Riyadh Set to Host World Economic Forum Special Meeting
RIYADH — Geopolitical upheavals and complex economic challenges have thrown the world into chaos, prompting the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development to gather 1,000 global leaders from 92 countries on April 28-29. The aim is to foster global dialogue and devise actionable, collaborative, and sustainable solutions to common global challenges.
Over 220 public figures from more than 60 countries will participate in the Special Meeting under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Building on the success of last year’s Growth Summit in Switzerland, this meeting will advocate for forward-thinking approaches to interconnected crises while acknowledging short-term trade-offs.
The meeting will address the widening North-South gap on issues like emerging economic policies, the energy transition, and geopolitical shocks.
“With geopolitical tensions and socio-economic disparities deepening divides globally, international collaboration and purposeful dialogue has never been more urgent,” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum.
“The Special Meeting 2024 provides an opportunity for leaders from across sectors and geographies to turn ideas into action and unlock scalable solutions to the many interconnected challenges we face.”
“At this global inflection point, revitalizing international collaboration has never been more important. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the World Economic Forum has chosen an established and dynamic global platform for thought leadership, solutions, and action, as the host of a critical meeting – at such a critical moment,” said Faisal F. Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia.
“To this end, Saudi Arabia is mobilizing its full diplomatic might to lay out a mutually beneficial path to prosperity for the intertwined destinies of the global community.
“We are working to ensure that progress for one part of the world does not come at the expense of another. And we are committed to meeting this moment with a determination to co-author a shared future that is secure, stable, and sustainable.”
The meeting will focus on three thematic pillars to address global challenges comprehensively.
The first pillar will create a compact for inclusive growth, examining how recent trends in innovation and economic policy, combined with underinvestment in human development, may worsen global inequality and impede poverty reduction efforts.
The second pillar aims to spur action on energy for development, seeking solutions to scale up clean energy while ensuring equitable growth and energy access, particularly in developing economies.
The third pillar is dedicated to revitalizing global collaboration to foster dialogue supporting international collaboration, amplifying humanitarian efforts, and containing the ripple effects of instability.
Top political leaders attending include Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait; Mostafa Kamal Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt; Mohammed Shyaa Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq; Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, among others.
Leaders from international organizations like Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, will also participate.
The Global Risks Report 2024 highlighted pressing issues like economic downturn, lack of economic opportunity, extreme weather, and conflicts as immediate concerns, with climate, technology, migration, and societal polarization risks looming over the next decade.
Dialogue between business, government, and civil society from various regions and timeframes will be essential to address these challenges.
With leaders from government, the private sector, and international organizations co-chairing the event, over half of participants hail from the Global South and emerging economies, showcasing a diverse representation.
The meeting will be livestreamed for public access, covering topics like A New Vision for Global Development, Realizing an Equitable Energy Transition, and What Kind of Growth We Need.
Advancements in key areas like the Future of Growth Initiative and innovative climate solutions will be showcased, along with discussions on education, AI, cybersecurity, and geopolitical dependencies.
The meeting will also address the ongoing conflict in the region and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, demonstrating a commitment to tackling pressing global issues. — SG
