Economy – The World Economic Forum and the 'polycrisis' that saturates its agenda

First modification: 01/13/2024 – 05:37

Turning the page, but still with the consequences of the geopolitical fractures of 2023, the Davos Forum set itself the purpose of maintaining hope in the midst of the crisis that continues to increase and, this version, aims to “rebuild trust” and thus was enshrined in its motto this year.

Climate change, the use of artificial intelligence, and power shifts have all contributed to a negative global outlook toward the future. In 2023, polarization posed a significant challenge to world leaders and tensions in different regions resulted in conflicts on a scale not seen in decades.

In Davos, although diplomats from the world's main countries will have to reach key solutions to chart a more stable future, the truth is that according to a survey carried out by the same World Economic Forum (WEF), 54% of participants foresee global catastrophes in the next two years with an even darker outlook for the next decade.

And the event agenda includes a long list to discuss: the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the weak global economy, disinformation due to the advance of artificial intelligence and interruptions in global trade due to the tension in the Red Sea, just to mention the most important ones.

Confidence in peace and security has eroded since 2016 and cooperation has “plummeted” since 2020Forum president Borge Brende said at a briefing this week.

“In Davos, we will make sure we bring together the right people to see how we can put an end to this very challenging world, look for opportunities to cooperate,” Brende said.

Global risks of the next 10 years

With this panorama and trying to estimate other possible scourges, the WEF highlighted four structural axes to define global risks within 10 years: the firstclimate change that in the medium and long term threatens major extreme weather events and that, in turn, will push the most vulnerable populations to mass migration or worsening poverty levels.

Secondly, the so-called “demographic bifurcation” was established as the phenomenon that addresses social polarization and the consequences that this may cause in global development.

The third of the axes warns about the possible threat that technological acceleration may bring with it and the changes it poses to a world increasingly interconnected and globalized.

At this point, artificial intelligence particularly stands out, which with leaps and bounds seems to go faster than it can be controlled and poses risks for the increase in misinformation and lack of verification in cyberspace.

The fourth and last of the risks of the next decade focuses on geostrategic changes, something that involves the evolution of geopolitical power in countries like the United States and its role in the main conflicts and tensions in the world.

A luxurious event with the main world personalities

The ostentatious meeting in one of the countries with the highest cost of living in the world has been criticized on several occasions for being the place where high-profile figures talk about big ideas, but make little progress in finding solutions to the problems. challenges.

This is not to mention how every year millionaire executives arrive at the event on private planes that release large tons of emissions into the environment.

This year's meeting is expected to be attended by the likes of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron. , the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, or the newcomer to the Presidency of Argentina, Javier Milei.

Other important figures, such as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, will come to the table to discuss ideas and plans that will govern the global agenda in public sessions close to the main agenda of the Forum.

With AP