Agenda Dialogues

The ocean economy contributes over $2.5 trillion to global GDP annually and supports nearly 350 million jobs worldwide. How can key ocean-reliant sectors like shipping, ports, food, energy and tourism drive a regenerative ocean economy that balances economic growth, social prosperity and marine conservation? Find out more about the work of the Ocean Action Agenda, accelerating ambitious solutions...

Water systems are reaching a tipping point, with increasing floods and droughts affecting multiple regions globally. In five years, it is estimated that half the world will face water stress, jeopardizing productivity, public health and food security, and threatening $1.6 trillion in assets. How can we leverage technology, governance and finance innovations to avoid or manage water tipping points?...

The World Economic Forum's Saadia Zahidi sat down with three experts for a briefing on the latest Chief Economists Outlook. ABN Amro Chief Economist Sandra Philippen, Zurich Insurance Chief Market Strategist & Economist Guy Miller, and ICBC Standard Bank Chief China Economist Jinny Yan offered their perspectives on a relatively downbeat outlook, and where we go from here.     Watch the session her...

Research indicates that 3.6 billion people live in areas highly susceptible to climate change and, by 2050, the climate crisis could cause $1.1 trillion in extra costs to healthcare systems around the globe. How is the resilience of key sectors to climate change being measured and how are key actors responding to safeguard public health? This is the full audio of a panel discussion at the World Ec...

Two recent landmark reports on the European Union's economy paint an unforgiving picture of its vulnerabilities, suggesting the region faces the prospect of "slow agony". At current productivity and demographic trends, Europe's economic output is forecast to be the same in 2050 as it is today. With much of the power to correct course residing in national capitals, what will it take for leaders to...

Looking at global headlines today, it's hard not to feel pessimism. Have recent wars, pandemics and autocracies made the idea of progress obsolete? Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker uses data and psychology to provide a fresh perspective on progress: why it is so hard to achieve and what ideas were responsible for progress in the past and will be needed for progress to continue? This is the full a...

From integrating next-generation technologies into curricula to addressing national perceptions of cultural issues, education is at a pivotal moment in ensuring that it adequately trains and teaches future generations. In this town hall, leaders debate what success can look like for education globally. This is the full audio from a session at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting on 22 January...

Artificial general intelligence could possess the versatility to reason, learn and innovate in any task. But with rising concerns about job losses, surveillance and deepfakes, will AGI be a force for progress or a threat to the very fabric of humanity? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting 2025. https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/session...

In December 2024, over 170 countries gathered to conclude a global treaty to reach a plastic pollution-free world by 2040. While negotiations were inconclusive, the countries sought to complete the process in 2025, highlighting an urgent, time-bound need to bridge remaining areas of divergence. What will it take to land the treaty to end plastic pollution and how can business and government be sup...

Nearly five years since the COVID-19 pandemic upended the global economy, growth is slow but stable, inflation has gradually declined in advanced economies and trade trends have turned positive. Despite this, there remain challenges such as high public debt burdens, ongoing geo-economic tensions and the potential impact of industrial policies on smaller countries. Given this landscape, what are th...

With AI, space exploration and biotechnology advancing rapidly, some see these innovations as solutions to humanity's greatest challenges, while others raise concerns about ethics, society and inequality. In this town hall, leaders debate how to responsibly harness emerging technologies to maximize benefits while minimizing risks. Speakers include: Dava Newman Director, MIT Media Lab Yann LeCun Vi...

From disruptions to critical infrastructure to cyber biothreats, geopolitical crises are extending into uncharted territories. How can the international community move towards a detente in cyberspace? This session was developed in collaboration with Foreign Policy Magazine and recorded live at the Annual Meeting in Davos Switzerland on January 23, 2025.  Watch a video of this session here: https:/...

As the race for AI leadership intensifies, access to resilient digital infrastructure, advanced computer capabilities and strong public-private investment are essential. A few countries are sprinting ahead, securing their competitive advantage, while others struggle to keep up. What strategies can bridge this growing AI divide and ensure more equitable access to AI benefits globally? This is the f...

After almost a decade since the Paris Agreement changed the global landscape of net zero, several open questions remain on how to increase the speed and scale of inclusive climate action. What is on the agenda for COP30 in Brazil and how can all stakeholder groups unlock a new era for collaboration on climate and nature? This session was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland January...

Global growth remains slow, projected at 3.3% in 2025, which is markedly lower than the global trend growth over the past 30 years of around 4%. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains high as the world continues to recover from economic shocks and navigates the changing geoeconomics. What are the pathways to transition from the growth we have to the growth we need, growth that is not only faster but also...

As the first Republican Party candidate to win the United States popular vote in 20 years, Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated as president at noon on 20 January 2025. This special session -- the first of the 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos -- will gather media leaders to explore how the new administration will operate. This session was recorded ahead of the US inauguration January 20, 2025 at the An...

What to expect from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025? This is the full audio from a media briefing held on 14 January, ahead of #WEF25 which happens on 20-24 January 2025 in Davos, Switzerland. Speakers: Børge Brende, President and CEO, World Economic Forum Mirek Dusek, Managing Director, World Economic Forum Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, World Economic Forum Yann Zopf, Head of Me...

As the world navigates rising geopolitical tensions, record-breaking heat, and technological revolutions, global cooperation is at a crossroads. The World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company present the second edition of the Global Cooperation Barometer, a vital tool to measure and guide collaboration across trade, technology, climate, health, and security. This is the full audio from a media br...

By 2027, businesses predict that almost half (44%) of workers' core skills will be disrupted. From AI tutors to lifelong learning schemes, what approaches and opportunities hold the greatest potential to close gaps and prepare people for tomorrow's economy? This session has been developed in collaboration with CNBC. This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the Global Future C...

From vulnerabilities associated with autonomous decision-making to AI-powered attacks, rapid advances in AI agents can pose novel threats to organizations and society. What responsibility-based strategies must businesses adopt to leverage AI agents effectively while minimizing emerging cybersecurity risks? This is the full audio from a discussion hosted at the World Economic Forum in Geneva on 13...

As the global order becomes increasingly fragmented, understanding the drivers of geopolitical shifts is essential for anticipating risks and opportunities in the year ahead. How will emerging geopolitical trends shape the global landscape in 2025 and what strategies can nations and businesses adopt to navigate these complexities? This session analyses the key geopolitical challenges and opportuni...

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances, foundational technology domains are converging to create new opportunities. In addition to their breakthrough potential, the simultaneous development of quantum, robotics, AI and more are accelerating mutual advancements. What are the driving forces behind this convergence and how can organizations position themselves strategically within it for future...

From bespoke gene editing to AI-powered healthcare, we are living in an age of breakthroughs propelled by advances in AI. What are the trade-offs societies and industries need to manage as AI adoption progresses? Speaker: Erik Brynjolfsson, Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Professor; Director, Digital Economy Lab, Stanford University Host: Zeina Soufan, Senior Anchor, Asharq News This is the full aud...

From mining to manufacturing, achieving a successful energy transition and net-zero emissions will require industries to accelerate their pace of decarbonization. What new innovations and technologies can make decarbonization more efficient, cost-effective and scalable? This session was recorded live September 23, 2024 during the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meetings.  Spe...

Generative AI holds the potential to transform a broad range of economic activities and to help address the world's most pressing development challenges. However, the benefits of this technological revolution are not yet shared by all globally. What actions can policy-makers and innovators take now to realize AI's promise while ensuring that its benefits lead to shared prosperity for all? This ses...