Discover the themes driving the discussions

The programme will be structured around five key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress. In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience, and innovation will serve as cross- cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.

How can we cooperate in a more contested world?

How can we cooperate in a more contested world?

45 Sessions

Intensifying competition among major powers is reshaping global influence and regional stability, while societies are increasingly polarized in many countries. This new era is defined by contested norms, shifting alliances, and the erosion of trust. As volatility and compounding risks intensify, organizations of all types must now continuously adapt to a highly complex set of dynamics. Geoeconomics is increasingly at the heart of corporate decision-making, as companies look to develop greater geopolitical intelligence to address this highly fluid environment where long-held assumptions about security, sovereignty and impact are being challenged in real time.

How can we unlock new sources of growth?

How can we unlock new sources of growth?

43 Sessions

Caught amid heightened trade tensions and policy uncertainty, global growth is projected at just 3.1% for 2026 reflecting an unpredictable operating environment. Trade, a traditional engine of growth, is now expected to expand by just 0.9% in 2025 as existing rules are challenged while new ones are yet to emerge. As headline inflation is gradually reined in, core inflation remains elevated while debt-to-GDP has climbed to a record high of 95%. This all comes at a time of limited fiscal and monetary space for policymakers. The outlook will increasingly depend on the ability of economies to not only confront near-term shocks but also harness innovation to boost long-term productivity. Moreover, economic policy should remain attuned to the workforce and the public at large, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach and reward more people.

How can we better invest in people?

How can we better invest in people?

41 Sessions

Investing in reskilling and upskilling will be crucial to achieving a resilient workforce in this economic landscape given that 22% of today’s jobs worldwide will change in just the next five years driven particularly by AI. In emerging economies, job creation will need to accelerate to absorb the labour surplus of nearly 800 million young people due to become working age over the next decade. The need for cross-dimensional resilience is also reflected in human health, with 4.5 billion people currently lacking access to essential healthcare services and the sector facing an estimated $10.5 billion per year funding gap, underscoring the need to invest in health outcomes.

How can we deploy innovation at scale and responsibly?

How can we deploy innovation at scale and responsibly?

40 Sessions

AI is reshaping how industries operate, compete and create value, and is projected to add over $15 trillion to global GDP by 2030. Nearly 90% of businesses across all sectors expect AI and other technologies to transform their businesses in the short-term, including through productivity gains. Realizing this potential will require not only responsible deployment and governance but also sustained investment in frontier technologies ranging from biotechnology and quantum to space and semiconductors and sensors. Meanwhile, the need to deliver on the energy transition is greater than ever, and the challenge is no longer ambition but execution. Scaling new technologies, upgrading grids, and improving access to innovation, especially in emerging markets, are central to achieving the breakthroughs needed to deliver on the energy needs of tomorrow.

How can we sustain prosperity within planetary boundaries?

How can we sustain prosperity within planetary boundaries?

21 Sessions

About us

  • Who we are
  • Our strategy
  • How we work
  • Our leadership and governance
  • Our Impact

More from the Forum

  • Centres
  • Meetings
  • Stakeholders
  • Forum stories
  • Press releases
  • Picture gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Engage with us

  • Sign in
  • Partner with us
  • Become a member
  • Sign up for our press releases
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Contact us

Quick links

  • Sustainability at the Forum
  • Careers

© 2026 World Economic Forum