be One," the 23rd forum brought together 300 companies and more than 700 participants.
- 300
- Companies
- 700+
- Participants
- 2018IBF 22
Istanbul, Türkiye
Opened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan alongside the 17th MÜSİAD EXPO on 20 November 2018, the 22nd forum in Istanbul focused on pluralism and justice in the world monetary system.
- 600
- Participants
- 2017IBF 21
Amman, Jordan
Held alongside the 3rd Silk Road Music Conference in Amman on 18 November 2017, the 21st forum brought together 1,000 business people from 30 countries.
- 30
- Countries
- 1000
- Participants
- 2016IBF 20
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 20th forum in Istanbul centred on competitiveness in the innovation economy and building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- 2015IBF 19
Doha, Qatar
The 19th forum in Doha focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Qatar and Türkiye, particularly in defence and related advanced-technology sectors.
- 2014IBF 18
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 18th forum in Istanbul convened 51 ministers from 39 countries and 7,246 participants from 123 countries.
- 123
- Countries
- 7246
- Participants
- 2013IBF 17
Marrakesh, Morocco
The 17th forum brought roughly 500 business people from 20 countries together in Marrakesh.
- 500
- Participants
- 2012IBF 16
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 16th forum in Istanbul welcomed 30 ministers from 21 countries and 5,000 delegates from 86 countries.
- 86
- Countries
- 5000
- Participants
- 2011IBF 15
Amman, Jordan
The 15th forum was held in Amman on 16–19 May 2011, with more than 900 business people attending from 5 countries.
- 5
- Countries
- 900+
- Participants
- 2010IBF 14
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 14th forum in Istanbul on 5–10 November 2010 brought together 35 members of parliament from 26 countries and more than 5,500 business people from 71 countries.
- 71
- Countries
- 5500+
- Participants
- 2009IBF 13
Cairo, Egypt
The 13th forum was held in Cairo on 12–16 October 2009, with 24 members of parliament from 17 countries and 2,200 business people from 33 countries worldwide.
- 33
- Countries
- 2200
- Participants
- 2008IBF 12
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 12th forum in Istanbul on 21–26 October 2008 welcomed 23 members of parliament from 17 countries and more than 3,250 distinguished business people from 57 countries.
- 57
- Countries
- 3250+
- Participants
- 2007IBF 11
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The 11th forum was held in Abu Dhabi on 27–29 November 2007, with 8 members of parliament from 6 countries and 1,300 business people from 33 countries.
- 33
- Countries
- 1300
- Participants
- 2006IBF 10
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 10th forum in Istanbul on 22–25 November 2006 hosted 13 members of parliament from 13 countries alongside roughly 3,200 business people from 61 countries.
- 61
- Countries
- 3200
- Participants
- 2005IBF 9
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The 9th forum was held in Jeddah on 2–3 October 2005, with 7 members of parliament from 6 countries and 1,050 business people from 15 countries.
- 15
- Countries
- 1050
- Participants
- 2004IBF 8
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 8th forum in Istanbul on 15–18 September 2004 brought together 13 members of parliament from 11 countries and 1,250 business people from 52 countries.
- 52
- Countries
- 1250
- Participants
- 2003IBF 7
Tehran, Iran
The 7th forum was held in Tehran on 18–20 October 2003, gathering more than 1,000 distinguished business people from 7 countries.
- 7
- Countries
- 1000+
- Participants
- 2001IBF 6
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The 6th forum took place in Kuala Lumpur on 12–14 April 2001, drawing more than 300 business people from 28 countries.
- 28
- Countries
- 300+
- Participants
- 2000IBF 5
Cape Town, South Africa
The 5th forum was held in Cape Town on 11–14 April 2000, with more than 250 business people attending from 27 countries.
- 27
- Countries
- 250+
- Participants
- 1998IBF 4
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 4th forum in Istanbul on 18–21 November 1998 welcomed close to 3,000 business people from 47 countries.
- 47
- Countries
- 3000
- Participants
- 1997IBF 3
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 3rd forum was held in Istanbul on 19–22 November 1997, bringing together 3,000 business people from 17 countries.
- 17
- Countries
- 3000
- Participants
- 1996IBF 2
Istanbul, Türkiye
The 2nd forum took place in Istanbul on 20–22 November 1996, hosting 2,941 participants from 27 countries.
- 27
- Countries
- 2941
- Participants
- 1995IBF 1
Lahore, Pakistan
The first International Business Forum was held in Lahore in September 1995, bringing together 980 business people from 23 countries.
- 23
- Countries
- 980
- Participants
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