An IMGlobalWealth.com News Report
The choice of Paris carried symbolic significance. Long associated with the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity, the French capital offered a fitting setting for a Forum centred on opportunity, cooperation and the growing importance of mobility in a more uncertain world.
Opening the Forum, Investment Migration Council (IMC) Chief Executive Bruno L’ecuyer underlined the importance of dialogue, professionalism and collaboration in a sector that continues to evolve rapidly. Throughout the week, speakers returned repeatedly to the themes of trust, transparency, due diligence and responsible frameworks capable of maintaining public confidence while supporting legitimate international investment and mobility.
“For four days, Paris became a meeting point for some of the most influential voices in global mobility. Judging by the quality of debate, the breadth of international representation and the high level of participation throughout the programme, the Investment Migration Forum 2026 succeeded in reaffirming the growing importance of investment migration in a rapidly changing world”
Panama occupied a prominent position during the opening sessions, using the Forum as a platform to showcase its economic strengths, strategic location and growing appeal as an international investment destination. Government representatives, including Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, outlined the country’s ambition to attract global investors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the role investment migration can play in supporting economic development and deeper international engagement. (Read the exclusive IMGW.news interview with Minister Moltó here: link).
The discussions also took place against a more unsettled global backdrop. Rising concerns over economic and political stability in the Gulf, the Middle East, parts of Europe and the United States are sharpening interest in alternative residence and citizenship options.
For many globally mobile families, the search for a Plan B is no longer driven solely by tax efficiency or ease of travel, but by peace of mind, lifestyle, access to quality education and a better quality of life.
The Forum’s agenda reflected the increasing sophistication of the sector. Discussions moved well beyond traditional considerations such as tax planning and visa-free travel. Speakers explored how high-net-worth individuals and families are increasingly seeking stability, security, educational opportunities, lifestyle advantages and long-term resilience amid a volatile global environment.
One of the engaging sessions of the week was the panel discussion entitled IM Without Borders: Trends, Risks and Opportunities, moderated by IMGW News Editor-in-Chief Ray de Bono. The session generated strong audience participation and lively debate, with attendees contributing questions and observations throughout.
The panel examined how geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments, economic uncertainty and shifting client expectations are reshaping the investment migration landscape. Topics ranged from compliance challenges and international cooperation to the broader role of mobility in a world where borders remain important but increasingly interconnected.
Opening the discussion, de Bono placed migration within a wider historical perspective, referencing Lucy, the Australopithecus fossil, and Ötzi the Iceman. His remarks highlighted how human mobility predates modern states, passports and borders by thousands of years, reinforcing the idea that migration is not a modern anomaly, but a defining feature of human civilisation and its development.
The strong engagement generated by the panels reflected one of the Forum’s most notable achievements: its ability to encourage meaningful dialogue between governments, practitioners, academics and private-sector stakeholders. Throughout the four-day gathering, delegates exchanged ideas, challenged assumptions and explored practical solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing issues.
As participants departed Paris, there was a widespread sense that investment migration continues to mature as a sector and expand its relevance beyond traditional boundaries. The conversations taking place were increasingly centred on economic resilience, global competitiveness, talent attraction and international cooperation.
For four days, Paris became a meeting point for some of the most influential voices in global mobility. Judging by the quality of debate, the breadth of international representation and the high level of participation throughout the programme, the Investment Migration Forum 2026 succeeded in reaffirming the growing importance of investment migration in a rapidly changing world.
Further reading on the Investment Migration Forum:
