Davos 2025: more about the risks of war, less about economic challenges
20 January 2025 10:56
The World Economic Forum begins today in Davos. Every year, before the forum, its organizers prepare a global report and ask experts from business, politics and science about the biggest risks to the world. It is this report that sets the tone for the Davos Economic Forum, but this year economic issues are almost fading into the background, as the experts surveyed see armed conflict as the greatest risk. This was reported by Der Spiegel, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs.
This year’s Global Risk Report reveals a disappointing result: the focus of the expert community is not on economic risks such as economic downturn, but primarily on interstate conflicts. The report’s authors expect the global landscape to become increasingly fractured, with escalating geopolitical, environmental, social, and technological challenges threatening stability and progress.
Experts whose opinions were sought by the forum organizers believe that armed conflict at the interstate level is the greatest global risk for 2025. Almost a quarter – 23 percent – of respondents rated it as the greatest concern. Extreme weather events came in second place, with 14 percent saying so. The survey participants also fear geo-economic confrontations – 8 percent. This could include trade wars, which are seen as increasingly likely following tariff threats from new US President Donald Trump.
The most frequently cited risks also include disinformation that could influence elections or conflicts, as well as exacerbate social divisions. However, only five percent of respondents see an economic downturn as the biggest risk.
However, the view of the next ten years, as emphasized by Der Spiegel, looks different. The focus here is on environmental risks. These include extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, or a shortage of natural resources. Almost two-thirds of participants expect “turbulent” or “tumultuous” times by 2035.
According to the organizers of the World Economic Forum, about 900 global risk experts, policy makers and industry leaders were interviewed for the Global Risk Report from September to October.
According to Mirek Dushek, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, “rising geopolitical tensions, declining global trust and the climate crisis are putting more stress on the global system than ever before.”
According to him, decision makers are faced with a choice: “promote cooperation and resilience or fight against growing instability” and this is in line with this year’s forum motto, which promotes “cooperation in the age of reason.”
What else is known about this year’s forum in Davos
The World Economic Forum will be held on January 20-24 in Davos in the Swiss Alps. In total, nearly 3,000 guests are expected, including numerous heads of state and government. U.S. President Donald Trump will join the forum online on January 23. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to deliver a special speech in Davos and answer questions. As Reuters reported, this was announced at a press conference by Borge Brende, President and CEO of the forum.
According to him, a total of 60 heads of state and government and other world leaders are expected to attend the meeting, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
For the seventh time, Ukraine House will open its doors in Davos, which will be located near the main location and will be open from January 20 to 23. Every year, about 60-70 such pavilions are set up by different countries and well-known international companies such as Meta or Google. By the way, last year the Ukrainian pavilion was named the best according to Politico.
This year, the Ukrainian breakfast with a discussion is traditionally scheduled, with Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, and Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, among the participants.
In addition to the traditional Ukrainian Breakfast in Davos, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation will present the project “Your Country First – Win with Us”. As explained by the Foundation, according to the project concept, “your country first” is only valid as a priority for each country, but “for the future of your country, you must win with us – with Ukrainians.” The project is organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and the PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine.
