The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 presents findings from a global survey of over 900 leaders and experts. It identifies and ranks risks across economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal and technological categories. The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of these risks, particularly regarding state-based armed conflict, societal fragmentation, and technological risks. It highlights emerging pollutants and ethical concerns related to biotech alongside challenges posed by super-ageing societies. Furthermore, the report analyses multilateralism's weakening and escalating geoeconomic confrontation. Finally, it proposes actionable strategies for risk reduction, including fostering multilateralism and promoting global norms.
While the full report is worth reading by itself, we layout below several strategies to strengthen global resilience as laid out in the report.
Supporting multilateral institutions This involves reinforcing existing institutions, such as the UN Security Council, by encouraging public, private, and civil society stakeholders across all countries to work together. Continuous dialogue is needed to reform such institutions, despite the challenges. While not very popular these days, it is important for the long term stability of the global order.
Expanding the role of regional organizations Regional bodies can play a greater role in managing tensions.
Diversifying supply chains Organizations should invest in geopolitical risk foresight and management, using scenario planning to prepare for various outcomes and considering the reputational risks of partnerships related to conflict.
Fostering multilateralism to address geoeconomic confrontation. Prioritizing efforts could include updating and expanding the WTO's mandate. Rising powers can propose multilateral alternatives, acting as a bridge between West and East.
Developing strategic relationships through regional or bilateral ties that offer complementarity in terms of sectoral strengths and natural resource endowments. Trade agreements should be consistent with WTO requirements.
Strengthening domestic economic resilience by focusing on policies that bolster the domestic economy, such as financial sector development and investment in education, health, and infrastructure. Self-sufficiency in key strategic sectors like energy, agriculture, and defense is also crucial.
Boosting funding for digital literacy through public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the risks associated with digital spaces, and provide tools to protect themselves and boost trust in platforms.
Improving accountability and transparency frameworks such as establishing supervisory boards and AI councils, as well as human oversight processes.
Improving monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems to identify and understand emerging risks of pollutants and track progress over time.
Strengthening regulatory frameworks to mitigate the health and ecosystem impacts of pollutants.
Building a global set of norms through intergovernmental agreements to keep biotech risks under control. A global ethical oversight body should be established.
Campaign to improve pre-retirement health choices to give the elderly the opportunity to contribute productively to the economy.
Proactively build social cohesion across generations by engaging in more cross-generational social activities.
These actions can help to reduce the impact of state-based armed conflict, geoeconomic confrontation, technology risks and polarization, pollution, biotech risks and super-ageing in societies. Again - a very interesting read.