Agenda Dialogues

Global decision makers will convene at three COPs on the Biodiversity, Climate and Desertification agendas this year. As the planet risks maintaining a pathway to 3C of warming, with intensifying land degradation and a million animal and plant species at risk of extinction, a coordinated approach is fundamental to maintain momentum on the net-zero, nature-positive transition. How can actors from t...

Water is crucial for human life and the economy, with its economic use value estimated at 60% of global GDP. However, investment in water solutions remains significantly low. This is the full audio from a studio session on 12 September, 2024 with leading investors and innovators discussing the untapped potential in water solutions and exploring the findings of the recently launched community paper...

Clean air is essential for our health, yet millions of people around the world are affected by air pollution each year, leading to premature deaths and severe health issues. Vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, are especially at risk. A lack of transparency in data, insufficient political will, and limited funding are often barriers to progress.   Impr...

Scroll down for full podcast transcript - click the 'Show more' arrow The discovery of the world's first functional graphene semiconductor, along with significant advancements in neuromorphic computing and the release of AI superchips are poised to accelerate computing power. How are these breakthroughs reshaping the future of industry and what are the latest AI applications? This is the full audi...

While some supply chains have held up better than feared since the pandemic, in the years following 2008 global trade growth has stagnated as governments and companies have progressively been seeking to diversify. Hear this session to learn about recent trends in globalization and what the current landscape means for the future. This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the Ne...

Amid signs of potential economic optimism, a complex array of risks threatens to derail progress. From tackling climate emergencies, to rising geopolitical tensions and the accelerating infodemic, how can global collaboration and innovation protect and propel economic growth? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC24) on June 26, 2024. Watch it here:...

As interest in technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotechnology pivot from early investment to practical application, public and private organizations are seeking out their real impact on productivity, organization and growth. How can the nascent innovations of today forge a new path forward? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the New Ch...

Advancing women's employment could add $12 trillion to global GDP and boost some countries' economic output by as much as 35%. Against a backdrop of stalling progress globally, how can economies, businesses and capital markets tackle gender gaps to unlock new pathways for inclusive and sustainable growth? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC24) on...

The prospects for global growth have been steadily improving this year, with the IMF projecting 3.2% growth in 2024 and 41% of chief economists having upgraded their forecasts in recent months. However, the pace of expansion expected this decade is tepid by historical standards and geo-economic fragmentation is creating divergences between regions. What and where will the main drivers of growth de...

China's growth engines seem to be slowing due to a range of factors, including an ageing population, a slowdown in productivity, and major challenges facing the private sector. Rather than seeking a quick boost, how can a focus on high-quality development strengthen its economic fundamentals, recharge growth and enable it to avoid the middle-income trap in the long term? This is the full audio fro...

The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). It is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries' efforts towards closing these gaps over time since its inception in 2006. This is th...

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for one-fifth of global carbon emissions and over half of the world's energy usage, is taking centre stage in the global race to net zero. Yet despite a raft of commitments and first steps, around 50% of companies are off track in achieving their targets. How can manufacturers leverage new innovations and technologies to successfully negotiate the green tra...

While various regulations are being put in place across the globe to address governance challenges, economic instability and conflict are exacerbating corruption. How can we unlock good governance to ensure sustainable transformation and economic growth in challenging times? This is the full audio from a session at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos on 18 January, 2024. Watch it he...

With the education industry at a pivotal point of transformation driven by AI and innovative teaching methodologies, new education hotspots are emerging to address the growing and diversified education needs of the global economy. How can governments and businesses future-proof their education systems and leverage AI and other technologies? This is the full audio from a session at the Special Meet...

Since 1990, global efforts have successfully halved child mortality. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, however, has been insufficient, with climate change and preventable diseases jeopardizing decades of advancement and millions of lives. How can we strengthen the global health architecture to eradicate disease and make essential health innovations accessible to all? This is the full...

Nuclear energy is part of the solution to meeting the growing demand for green power, with innovations from small modulator reactors to fusion providing opportunities beyond existing power plants. What is the enabling environment needed to support the commercial viability of new nuclear solutions? This is the full audio from a session at the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Ener...

AI-powered models, which are rapidly developing in capacity and scale, are expected to disrupt companies' operating and business models. What are the near-term use cases and long-term moonshot opportunities for AI to fundamentally reshape industrial ecosystems? This is the full audio from a session at the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh on 29 Ap...

While AI has the potential to augment the capabilities of workers by automating tasks, concerns persist regarding technological unemployment and the concentration of productivity gains. As AI develops further, what are the trade-offs leaders will need to manage? This is the full audio from a session at the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh on 28 A...

The recent sustained slowdown in growth has been compounded by a succession of crises and dislocations. What approaches are needed to reignite growth while shifting to a better balance between quantity and quality? Recorded 28 April, 2024 at the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh. Watch it here:  https://www.weforum.org/events/special-meeting-on-gl...

In a significant heightening of the battle for global pre-eminence in the semiconductor industry, export bans on certain types of advanced chips, including those used to develop AI, have come into effect. What impact will these restrictions have on both innovation and the competitive landscape in advanced chipmaking as the industry takes centre stage in power relations between the major global eco...

AI and immersive technologies will fundamentally change how humanity interacts with society, government and even the environment. How can we meet the challenge presented by the complex risks we face while building trust in our technological future? This is the full audio from a session at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2024 on January 17, 2024. Speakers: Mustafa Suleyman, Chief Executiv...

Our soils withdraw 70% of freshwater and grow 95% of the food we eat. They are a critical lever to transform how we produce food and tackle the trilemma of food access and affordability, nutrition and health as well as nature and climate. From capital stacks for watersheds linked to farming corridors to skills and capabilities in protecting and restoring soil health, how can breakthrough finance,...

Antimicrobial resistance is the third leading cause of death globally. While the global economy loses $36.9 billion a year as a result of super bugs, how can global economic policies continue to embed and accelerate action on urgent health security issues? This is the full audio from a session at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2024 Watch the session here: https://www.weforum.org/events/...

By 2050, estimates indicate that the global economy will have doubled in size and will be serving a population of over 10 billion people. In this context, improving energy efficiency is critical to delivering an affordable, secure and climate-aligned future. What can companies and governments do to enable economic growth with less energy? This is the full audio from a session at the World Economic...

The development of generative AI has catapulted AI technology to one of the fastest and most impactful innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. From creation to production and distribution, some predict its effect on global value chains is analogous to the steam engines of the Industrial Revolution. With added qualities of speed, and accessibility, what is the implication for industry worl...