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Philanthropies Can Partner with Business to Close Climate Financing Gaps

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Philanthropies Can Partner with Business to Close Climate Financing Gaps - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, December 14, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Climate finance was central to discussions at COP28 in Dubai and funding to reach net-zero and restore biodiversity is still falling short. New research highlights priorities for action and shows how partnerships between organizations from the philanthropy, private and public sectors can create a positive domino effect, cut emissions at speed and allow for a just transition.

Case studies of the report, developed in collaboration with McKinsey, include the global coalition Mangrove Breakthrough – securing the protection of 15 million hectares of mangroves worldwide – as well as the reshaping of land degradation in Latin America through Initiative 20×20 and the Breathe London project on enhancing air quality. Other proven partnerships include, the Energy Transition Accelerator in developing countries.

“For partnerships to work effectively, various stakeholders should be willing to come together to bring collective as well as individual expertise and resources to find solutions,” said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Without working with other partners to find the right intervention points, it is difficult for a single institution to deploy their funds.”

The transition to a net-zero economy presents a critical and necessary shift but is unavoidably costly. The financial gap lies in the extensive overhaul required in industries to adopt cleaner technologies and sustainable practices. The initial investments demand substantial funding, often beyond the capacity of many individual businesses or governments. Bridging this divide necessitates collaborative efforts and innovative financing models to mitigate risks and incentivize investments.

Joining private and public actors with philanthropic efforts offers a strategic approach to unlocking the transition to net-zero and restore nature. Philanthropy, with its nimble and risk-tolerant characteristics, plays a pivotal role in providing early-stage funding, catalysing wider investments while securing the most equitable outcomes.

The philanthropic-public-private partnership model uses the collective power of its members to bridge critical financing and knowledge gaps and generates capital structures that expedite a faster transition to sustainability. Examples of its use are already prominent. Over the past 20 years, more than 50 climate and nature-focused philanthropic-public-private partnerships have surfaced, indicating initial strides in addressing climate-financing hurdles.

Philanthropic-public-private partnership successes

With more than 40 partners, the Mangrove Breakthrough coalition is mobilizing $50 million-$100 million over the next 10 years to protect and restore mangroves worldwide. The decade-old Power Africa partnership – bringing together political leaders, private companies and financial institutions – has increased energy access to 37.5 million people across sub-Saharan Africa while closing on 14,000 megawatts of clean energy projects.

Some $2.5 billion in private capital has been pledged to support government initiatives through Initiative 20×20. Gathering 150 partners to reshape land degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the collaboration is propelling restoration efforts throughout the area, safeguarding and reviving over 50 million hectares.

Billions of dollars are being channelled through the multi stakeholder initiative, Energy Transition Accelerator, that fast-tracks the shift to renewable energy sources in developing countries. The partnership assists nations in their energy transition strategies through a voluntary carbon market framework, while at the same time expanding energy access for people in poverty.

Philanthropic public-private collaborations are not bound solely to emerging economies. Breathe London is a collaborative initiative by the Clean Air Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Clarity, the Mayor of London and local communities focusing on enhancing air quality. The initiative’s success has led to Breathe Cities, raising air-quality standards in cities around the world.

Bridging philanthropic, public and private efforts has proven powerful potential. Despite successes, new partnerships are often challenged when seeking to assemble and steer stakeholders, costing them significant time and resources. For an effective collaboration, philanthropic-public-private partnerships must be brought together under the right conditions with aligned objectives, a long-term perspective and a robust operational core.

The report’s Analytical framework guides partnerships based on their materiality, suitability and feasibility, having identified 31 intervention areas where joint action is set to accelerate high, scalable and immediate impact globally addressing 30% of emissions.

“Our research aims to support the creation, sustenance and scaling of these partnerships by exploring where to focus their efforts and how to ensure their success,” said Daniel Pacthod, Global Co-leader, McKinsey Sustainability. “We hope it gives them the confidence to partner with others for outsized impact and, crucially, save time in forming partnerships, as it’s time that we can scarcely afford to lose.”

New muscle for capacity-building

Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) – a World Economic Forum initiative – identifies, convenes and amplifies new and existing public, private and philanthropic partnerships for climate and nature. Backed by 75+ partners of the world’s most important philanthropic partners, representing $12 billion/year of philanthropic capital, GAEA, operating in five climate crisis arrears (energy systems, nature, food systems, industry decarbonization, climate and health), is designed to streamline the process of forming partnerships, ultimately saving time and assets that are crucial in the global race against climate change.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

First Movers Coalition to Create up to $20 Billion Value Chain for Sustainable Farming

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First Movers Coalition to Create up to $20 Billion Value Chain for Sustainable Farming - TRAVELINDEX.comDubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum, with support from the Government of the United Arab Emirates, along with more than 20 corporate and research partners in the food sector, launched today the First Movers Coalition for Food. The initiative uses the combined procurement power for sustainably produced farming products to speed up the adoption of sustainable farming, innovations and transitional funding.

Food systems account for more than 30% of global emissions and are critical in achieving the Paris Agreement and limiting global warming to below 1.5C. Aggregating demand for sustainably produced and low-emission agricultural commodities, therefore, can accelerate the transition to net-zero, nature-positive transitions in food systems.

“Through the First Movers Coalition for Food, leading global companies will send demand signals to catalyse the acceleration and adoption of environmentally friendly farming methods and green innovations. This collective public-private partnership will help de-risk upfront investments into more sustainable food production systems,” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum.

The First Movers Coalition for Food comprises corporate champions from multinational and regional companies with significant purchasing power, value chain partners, farmer organizations and research partners alongside governments to improve existing food systems.

The new initiative aims to accelerate sustainable farming and production methods and technologies by leveraging collective demand for low-carbon agricultural commodities. It will do so through the power of aggregated demand, aiming for a combined procurement value for low-carbon commodities of $10-$20 billion from coalition members. Corporate partners currently participating in the coalition account for a combined revenue of $2.1 trillion, with operations globally.

Founding members of the First Mover Coalition for Food are leading companies that recognize the need for more sustainable practices and innovation in food production systems. Starting mid-December 2023, the World Economic Forum and participating companies and governments will work jointly to identify the demand commitments and pathways to support and mobilize the ecosystem to enable such transformation. The coalition is expected to publish its initial results of the collaborative work in the summer of 2024.

“The way we produce and eat food causes 30% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, uses over 70% of the world’s freshwater, and is responsible for 80% of deforestation and habitat loss in tropical areas,” said Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates. “If we don’t quickly find new, sustainable ways to produce and consume food, these problems will worsen in only a couple of decades. Showing clear demand for improvements in sustainable agriculture production methods is crucial for reaching our global climate goals, and we need to act now.”

Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive of Majid Al Futtaim, added: “We recognize how our role in reducing emissions across our value chains has an impact on the long-term sustainable health of people and the planet. As an increasing number of customers make the everyday choice to shop sustainably, we as a retailer have the responsibility to deliver more responsibly sourced and produced products. By joining the First Movers Coalition for Food initiative, we aim to amplify the demand for low-emission products and partner with those promoting nature-positive practices, fostering resilient agricultural systems with improved biodiversity and reduced water usage.”

Manny Maceda, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Bain & Company said the coalition will transform how companies procure agricultural commodities, enabling a shift toward eco-friendly production. “This will decrease the risks associated with required investments in low-emissions agri-food production, make it easier to expand to net-zero and nature-positive technologies, and help farmers adopt greener practices such as regenerative agriculture.”

About the First Movers Coalition
The First Movers Coalition for Food builds on the success of the First Movers Coalition for Industry, launched at COP26 in Glasgow by US President Joe Biden and the World Economic Forum in 2021.

The First Movers Coalition for Industry aggregates purchasing demand to create early markets for innovative clean technologies across eight hard-to-abate industry sectors: aviation, shipping, trucking, steel, aluminium, concrete and cement, and chemicals.

To date, the coalition has garnered the support of more than 13 government partners and 90 companies with purchasing commitments of more than $15 billion. This is the most significant demand signal for clean technologies for industrial sectors that the world has ever seen.

First Movers Coalition for Food members
Initial partners working jointly on shaping and accelerating significant demand signals and green procurement commitments include Bayer AG, Cargill, Danone, Louis Dreyfus Company, Majid Al Futtaim Holding Llc, Nestlé, NR Instant Produce PCL, Olam Agri, PepsiCo Inc., Sekem Group, UPL Ltd, Tyson Foods Inc., JBS S.A., and Yara International ASA. More companies will be announced in the coming months. Expert organizations supporting the process include Bain & Company, Ginko Bioworks, Grow Asia, IDH, Indigo Ag, International Rice Research Institute, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Tropical Forest Alliance, and University of Tokyo. The initiative is endorsed by the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Global Leaders Advance Responsible AI Development at Governance Summit

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Global Leaders Advance Responsible AI Development at Governance Summit - TOP25RESTAURANTS The World's First AI-Powered Restaurant GuideSan Francisco, California, United States, November 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Summit brought together more than 200 influential leaders from the Forum’s AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) and the broader artificial intelligence community to exchange insights and collaborate on the establishment of action plans to promote the responsible development and deployment of generative AI on a global scale.

– More than 200 leaders came together at the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Summit to promote the responsible development and deployment of generative artificial intelligence.
– Participants called for the establishment of a robust international AI governance framework.
– Topics of discussion included the importance of closing the digital divide and trade-offs in open-source technology.

The event marked a crucial milestone in the ongoing journey of responsible AI development, following the inaugural Responsible AI Leadership conference held in April 2023. The proceedings of that conference led to the publication of the Presidio Recommendations on Responsible Generative AI and the establishment of the AI Governance Alliance, laying the foundation for continued progress in the AI space.

Participants from government, business, academia and civil society emphasized the immense opportunities of integrating AI across diverse sectors, including applications in agriculture and healthcare. They also underscored the pressing need for responsible development and deployment in line with global ethical standards to mitigate potential risks including safety. Key topics of discussion included adaptive and interoperable regulatory frameworks and harmonized standards.

“As we drive innovation in the realm of generative AI, it is important to concurrently navigate existing and novel risks while unlocking unprecedented transformational opportunities, ensuring that progress is responsibly managed for the benefit of global society,” said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum.

Crucially, the conversations extended beyond technologically advanced nations. Participants actively explored strategies to ensure that the benefits of AI development are inclusive, reaching not only developed nations but also those developing countries and regions currently lacking the capacity for independent AI model implementation and training. To bridge the digital divide, they called for increased access to critical infrastructure such as data, cloud and computing, along with necessary foundations for better training and education.

Key takeaways from the meeting include:

– Recognizing open source and innovation debate centres to address heightened scrutiny of foundation model releases, involving concerns about risks, transparency and governance, and requiring clear definitions and thoughtful consideration of benefits and downsides for frontier model safety and innovation.
– Promoting global access to vital digital and AI resources, which requires strong public-private collaboration.
– Acknowledging the importance of data, cloud services, computational power and training infrastructure as crucial to bridging the digital divide.
– Advancing global AI governance, which involves developing adaptive regulations, harmonizing standards and fostering ongoing discussions for effective international mechanisms.

About the AI Governance Alliance
The AI Governance Alliance is a World Economic Forum initiative focused on responsible generative artificial intelligence (AI). It brings together influential regional voices and global stakeholders to harness the benefits of generative AI systems and technologies while ensuring equitable and sustainable global impacts.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Cut Global Emissions 7% Annually to 2030 to Maintain Paris-Agreed Global Warming Limit

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Cut Global Emissions 7% Annually to 2030 to Maintain Paris-Agreed Global Warming Limit - TRAVELINDEX - SUSTAINABLEFIRST.comGeneva, Switzerland, November 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In the lead-up to the UN’s COP28 climate conference, the world’s largest CEO-led community committed to accelerating the net-zero transition today calls on businesses and governments to further slash global carbon emissions to meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals.

According to a report by the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), emissions must be cut back by 7% each year from now until 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as agreed in Paris in 2015.

“The urgency and scale of the climate crisis demand immediate and coordinated action at a global level,” said Pim Valdre, Head of Climate Ambition Initiatives at the World Economic Forum. “The cost of inaction is simply too high, and our shared responsibility is to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

The report, The State of Climate Action, says that “dramatic action” is needed to close the gap. This includes shorter-term net-zero national and corporate commitments, faster deployment and funding of green technologies, and stronger global collaboration to ensure a just transition. The report follows an open letter from more than 100 CEOs and senior executives from the Alliance to world leaders ahead of COP28 urging for a phase-out of fossil fuels and a massive scale-up of renewable energy and carbon removal.

“The findings in this report are a wake-up call to the world, reaffirming that the status quo is no longer an option,” said Rich Lesser, Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group and Chief Advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. “Governments, companies and other stakeholders must act in lock step to meet our ambitious climate goals. It is our collective responsibility to build a more resilient and greener future for generations to come, and we are unwavering in our mission to make that a reality.”

The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, facilitated by the World Economic Forum, consists of more than 120 top companies from diverse industry sectors and regions, representing more than $4 trillion in total revenues and 12 million employees.

Tackling insufficient national and corporate commitments

According to the report, as of mid-2023, the share of global emissions covered by national net-zero targets exceeded 80% – up from virtually zero only a few years ago. However, only a third of global emissions are covered by net-zero targets for 2050, the estimated timeframe required to maintain a 1.5°C limit, with most national net-zero targets set for longer timelines. The shorter-term gap is even more significant, with only 20% of emissions also covered by Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned to a 1.5°C ceiling.

Stronger commitments and actions are most critically needed from the 10 largest national emitters, which account for half of the gap.

On the corporate side, progress in recent years has been substantial. The total number of companies with commitments to 1.5°C science-based targets has increased more than six-fold between the end of 2020 and August 2023. However, fewer than 20% of the world’s 1,000 largest companies have set this type of target, and almost 40% have no net-zero commitment at all.

Addressing the technology and funding gap

Most green technologies required to achieve net zero exist already, but those that are or soon will be cost competitive would only cover around 55% of global emissions. Others, including “deep decarbonization” technologies – such as hydrogen, carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS), and direct air capture – are still in early stages of development and scaling too slowly. To catch up, innovation and industrial scaling need to accelerate at nearly unprecedented levels.

Among key root causes, an over $2 trillion gap in yearly climate funding remained in 2022, with critical gaps in early technologies and infrastructure: bioenergy, hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, CCUS and battery storage collectively received only around 2% of 2022 global mitigation funds. The gap is also twice as large in lower-income countries as in higher-income ones, with the former subject to lower capital availability and higher perceived risks.

Major course corrections needed

Several near-term priorities are put forward in the report to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach. These actions include the need to:

– Unlock bolder, more rapid national commitments and actions
– Deploy carbon pricing and border taxes, and support actions in nature, agriculture and food
– Remove obstacles to the transition, such as permitting times, supply chain risks and skill gaps
– Shift corporate focus to bolder targets and transparency for themselves and their supply chains
– Strengthen incentives to massively scale up high-impact technologies and necessary infrastructure
– Raise climate financing for the Global South, conditional on ambitious mitigation action

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Global Experts Call for Interdisciplinary Approaches to Improve Decision-Making

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Global Experts Call for Interdisciplinary Approaches to Improve Decision-Making - TRAVELINDEX - WORLD ECONOMIC FORUMDubai, United Arab Emirates, October 19, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In a world marked by division, bringing people together from different disciplines, sectors and geographies to consider new and different views and find pathways for agreement has never been more essential. More than 450 participants from over 80 countries gathered on 16-18 October in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils to exchange insights and advance solutions to interconnected challenges facing the world.

– A diverse network of more than 450 global experts at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2023 highlighted the value of interdisciplinary and multistakeholder solutions to economic, technological, societal and environmental challenges in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
– The cross-cutting programme in Dubai addressed harnessing artificial intelligence, accelerating the green transition, reviving productivity, addressing antimicrobial resistance and stabilizing trade.
– 30 councils developed proposals for collaboration that can create transformative change in the next three years in each of their topic areas.

From debating models of economic growth to examining the increasing effects of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) to outlining sustainable approaches to climate action and nature protection, the experts from business, government, academia and civil society aligned on shared risks, highlighted new opportunities and committed to continuing constructive, inclusive dialogue and designing proposals for collaboration.

“Future building is fueled by the innate human ability to relentlessly pursue curiosity,” said Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs, adding that the meeting was important to answer new questions in areas such as digital transformation, geopolitical and climate changes, economic and social transformations, space, and advanced science and technology.

Many experts also called for having more “difficult conversations” about how to tackle challenging trade-offs, such as between decarbonization and sustainable development, increased productivity and job disruption, and competition and collaboration.

For businesses, what may seem like short-term risks could instead be long-term opportunities, explained Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding. “Investment in sustainability is not a trade-off for business, but is actually a trade-on,” he said. “It’s about having a green mindset and shifting your perspective.”

“The ideas, insights and approaches to problem-solving discussed in the councils and cross-cutting sessions are key to creating and advancing the public-private collaboration that is necessary to address the deeply interconnected issues of today,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Testing ideas, challenging each other and fostering collective creativity as we did here will lay the foundations for new innovations and multistakeholder partnerships to meet the demands of the future.”

With recent geopolitical shocks, economic uncertainty, technological and societal shifts, and increased fragmentation, we have arguably entered “a new era,” said Mirek Dušek, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “In this context, being able to simply come together from around the world, from all walks of life, to jointly grapple with dilemmas regarding our collective future could not be more important,” he said.

The 30 Global Future Councils developed proposals that can create transformative change on specific issue areas within the next three years. These ideas will be embedded into the work of one of the Forum’s 10 Centres’ multiyear agendas, as well as published in an insight report as input ahead of the Forum’s Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, in January.

On building trust for global collaboration

Participants emphasized pathways for trust-building and collaboration in areas including advancing technology, trade and investing, and antimicrobial resistance.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Office of the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, spoke on the need to come together to govern AI. “Our view in the UAE is if you’re proactive you tend to be more light-touched than heavy-handed. If you work with the private sector, you ensure that innovation does not get hindered. My rallying cry, everyone, is we need to start. We’re already extremely late.”

“The impact of AI is astronomical, and we haven’t even scratched the surface,” said Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Future Foundation. “You need to make sure you create a safe environment, be more inclusive and have the right conversations.”

To support business leaders, the Forum published a white paper on harnessing the AI revolution in industrial operations. Participants also highlighted the potential of technological developments to transform global trade, from increasing traceability and transparency to improving forecasting and inventory control, but they also emphasized the importance of protecting trade relations when geopolitical tensions rise.

“Geopolitics are so intertwined with trade policy that it’s not economic rationale driving decisions,” said Mona Haddad, Global Director, Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, The World Bank. “There is vulnerability to be dependent on a few key countries. Let us carve out sensitive issues and safeguard most of the multilateral trade regime.”

Sally Davies, Master, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, called for urgent global collaboration to address anti-microbial resistance and the spread of “super bugs,” which are among the leading causes of death around the world. It is not only a matter of human health, she stressed, but also has related repercussions for food, environmental and economic security.

Global Future Councils are advancing insights and solutions in this area by:

– Exploring the effects of deglobalization on firms, economies, innovation and societies
– Establishing guiding principles for technology policy
– Facilitating better data exchange within and across counties for cybersecurity
– Assessing the significance of metaverse technologies to industries and economies

On innovation for inclusive growth

Councils and cross-cutting sessions explored what economic growth means in the current context, proposed the kind of growth we should be striving for, and shared ideas on how to create inclusive, sustainable economies.

“We still need growth, but it’s the quality of growth that matters,” said Kumi Kitamori Deputy Director, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “It needs to be green, and it needs to be inclusive.”

Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance, London Business School, argued for defining growth not just in physical capital (measured GDP), but also in human capital (education and skills), natural capital (climate and nature), and financial capital (access and assets).

As global shocks and advancing technology create new opportunities and risks, many participants made the case for investing in education and skills to prepare people for future of work.

“The skills gap is huge,” said Eric Parrado, Chief Economist and General Manager, Research Department, The Inter-American Development Bank. “We have to change how we teach kids, we have to change education, and we have to do training for our workers.”

Masood Ahmed, President, Centre for Global Development, also pointed out the need for focusing on development pathways for emerging and low-income countries to raise living standards. “Today, you see income growth stalling in many countries, the gap between the rich and the poor countries, which was narrowing is now stagnant or widening in some cases, and the combination of global challenges, and the geopolitics that have now made it harder to cooperate to deal with global challenges, poses a big threat to the development progress we’ve seen,” he said.

Global Future Councils are advancing insights and solutions in this area by:

– Defining key concepts including equitable transition and responsible investing
– Investigating potential future shocks and their impact on supply chains
– Creating fresh proposals for policy-makers to support efforts to drive good job creation
– Exploring investments, incentives and partnerships to advance social mobility and close gender gaps

On collective action for climate and nature

Councils also explored topics related to addressing the climate and nature crisis, including clean air, an equitable energy transition and urban mobility.

“We need to think radically differently” about how to urgently protect our planet while also helping the world’s most vulnerable, said Sandor Mulsow, Tenure Professor, Austral University of Chile.

A new report highlights the urgency of the climate crisis facing the Middle East and North African region and provided a blueprint for decarbonization policies that would ensure greater economic diversification, new high-quality jobs and global leadership in sustainable technologies.

“Bold action is required, and it’s required now,” said Henadi Al Saleh, Chair of the Board of Directors, Agility. “From a business perspective, we do see navigating this green pathway beneficial, from revenue contribution, contributing to country targets and at the same time attracting investors.”

Melissa C. Lott, Director, Research and Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University, also mentioned the importance of advancing the energy transition while also addressing sustainable development gaps.

“How do we think about creating a future and having a transition pathway that doesn’t make those gaps wider?” she asked. “How do we think not just about minimizing risks to communities that have faced risks in the past and face risks moving forward but where are opportunities realized? How do we provide accessibility?”

Global Future Councils are advancing insights and solutions in this area by:

– Unlocking and de-risking key investments and action across climate and nature systems
– Creating methods for evaluating air quality performance and trends
– Surfacing practical solutions to accelerate the pace of the energy transition
– Building an evidence-based framework for creating sustainable food and water systems

About the Global Future Councils
The World Economic Forum’s network of Global Future Councils is a multistakeholder, interdisciplinary insights network designed to address critical global challenges through transformative ideas. It consists of 30 councils made up of experts across business, government, academia and civil society, from more than 80 countries, who are nominated for two-year terms.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

China Ratifies WTO Deal on Fisheries Subsidies

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China Ratifies WTO Deal on Fisheries Subsidies - TRAVELINDEXTianjin, People’s Republic of China, July 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / China, the world’s leading marine fishing producer, has formally accepted a historic trade agreement for ocean sustainability at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

– China affirmed its support for World Trade Organization agreement for ocean sustainability.
– Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the ratification from Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

It will help bring into force a global deal struck a year ago by the World Trade Organization’s 164 members to work towards eliminating billions of dollars in “harmful” subsidies that are emptying the oceans of fish. The agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas. The World Economic Forum, through the Friends of Ocean Action, has been a long-term supporter of the global agreement along with businesses, ocean experts and civil society organizations.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization, received the document from Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. With an estimated 564,000 ships, China in 2020 had the biggest fishing fleet in the world, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“As the world leader in marine fish catch, China’s support for the implementation of this agreement is critical to multilateral efforts to safeguard oceans, food security and livelihoods. By curbing harmful fishing subsidies worldwide, we can together forge a path towards a legacy of abundance and opportunity for generations to come,” said Okonjo-Iweala.

Under trade rules, two-thirds of the WTO’s 164 members must ratify the deal for it to take effect. China’s support now means that 36 countries, including all European Union members, have formally accepted it, and the aim is to have the remaining countries do the same before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February next year. Members have also committed to continuing negotiations to expand the scope to include subsidies that support excessive fishing.

“The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the second multilateral agreement reached by the WTO since its establishment in 1995, and the first WTO agreement aimed at achieving the goal of environmental sustainable development,” said Minister Wang. “It is a significant agreement to boost the confidence of all members in multilateralism. China has completed the approval procedure of the agreement and will work with all members to push the agreement to enter into force before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, China will participate in the second phase of negotiations in a positive and constructive manner and look forward to an early outcome of the negotiations.”

Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, said that China’s ratification of the agreement was an important indication of the strength of multistakeholder and multilateral cooperation.

“Global challenges like ocean sustainability need global solutions. The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies shows that governments can work in common purpose for the benefit of communities, economies and the world at large.”

The news follows the UN adoption of a world-first high seas treaty protecting marine biodiversity.

Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and co-chair of the Friends of Ocean Action, said that restoring the ocean’s health is a key part of combatting global warming.

“Restoring ocean health enables people everywhere to thrive and ensures we leave a liveable planet for generations to come. I sincerely hope China’s support for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies will now open the flood gates for other countries to deposit their instruments of national acceptance. Through this historic agreement, we have a real chance to make lasting, positive changes to protect the ocean and everyone who depends on it.”

About the Annual Meeting of the New Champions
The Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) takes place 27-29 June in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, under the theme “Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy.” The meeting will renew momentum for innovation and entrepreneurship to drive growth and a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient global economy.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Global Shocks Affect Energy Transition Progress, World Economic Forum

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Global Shocks Affect Energy Transition Progress, World Economic Forum - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, June 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After a decade of progress, the global energy transition has plateaued amid the global energy crisis and geopolitical volatilities, according to a new World Economic Forum report, Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023. The report suggests that while there has been broad progress on clean, sustainable energy, there are emerging challenges to the equity of the transition – just, affordable access to energy and sustained economic development – due to countries shifting their focus to energy security.

– Major emerging economies with high future energy demand including China, India, Brazil and Indonesia, have made significant improvements on the energy transition, according to the report, Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023
– As many countries shift their focus to energy security at the expense of equity, a much speedier and more inclusive transition is still required to deliver a sustainable, secure and equitable energy future
– Sweden tops the Energy Transition Index, followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland
– The U.S., Germany and the Republic of Korea are among the G20 countries that have made strong progress on the energy transition, despite the global energy crisis.

The 13th edition of the report, published in collaboration with Accenture, draws on insights from the Energy Transition Index (ETI). This year, the ETI used an updated framework reflecting emerging shifts in the global energy landscape to benchmark 120 countries in two areas: the performance of their energy systems in the dimensions of equity, energy security and environmental sustainability; and the readiness of the enabling environment for energy transition. This edition also evaluated countries’ “transition momentum” for the first time to highlight the urgency of consistent progress on timely and effective transition.

Enabled by increasing volumes of clean energy investments, improving regulatory frameworks, technological innovations and urgency to address the climate crisis, some long-term trends of global energy transition are positive. Over the past decade, 95% of countries have improved their total ETI score, with improvements more pronounced for countries that consume a large amount of energy, including China, India, Republic of Korea and Indonesia.

Broadly speaking, however, ETI scores have plateaued in the past three years. This speed of transition is not sufficient to meet the Paris Agreement targets in an inclusive and secure way. The geopolitical and macroeconomic volatilities that prompted the recent global energy crisis shifted countries’ focus to maintaining secure and stable energy supply at the expense of universal affordability and challenge progress observed in the past decade.

Indeed, ETI scores declined for approximately 50% of the countries in the past year, which disproportionately impacted vulnerable consumers, small businesses and developing economies. Moreover, the growth rate of energy access has slowed and, at the current pace, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access for all by 2030 will likely be missed.

“The recent turbulence in energy markets has exposed how interconnected energy prices are with macroeconomic and social stability. This can, and has, put developing countries at risk of losing their momentum gained before the energy crisis on access to affordable, sustainable energy,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of Energy, Materials and Infrastructure, World Economic Forum. “It further demonstrates the importance of balancing improvements in energy security, sustainability and equity – at the same time – to enable an effective energy transition.”

When it comes to progress on energy transition, the gap between advanced economies and emerging and developing countries in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa has gradually narrowed over the past decade. As advanced economies and large emerging economies such as China and India push the boundaries of energy transition, propelled by ambitious industrial policy packages, progress in clean electrification, technology-intensive solutions for the decarbonization of heavy industries and advanced nuclear, there is a risk of that gap widening again. Multilateral collaboration is more important than ever to ensure an equitable, inclusive energy transition across the world, in which emerging economies are active participants rather than late entrants.

“Over the past decade, significant strides have been made but not at the pace required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Stephanie Jamison, Senior Managing Director and Global Resources Industry Practice lead, Accenture. “The focus must shift to helping more populous, developing nations make faster progress, which, while committed to decarbonization, lack the financial and technological capability to fully develop their renewable energy resources. Through greater collaboration and support we can enable a more equitable and sustainable future.”

Muqsit Ashraf, Senior Managing Director and Global Strategy Lead, Accenture, added: “The window of opportunity for reaching net-zero targets is closing and countries must move urgently to cleaner energy systems. Leveraging technology – both physical and digital, including data and AI – will be essential. By pushing the boundaries of disruptive technologies, like generative AI, countries and companies can realize what was previously thought impossible and simultaneously bolster not just sustainability but also better enable energy security and affordability.”

Sweden (1), Denmark (2) and Norway (3) lead the ETI 2023 rankings and have been the top three countries each year for the past decade. Despite their diverse energy system structures, they share common attributes, such as high levels of political commitment and stable regulatory frameworks, investments in research and development, increased renewable energy deployment and carbon pricing schemes to incentivize investments in low-carbon solutions.

France (7) is the only G20 country in the top 10, followed closely by Germany (11), the US (12), and the UK (13). Strong performance by the world’s largest economies, supported by the rapid development of renewable energy infrastructure and rising levels of investments in clean energy, is a signal of progress on the energy transition. Exposure to gas price volatilities is a risk factor to the inclusiveness of the energy transition, as demonstrated by the recent energy crisis and its fiscal and monetary implications, especially for European countries.

Brazil (14) and China (17) are the major emerging economies to appear in the top 20. Due to abundant hydroelectricity capacity and leadership in biofuels, Brazil scored high on energy security and environmental sustainability, accounting for 7% of renewable energy production worldwide. China leads on renewable energy investments and capacity development, supported by mature domestic supply chains, and in the incubation of industries such as electric vehicles and energy storage.

The long-term goals of the energy transition require sustained momentum in the wake of the current near-term volatilities. India (67) and Singapore (70) are the only major economies showing true momentum by advancing sustainability, energy security and equity in a balanced way. For example, despite continued economic growth, India has successfully reduced the energy intensity of its economy and the carbon intensity of its energy mix, while achieving universal energy access and effectively managing affordability of electricity.

Looking at each facet of energy system performance, fuel-exporting nations – Oman (90), Canada (19), Saudi Arabia (57) and Qatar (59) – scored among the highest in equity and inclusiveness, providing affordable energy for households and industries and leveraging the energy sector to empower economic growth. Notably, the US, Sweden, and Israel (28) also score high on this dimension, largely due to cost-reflective energy prices and leadership on trade in low-carbon technology products.

Advanced economies – the US, Australia (24) and Estonia (10) – scored highest in energy security, measuring the resilience and reliability of supply. A highly diversified energy mix, low dependence on fuel imports and limited interruptions in energy supply were contributing factors. Notably, they were closely followed by an emerging economy, Malaysia (35).

The report revealed that many countries – amounting to over 90% of global emissions – are prioritizing sustainability, focusing on policies and programmes that promote energy conservation, renewable technologies and innovation in energy storage and grid modernization. Latin America led the way, with low levels of carbon intensity in energy supply, low per capita emissions and a high share of clean energy in final demand. Paraguay (34), Costa Rica (25) and Uruguay (23) in particular reaped the advantages of their abundant hydroelectric potential.

“The response to the global energy crisis has opened new opportunities for countries to reduce the energy intensity of their economic growth and increase the resilience of energy systems,” said Espen Mehlum, Head of Energy Transition intelligence and Regional Acceleration, World Economic Forum. “Together with the continued pressure to transform energy systems to respond to the urgent need to address climate change, it provides strong foundations to further accelerate the global energy transition.”

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

World Economic Forum Launches AI Governance Alliance

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World Economic Forum Launches AI Governance Alliance - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com Worlds First Restaurant Guide Based on AIGeneva, Switzerland, June 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum has launched the AI Governance Alliance, a dedicated initiative focused on responsible generative artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative expands on the existing framework and builds on the recommendations from the Responsible AI Leadership: A Global Summit on Generative AI.

The AI Governance Alliance aims to address today’s most critical issues as humanity approaches a potentially transformative socio-economic era. By bringing together influential regional voices and multiple stakeholders globally, the alliance seeks to harness the benefits of generative AI systems and technologies while ensuring equitable and sustainable global impacts.

Leveraging the World Economic Forum’s 50 years of expertise in multi-stakeholder partnerships, the AI Governance Alliance combines private sector knowledge, public sector governance and civil society objectives to address the transformative nature of generative AI systems. With the support of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the alliance actively engages with various regions while contributing to shaping a global approach to address the transformative nature of generative AI systems.

– The AI Governance Alliance will provide guidance on the responsible design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.
– The initiative will prioritize three main areas: ensuring safe systems and technologies, promoting sustainable applications and transformation, and contributing to resilient governance and regulation
– The alliance aims to accelerate the development of ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for generative AI and maximize the economic and social value it can create.
– The World Economic Forum invites stakeholders from various sectors, including businesses, academia and regulatory bodies, to contribute their expertise and insights to the initiative.

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Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, emphasized the alliance’s significance: “The AI Governance Alliance marks a significant stride towards responsible and ethical advancements in generative AI technology. Given its potential to transform businesses and societies, it is crucial that generative AI be developed and deployed with an unwavering focus on societal progress and human-centric principles.”
The primary goal of the AI Governance Alliance is to formulate and implement practical recommendations for the responsible design, development and deployment of generative AI systems. This initiative prioritizes three key areas:

– Safe systems and technologies
– Sustainable applications and transformation
– Resilient governance and regulation

By delving into crucial themes such as informed technology decisions, responsible adoption, the societal implications of AI, and ethical governance, the initiative offers guidance, tools and resources that foster the responsible and inclusive global development and deployment of generative AI technologies.

Alliance’s Views

“As a society, we must be clear-eyed about both the promise and the perils of generative AI and work together to ensure AI is always in service to humanity. The AI Governance Alliance is an important forum to bring together perspectives from around the world, connecting industry, governments and civil society to better answer how we can govern AI responsibly and do so at the pace of technological change.” – Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President, Microsoft.

“The World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance will help ensure that AI is developed and used boldly and responsibly. We look forward to engaging with governments and civil society to establish 21st-century frameworks for 21st-century technologies. We’re seeing remarkable technological advances, and we welcome the AI Governance Alliance’s plans to further opportunity, responsibility and security – working together to build AI that helps everyone.” – Kent Walker, President, Global Affairs, Google and Alphabet

“It’s vital that powerful new technologies are developed openly, not just behind-closed-doors in Silicon Valley. Realizing the immense potential of generative AI while mitigating the risks will take hard work and a spirit of openness and collaboration across the tech industry, governments and civil society. The World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance provides a forum to address issues around generative AI openly and accountably, bring new voices and perspectives to the debate, and ensure guardrails are developed that keep people safe.” – Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, Meta Platforms

“AI technologies are quickly reshaping our world. We have an opportunity to create ethical guardrails and policy frameworks that will inform how generative AI is designed and deployed. The World Economic Forum is creating the AI Governance Alliance to address responsible generative AI, and IBM looks forward to contributing our own expertise to this work.” – Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman, IBM

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Economists Divided on Global Economic Recovery, Expect Rebound in Asia

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Economists Divided on Global Economic Recovery, Expect Rebound in Asia - TRAVELINDEX - INCREDIBLEASIA.comGeneva, Switzerland, May 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The continuing uncertainty of the global economic outlook is reflected in the striking spread of responses to the latest Chief Economists Outlook, released today. In a survey featured in the report, experts are evenly divided on the prospects for the global economy, with equal shares of 45% saying that a global recession this year is likely or unlikely.

– Growth outlook has strengthened in all regions but chief economists divided on likelihood of a global recession in 2023
– Experts do not see recent bank failures as signs of systemic vulnerability, although further turbulence may be ahead
– Experts concerned about trade-off between managing inflation and maintaining financial stability, with 76% anticipating central banks to struggle to bring down inflation
– Industrial policy is increasingly widespread and could further restructure global supply chains

Chief economists expect both growth and inflation dynamics to vary widely across regions, while on the economic policy front, 72% predict proactive industrial policy to become an increasingly widespread phenomenon over the next three years. Although a majority do not see recent financial-sector disruption as a sign of systemic vulnerability, further bank failures and turbulence are considered likely this year.

Divergent regional dynamics

There has been a notable strengthening in growth expectations since the Chief Economists Outlook: January 2023, but the outlook differs sharply across regions. The most buoyant activity is expected in Asia, with China’s reopening expected to drive a significant rebound for the country and to bolster activity across the continent. More than 90% of the chief economists expect at least moderate growth in both East Asia and Pacific and South Asia.

At the other end of the spectrum, three-quarters of the chief economists still expect weak or very weak growth in Europe. In the United States, respondents were more optimistic in March-April than in January but are still divided on the outlook, with US growth prospects clouded by heightened uncertainty on financial stability and the likely pace and extent of monetary tightening.

On inflation, there was a marked uptick in all regions in the proportion of respondents expecting high inflation in 2023, and 76% of chief economists said they expect the cost of living to remain acute in many countries. Headline rates have begun to ease, but core inflation has been stickier than many expected. The dynamics are particularly stark in Europe and the US, where large majorities of the chief economists (90% and 68% respectively) expect high or very high inflation this year. China remains an outlier on inflation, with only 14% expecting high inflation this year.

Financial sector tremors

In the wake of recent bank collapses and financial market turbulence, chief economists expressed confidence in the systemic integrity of global markets. However, two-thirds highlighted the likelihood of further bank failures and disruption, while more than 80% said they expect businesses to find bank loans more difficult to secure as a result of tightening lending criteria. They also pointed to the knock-on effects of high interest rates, notably in the property sector, where two-thirds expect high rates to cause significant disruption in 2023-2024.

Changing face of globalization

The chief economists were unanimous in anticipating further changes in the structure of global supply chains. When asked which business strategies they expect to contribute to this reconfiguration, they highlighted adaption to geopolitical fault lines (94%), the prioritization of resilience over efficiency (91%), diversification of suppliers (84%) and an increased focus on environmental sustainability (77%).

They also pointed to the increasing significance of proactive industrial policy, with almost three-quarters expecting it to become a widespread approach to economic policy around the world. Respondents were divided on whether industrial policy will act as an engine of innovation, but they highlighted several potential concerns, including a deepening of geo-economic tensions (91%), the stifling of competition (70%) and a problematic increase in sovereign debt levels (68%).

“The latest edition of the Outlook highlights the uncertainty of current economic developments,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Labour markets are proving resilient for now, but growth remains sluggish, global tensions are deepening, and the cost of living remains acute in many countries. These results confirm the urgent need for both short-term global policy coordination as well as longer-term cooperation around a new framework for growth that will hardwire inclusion, sustainability and resilience into economic policy.”

The World Economic Forum’s Growth Summit, taking place in Geneva 2-3 May, will address the global growth outlook, hotspots in the global economy, and questions of competition and cooperation, as well as employment, skills and equity.

About the Chief Economists Outlook Report

This edition of the Chief Economist Outlook builds on the latest policy development research as well as consultations and surveys with leading chief economists from both the public and private sectors, organized by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society. It aims to summarize the emerging contours of the current economic environment and identify priorities for further action by policy-makers and business leaders in response to the compounding shocks to the global economy. The survey featured in this briefing was conducted in March-April 2023.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Discover the Young Global Leaders Class of 2023

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Discover the Young Global Leaders Class of 2023 - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25LEADERS.comGeneva, Switzerland, March 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum has announced the induction of the newest members of its Young Global Leaders Class of 2023. This year’s cohort includes nearly 100 promising political leaders, innovative entrepreneurs, game-changing researchers and visionary activists who are accelerating positive and lasting change in their communities, countries and the world.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Forum of Young Global Leaders has cultivated a diverse community of outstanding people addressing the world’s most pressing problems – today made up of over 1,400 members and alumni from more than 120 countries. In a turbulent and polarized world, committed, conscientious and inspired leaders are needed to create real-world change for the benefit of all. YGLs have demonstrated their commitment to improving the state of the world by unlocking the potential of technology for the common good, unveiling a plan to revolutionize health services in rural and refugee communities and galvanizing private sector action on pollution.

YGLs are renowned for their groundbreaking contributions to dynamic and exciting fields. Notable community members include Olympian Lewis Pugh and Paralympian Susannah Rodgers, Prime Minister Sanna Marin, entrepreneurs Jimmy Wales and Rhea Mazumdar Singhal, disability activist Sinéad Burke, computer scientist Joy Buolamwini, and professional racing driver Nico Rosberg.

As part of their three-year leadership development programme, YGLs will have access to a range of executive education courses, learning journeys and opportunities to collaborate with trusted peers, helping them achieve their goals and make an even more significant impact on society. We are excited to welcome the 2023 class of Young Global Leaders and are confident in their ability to bridge divides to create real-world change for the benefit of all.

“Celebrating these exceptional leaders, we commend the YGLs for their outstanding commitment to addressing pressing global issues. Their extraordinary achievements inspire us all and we are confident that their leadership will pave the way for a better future,” said Wadia Ait Hamza, Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

“The World Economic Forum is honoured to welcome the latest group of Young Global Leaders, whose exceptional achievements and commitment to improving the world come at a time when cooperation, partnerships and responsible leadership are more critical than ever,” said Nicole Schwab, Board Member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Meet the 2023 YGL Class

Academia/Think-tank

  • Shinjini Kundu, Physician-Scientist, Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA
  • Tanvi Ratna, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Policy 4.0. Research Foundation, India
  • Vukosi Marivate, Chair of Data Science, Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Arts, Culture & Sports

  • Fagun Thakrar, Founder, The Purpose Movie Studio, United Kingdom
  • Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, Founder and Managing Director, Global Culture House, Saudi Arabia
  • Paolo Petrocelli, Head, Dubai Opera, United Arab Emirates
  • Peace Hyde, Creator and Executive Producer, Netflix Inc., Ghana
  • Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ART X Collective, Nigeria
  • Yuchun Li, Artist, Beijing Yellow Stone Media Co.,Ltd, People’s Republic of China

Business

  • Aakrit Vaish, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jio Haptik Technologies Limited, India
  • Abdigani Diriye, Co-Founder, Bloom Financial Technologies, Kenya
  • Adam Lou, Chief Executive Officer, Lollipop Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, People’s Republic of China
  • Agon Gashi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Express, Kosovo
  • Alejo Czerwonko, Chief Investment Officer Emerging Markets Americas, UBS AG, USA
  • Ali Akhai, Chairman, Martin Dow Limited, Pakistan
  • Aron Schwarzkopf, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kushki, Ecuador
  • Barbara Garza, Former Country Manager, Director of Operations, Buenbit, Mexico
  • Charles Zhaoxuan YANG, Chief Financial Officer, NetEase.com Inc., People’s Republic of China
  • Claire Tsui, Managing Director, North Asia Head of Strategic Advisory and Private Asset Group, Credit Suisse AG Hong Kong Branch, Hong Kong SAR, China
  • David Upton, Managing Director, Chief of Staff for Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, Barclays PLC, United Kingdom
  • Devina Pasta, Head of Strategy, Digital & Technology, Siemens AG, Germany
  • Felipe Valencia-Dongo, Managing Partner, Grupo Estrategia Consultores, Peru
  • Florian DELMAS, Chairman, Andros & Cie, France
  • Fridtjof Berge, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, Antler Innovation Pte Ltd, Singapore
  • Gregory Rockson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, mPharma, Ghana
  • Hussain Hanbazazah, Director of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia
  • Hussam Hammo, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Tamatem Inc., Jordan
  • Isabelle Yap, Executive Director and Vice President, East West Banking Corporation, Philippines
  • Juan Pablo Mata, Chief Executive Officer, Grupo Mariposa, Apex Global Mobility, Guatemala
  • Jussi Herlin, Vice Chairman of the Board, Kone Corporation, Finland
  • Khaled Bin Braik, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, United Arab Emirates
  • Lauren Tilstra, Chief of Staff and Executive Director, Strategic Communications, Verizon Communications, USA
  • Lee Redden, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Hands On Robotics, USA
  • Li Chen, President, Gotion Global, Gotion High-tech, People’s Republic of China
  • Maria Vircikova, Chief Executive Officer, MATSUKO, Slovakia
  • Mariana Dias, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Gupy, Brazil
  • Marissa Giustina, Research Scientist and Quantum Electronics Engineer, Google LLC, USA
  • Marta Pinheiro, Director, XP Inc., Brazil
  • Moath Alnaeem, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Alpha Capital, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohamed Almaraj, Chief Executive Officer, ila Bank, Bahrain
  • Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner and Head of Gaming, Lightspeed Venture Partners, USA
  • Porter Diehl, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bridgewater Associates LP, USA
  • Richard Ettl, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, SkyCell AG, Switzerland
  • Roselyne Chambrier, Chief Executive Officer, Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), Côte d’Ivoire
  • Sanaa Souidi, Head of Group Risks and Analytics, Swiss Re Management Ltd, Switzerland
  • Shelley Stewart, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc., USA
  • Smriti Kirubanandan, Engagement Director, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, USA
  • Sofia Elizondo, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Brightseed Bio, USA
  • Stefany Bello, Senior Vice President of Digital Partnerships, Retail & Commerce, Mastercard, USA
  • Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company Limited, India
  • Sven Holstenson, Managing Partner, Pictet & Cie Group SCA, Switzerland
  • Tiffany Xingyu Wang, Chief Trust and Marketing Officer, Open Web Technologies Ltd., USA
  • Tom Plümmer, Chief Executive Officer, Wingcopter GmbH, Germany
  • Varun Sivaram, Group Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Ørsted Services A/S, USA
  • Vibin B Joseph, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, BiOZEEN, India
  • Wafa Al Obaidat, Chief Executive Officer, Obai and Hill, Bahrain
  • Wei Li, Managing Director, Global Chief Investment Strategist, BlackRock Inc., United Kingdom
  • Yusuke Narita, Founder, Hanjuku-kaso Inc., Japan
  • Zhang Yaoyu, General Manager Global LNG and New Energies, PetroChina International, People’s Republic of China

Civil Society

  • Avital Saskia Niño de Rivera Cover, Co-Founder and Spokeswoman, Reinserta -Un Mexico A.C-, Mexico
  • Chong Yu, China Chief Representative, WildAid, People’s Republic of China
  • Jonathan Fantini Porter, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Partnership for Central America, Guatemala
  • Kluane Adamek, Yukon Regional Chief, Assembly of Nations, Canada
  • Nick Allardice, Chief Executive Officer, Change.org, PBC, USA
  • Oluseun Onigbinde, Co-Founder and Global Director, Budgit, Inc., Nigeria
  • Roopa Dhatt, Executive Director, Women in Global Health, USA
  • Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), United Arab Emirates
  • Ying Wei, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Deja Vu, People’s Republic of China
  • Zhizhong Li, Co-Founder and Secretary General, Shiyu Children Foundation, People’s Republic of China

Media

  • Margaret Zhang, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue China, People’s Republic of China
  • Maureen Trantham, Senior Vice President, Head of Strategy and Social Impact & Philanthropy Operations, Sesame Workshop, USA
  • Natashya Gutierrez, Editor-in-Chief, Asia Pacific, Vice News, Australia
  • Uche Pedro, Founder, BellaNaija, Nigeria

Public Figures

  • Aaditya Thackeray, Leader, Shivsena, India
  • Adriana Tudela, Congresswoman, Congress of Peru, Peru
  • Aïssata Lam, Director General, Investment Promotion Agency of Mauritania, Mauritania
  • Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, Co-Founder and Deputy President, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, Malaysia
  • Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament, House of Commons, Canada, Canada
  • Batnairamdal Otgonshar, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mongolian People’s Party, Mongolia
  • Benjamina Karic, Mayor of Sarajevo, City of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Christoph Baumann, Envoy for Sustainable Finance, State Secretariat for International Finance, Switzerland
  • Daniel Arrigg Koh, White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary and former United States Department of Labor and City of Boston Chief of Staff, White House, USA
  • Huy Dung Nguyen, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Information and Communications of Viet Nam, Viet Nam
  • Idan Roll, Member of the Knesset, The Israeli Knesset, Israel
  • Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland, USA
  • Kow Abaka Essuman, Legal Counsel to the President, Office of the President of Ghana, Ghana
  • Madhukeshwar Desai, National Vice President, BJYM (BJP Youth Wing), India
  • Mateen of Brunei Darussalam, Prince, The State of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam
  • Miguel Medina, Minister of Investment, Honduras Government, Honduras
  • Sakaja Johnson, Governor, Nairobi City County, Kenya
  • Shahril Sufian bin Hamdan, Founder, SHP3 Advisory, Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Tara Iyer, Macroeconomist, International Monetary Fund, USA
  • Wafaa Jemali, Secretary General, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, Morocco
  • Walter Pacheco, Chief Executive Officer, Angolan Stock Exchange, Angola

Discover the new Young Global Leader (YGL) class at www.wef.ch/ygl23

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News