As the world turns its attention toward Davos 2026, the beginning of the new year provides an opportune moment to assess global risks and priorities. The World Economic Forum, set to commence its 56th Annual Meeting from January 19-23, will center discussions around five critical questions that aim to steer future collaborations and innovations across various sectors.
Historically, the tradition of celebrating the New Year traces back over 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who initiated festivities marking the occasion. Modern festivities vary globally, showcasing cultural diversity, from cold-water plunges to plate-smashing rituals. The Romans added structure to the celebrations by incorporating “vows of renewal” into the festivities, a practice that echoes in today’s New Year’s resolutions.
Davos has garnered recognition for fostering a spirit akin to collective resolutions, encouraging leaders to strive for improved global cooperation each year. The legacy of the Forum is evident in its past achievements, including facilitating crucial dialogues that helped avert conflict between Greece and Türkiye and supporting significant historical agreements like the end of apartheid.
This year’s event will explore pivotal themes. Participants will delve into ways to enhance global cooperation amid increasing geopolitical tensions, examining public-private partnerships that have provided humanitarian aid to over 305 million people in crises, and discussing how regional alliances might yield more effective outcomes than extensive global treaties.
Additionally, leaders will analyze pathways to unlock sustainable economic growth, contemplating the transformative trends reshaping industries and the geopolitical factors that will influence the economy by 2030. Importantly, gender equity’s role in economic participation will be highlighted, projecting that women may hold nearly 40% of global investable wealth by the end of the decade.
Investment in people remains another major focus, emphasizing the need to cultivate skills in artificial intelligence, data, and digital competencies essential for fostering growth and inclusivity. Furthermore, the convergence of AI and quantum technology in healthcare represents a significant frontier worth addressing.
The Forum will also delve into deploying innovations responsibly and at scale, discussing the practical applications of emerging technologies and the obstacles that hinder their adoption. Efficient financial regulation and innovation in insurance models may be pivotal in addressing climate change and closing the funding gap.
The topics set to be discussed reflect a holistic approach to future challenges, acknowledging interdependencies among environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social equity. The discussions at Davos 2026 promise not only to engage leaders in dialogue but also to inspire actionable resolutions as the world navigates the complexities of the coming year.