Annual Report WEF

World Economic Forum
Annual Report
2017– 2018
www.weforum.org
Contents
3 From the Executive Chairman

5 A Year of Transformation: Building Our Platform for the Future
7 A New Kind of International Organization
10 Shaping Future Agendas

12 The Forum as Convenor
14 Centre for Global Industries
26 Centre for Regional and Geopolitical Affairs
World Economic Forum ®
38 Centre for Global Public Goods
© 2018, All rights reserved.
No part of this publication
42 Centre for the New Economy and Society
may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or
by any means, including 46 Strengthening Public-Private Cooperation
photocopying and
recording, or by any 48 Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Global Network
information storage and
retrieval system. 52 Centre for Cybersecurity
REF 170817
54 Our Core Functions

62 Our Multistakeholder Communities
60 Business Engagement
62 Public Engagement
64 Strategic Intelligence
66 People and Culture
68 Organization of the World Economic Forum
69 Heads of the Major Organizational Functions of the World
Economic Forum
70 Finance, Technology and Operations
72 Social Engagement through Our Foundations
78 Our Global Presence

78 USA
78 China
78 Japan
80 Governance and Leadership

84 Compliance and Institutional Affairs
86 Financial Statements
From the
Executive Chairman
Dear Stakeholders, integrate all our communities and
It has been almost 50 years since the capabilities into a focused effort to
Forum was established as a small, establish new systems of national,
not-for-profit foundation. In that time, regional and global cooperation that
the world has seen unprecedented preserve the successes the world has
advances: humanity has been achieved and address the challenges
connected digitally, financially and it faces. This new forward-looking
through trade and integrated value framework must not only reflect the
chains. Yet progress is threatened fact that the world has moved from a
by critical global risks, deep fissures unipolar to a multipolar system, it must
have split global society and a tidal also be capable of integrating different
wave of technologically-driven change political, economic and social systems
– the Fourth Industrial Revolution – is while recognizing basic values
breaking over history. The need for that are essential to harmonious
global cooperation has never been global coexistence. In addition, this
greater, yet frameworks of governance framework must also integrate the
Klaus Schwab and the rules-based order are under concerns of all the segments of the
Founder and Executive Chairman threat. global population that feel left out.
This can only be achieved by creating
Since the founding of the Forum, our platforms that integrate all parts of
objective has been consistent: to be society into our collaborative efforts.
the world’s foremost platform to shape
global, regional and industry agendas To achieve this ambitious objective,
through multistakeholder engagement. this year the Forum underwent a
First, through the course of the 1970s, major strategic transformation to make
the Forum established its convening it fit for purpose as an international
power; in the next phase, we focused organization designed for the 21st
our efforts on building communities century: agile, multistakeholder,
of leaders in business, government forward-looking and solutions-
and civil society; later, we developed oriented. We are critically aware that,
a strong internal knowledge base in today’s complex world, challenges
resulting in numerous reports; and, can be addressed only if placed
most recently, we have built sustained within the larger context of political,
impact through a thriving portfolio economic, technological, governance
of multistakeholder projects. When and social interrelationships.
combined together, these capabilities
have established our unique global I am grateful to my 800 colleagues
position and strengthened the trust at the Forum, and particularly to all
of our stakeholders in our capability the stakeholders in government,
to act as a platform for interaction international organizations, business,
and evidence-based impact. All this civil society and academia who
time, the Forum has been striving for support us and engage directly in our
a position of excellence committed to activities to achieve our ambitious
improving the state of the world. mission.
Today, the Forum is making its most

significant transition to reflect our
new status as the International
Organization for Public-Private
Cooperation. As such, it will provide
what could be termed the “operating
system for global cooperation”. The
ambition for the coming years is to
Annual Report 2017–2018 3

4 Annual Report 2017–2018
A Year of Transformation:
Building Our Platform for
the Future
By Børge Brende, President, and the Managing Board, W. Lee Howell, Jeremy Jurgens, Cheryl Martin, Adrian Monck, Sarita Nayyar, Richard Samans,
Olivier Schwab, Murat Sönmez and Alois Zwinggi
The year was marked by strong –– Centre for Global Public Goods: India (Mumbai) and China (Beijing),
achievement, even by the standards to accelerate and amplify the planned for the second half of
of an organization in which global business community’s 2018.
exceptional performance is the rule. engagement to formulate solutions
Working to deliver against ambitious to systemic issues, such as the – Centre for Cybersecurity: to
targets, the World Economic Forum’s UN Sustainable Development provide an independent and
team of over 700 collaborators around Goals and the Paris Agreement impartial platform to build and
the world remained conscious of the on climate change. The World maintain global trust between
long-term mission: to build a new Economic Forum Sustainable the public and private sectors in
kind of international organization, Development Impact Summit, addressing cyberthreats, and to
one that is multistakeholder-based, launched this past fiscal year, reduce the overall cyberattack
multidisciplinary, agile, top-level has proved to be a major action- surface, contain attacks and
and enduring. It is a pioneering oriented contribution to making deter malicious actors. Key
mission that endeavours to create the world safer, cleaner and more governments, such as China,
lasting yet agile structures that can inclusive. Russia and the United States, as
respond to the ever-changing and well as key businesses are already
challenging environment that affects – Centre for the New Economy engaged.
all stakeholders in the quest for a and Society: to create concepts
positive future. for economic and social policy- Focus was placed on expanding the
making that reflect and adapt to Forum’s platform structures to enable
Efforts this year were focused the fast-moving transformation its stakeholders to integrate their own
on strategic priorities, including of the global economic and initiatives or engage in collaborative
restructuring the Forum’s core social systems, based on the projects based on their priorities. This
activities into four interdependent Forum’s recognized work in design principle is key to empowering
Centres: competitiveness, gender parity, Forum Members to integrate their
the future of work and skills own initiatives, leveraging the depth
– Centre for Global Industries: development. and breadth of the Forum’s network,
to continue to shape industry convening power, and intellectual and
agendas for public-private The Forum also introduced two major digital strength, thus ensuring that the
cooperation in the context of new endeavours this year: commitment to improving the state of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the world is not limited only to Forum-
characterized by new competitive – Centre for the Fourth Industrial led initiatives. The goal by 2020 is for
forces and a rapidly evolving Revolution Network: to co- 80% of the initiatives on the Forum
business environment. design and pilot the principles and platform to be externally led, from
protocols that govern emerging 39% today.
– Centre for Regional and technologies. Following the
Geopolitical Affairs: to intensify establishment of the Centre in The business community’s continuous
Forum efforts to be a major partner San Francisco, work began on and deep engagement is critical to
in building strong and prosperous rolling out a global network that achieving the Forum’s mission. Over
regions by strengthening the focus includes Centres in Japan (Tokyo), the past year, the number of Partners
on peace-building, reconciliation operational in July 2018, and in increased by 6%, and 93% of
and humanitarian efforts.

Partners renewed their engagement, To support the World
reflecting the international business
community’s commitment to and Economic Forum’s
expectations from the Forum as a positioning as a
global platform of interaction, insight
and impact.
distinctive partner of
business, government
Deep, broad and continuous and civil society, public
engagement with the top government
leaders has become ever more critical engagement activities
and imperative in times of accelerating were further developed
dislocation and fragmentation,
as geopolitical affairs intensify over the past year. The
unpredictably in the context of Forum is the most often
profound and rapid change. This year,
the Forum took important additional
mentioned international
steps to establish itself as a platform organization in print
for peace and reconciliation, building media, and the most
an intensive set of informal diplomatic
dialogues by placing the Forum active on social media.
at the service of the international
community. The effectiveness of this The Forum’s strategic insight
approach was reflected in the record capabilities were enhanced, as
participation of over 80 heads of state evidenced by the publication of more
in the World Economic Forum Annual than 80 reports. It also established
Meeting 2018 in Davos-Klosters, a Global Leadership Institute to help
Switzerland. strengthen and stimulate the mindset,
skill set and toolkits needed to lead
Achieving the Forum’s mission relies in the age of the Fourth Industrial
on the people and culture of the Revolution, and beyond.
organization. One of the most critical
priorities of the Managing Board was To be a leader in the Fourth Industrial
to further strengthen the Forum’s Revolution, the Forum continues its
operational and cultural foundations to pioneering work in curating platforms
act as the global trailblazer in systems
and exercising systems leadership
leadership through public-private
by developing proprietary knowledge
cooperation.
and interaction tools such as TopLink
This report outlines achievements and Transformation Maps.
that resulted from efforts over the
past 12 months. It highlights some of
the outcomes that marked this year
as one of the most successful in the
Forum’s 49-year history, as much
an indication of the Forum’s diversity
of activities as the significance of its
impact.

A New Kind of
International Organization
As the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the World
Economic Forum serves the international community by providing a platform
for advancing systemic improvements in cooperation and governance through
the engagement of multiple stakeholders, industries, technologies, regions and
intellectual disciplines.
By Richard Samans
Managing Director,
Head of Policy and Institutional Impact

14
The Forum is working to expand the cornerstone of global governance.
geometry of international cooperation But their effectiveness can often
at a time when a more interdependent be enhanced by embedding them
and multipolar world is facing in broader networks that harness
important challenges that no single multistakeholder and multidisciplinary
set of actors can resolve alone, and expertise and resources in self-
for which the business community associating coalitions of actors
has critical capabilities that need to be working to accelerate progress where
brought to the table. they believe it is most needed and System Initiatives are designed to add a
attainable. more networked and multidimensional
The Forum engages its numerous aspect to existing efforts in their
communities in different modes Through their ecosystem and platform respective fields
of public-private cooperation approach, the Forum’s Centres and
Centre for Global Industries
corresponding to its Centres, aiming 14 System Initiatives are designed – Shaping the Future of Consumption
to inspire and enable them to to add a more networked and – Shaping the Future of Digital Economy
collaborate in ways that shape global, multidimensional dimension to existing and Society
regional and industry agendas in a efforts in their respective fields. – Shaping the Future of Energy
positive direction. The Centres seek This includes helping to expand the – Shaping the Future of Financial and
to maximize their impact by exercising capacity of formal intergovernmental Monetary Systems
– Shaping the Future of Health and
system leadership – improving institutions and arrangements to
Healthcare
cooperation at an ecosystem-wide integrate the capabilities of business, – Shaping the Future of Information
rather than solely project-specific civil society and academia, along the and Entertainment
level – by: way improving the scale, innovation – Shaping the Future of Long-Term
and efficiency of global governance Investing, Infrastructure and
– Curating communities of interest and cooperation. Development
and purpose across industries, – Shaping the Future of Mobility
– Shaping the Future of Production
technologies, stakeholders, The growing contribution of public-
regions and intellectual disciplines private cooperation to international Centre for Global Public Goods
(system integration) governance poses no inherent – Shaping the Future of the Environment
threat to the role of states and and Natural Resource Security
– Enabling these communities with intergovernmental institutions. To the – Shaping the Future of Food
the support of our knowledge, contrary, in many cases it holds the
convening and project facilitation key to accelerating the implementation Centre for the New Economy and Society
– Shaping the Future of Economic
capabilities to identify systemic of the norms, goals and principles
Progress
gaps in cooperation and innovate states have established. – Shaping the Future of Education,
multistakeholder collaborations to Gender and Work
address them (system activation For this reason, the Forum’s strategy
and optimization) is to place each of these thematic Policy and Institutional Impact Group
public-private ecosystems (each – Shaping the Future of International
– Providing a platform that makes it Centre and Initiative) more readily Trade and Investment
easier for community members to at the service of the international
create their own multistakeholder community by creating strong links
projects on a self-organized, between them and the relevant The inaugural Sustainable
distributed basis by providing intergovernmental organization(s). Development Impact Summit process
them greater access to Forum Going forward, the objective is represents an important first step
networks, digital tools, events and to make a further contribution by in this direction. The Summit is a
communications (system scaling) helping to connect the dots across gathering of the World Economic
these specialized communities and Forum during the United Nations
Multilateral and other institutions in ways that strengthen the General Assembly in New York to
intergovernmental institutions performance and coherence of the spotlight and expand promising
and arrangements remain the international system as a whole. multistakeholder initiatives worldwide

that advance the implementation of – International experience nanotechnology to data ethics – and
the multidisciplinary 2030 Agenda and exchange and policy dialogue. offers a practical framework for
Paris Agreement on climate change. Cross-fertilization of national, leveraging these advances to leave the
subnational and self-regulatory world better, safer and more resilient
This Summit and its preparatory policy experience through Global than we found it.
process aim to provide the Fourth Industrial Revolution
international community with an Councils aimed at sharing A third area, the Forum’s informal
ongoing, cross-cutting approach learnings from pilots, identifying dialogue process among heads
to expand countries’ application best policy practices and of international organizations, the
of public-private partnerships and framing opportunities to advance Global Issues Group, is a forum for
advanced technologies to the international policy consistency or system-wide discussion about the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interoperability priorities of these leaders for increasing
and climate change plans. the synergy and collective impact
– Thought leadership and knowledge of global cooperation. A special
Technology cooperation is a diffusion. Dissemination of effort is being planned to deepen
second area in which the Forum is information and analysis on this process by consulting more
working to make a cross-cutting the latest Fourth Industrial closely with individual international
contribution to the effectiveness and Revolution policies and pilots organizations to help them identify
coherence of global governance. around the world, the foremost practical opportunities to leverage the
The Forum’s three technology- thinking on key cross-cutting Forum’s platform – its multistakeholder
related Centres on Cybersecurity, and future-oriented aspects of networks and knowledge, convening
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and communications capacities – to
and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (e.g. human-centred and agile advance their individual objectives; and
Network endeavour to maximize the governance), and the framing by discussing among the group how
opportunities and mitigate the risks of Fourth Industrial Revolution initiatives and resources in one thematic
for societies posed by technological implications/opportunities for other domain of international cooperation
progress. In particular, the Centre international governance domains could be better connected to and
for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (humanitarian, development, leveraged by those of others. There are
Network is helping to fill a long- human rights, etc.) precious few opportunities, let alone
standing gap in the international structured processes, to support such
institutional architecture in the – Network development and truly horizontal, long-term thinking.
area of technology governance support (national Fourth Industrial
and cooperation by creating a Revolution capacity building). Thus, the Forum is a new kind
new international mechanism for Encouragement of local ownership of international organization:
policy development, dialogue and and translation of the Fourth multistakeholder, multidisciplinary
coordination through the following set Industrial Revolution concept to and leader-level. It works at the
of activities: national circumstances through intersection of stakeholders, industries
the creation of a semi-distributed and regions to strengthen the
– Policy development. network of affiliated institutions strategic focus, systemic coherence
Multistakeholder development of a and delivery capacity of international
growing suite of policies/protocols To provide a roadmap for this work, cooperation. It helps to strengthen
that address critical governance earlier this year the book Shaping the performance of the international
gaps (major social risks and the Fourth Industrial Revolution was system by systematically connecting
opportunities) related to each published as a practical companion the capabilities of business, civil society
major advanced technology and guide to Klaus Schwab’s and academia, as well as governments
2016 volume, The Fourth Industrial at both the national and subnational
– Piloting and implementation. Revolution. Drawing on contributions levels in concrete ways that improve the
Support for governments from 200 of the world’s leading state of the world.
interested in piloting such experts, the book explores 12 key
policies/protocols at the national, emerging fields – from machine
subnational or regional levels learning to geoengineering to

Shaping Future Agendas

The Forum as Convenor
By W. Lee Howell
Managing Director,
Head of Global Programming

Convening diverse communities in a climate change commitments The gathering brought together
trusted, collaborative environment is through deeper public-private 350 Industry Strategy Officers
essential for building platforms that cooperation and wider application to reflect further on key priorities
integrate relevant decision-makers of the transformative technologies shaping the global, regional and
in systems leadership. The World of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. industry agendas, to advance the
Economic Forum’s unique capability Further efforts to catalyse coalitions, work of relevant System Initiatives
in multistakeholder engagement partnerships and alliances and to and to learn about the new Centre
was evidenced by over 300 working harness advanced technologies to for Cybersecurity and Centre for
group and task force meetings that address development, environmental Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
took place at its offices in Geneva, and other societal challenges
New York, San Francisco, Beijing were undertaken two months later The Forum’s role as convenor takes
and Tokyo last year. Such working in Dubai on the occasion of the into account the fact that the world
events are instrumental to achieving Annual Meeting of the Global Future has become much more complex,
the objectives of the Forum’s Centres Councils. multipolar and multiconceptual. To
and to developing the agendas for overcome the growing uncertainty in
the major events highlighted in this Thirty-five Global Future Councils the world, and to refrain from merely
report. comprising 700 experts from reacting to developments as they
academia, government, business and unfold, various Forum events enable
The Forum’s core events act as civil society convened to advance leaders from all walks of life to be
curated platforms that shape global, systemic change in such critical much more thoughtfully and actively
industry and regional agendas areas such as health, energy and engaged in shaping the future.
by convening the most relevant infrastructure using innovative digital
stakeholders. Each agenda is tools, including the World Economic
developed by integrating insights and Forum’s Transformation Maps. These
initiatives from the appropriate Forum Transformation Maps were made
communities, System Initiatives and available to the public and currently
Centres. The strategic objective is to more than 60,000 people around the
develop an integrated programme world access them online.
flow (by linking issues, insights
and innovations) in a systematic, The two events in the last quarter
structured and stimulating manner of 2017 were instrumental in the
across key Forum events, such as design and development of the
the Annual Meeting, the Annual overall agenda and specific sessions
Meeting of the New Champions, of the World Economic Forum
the Annual Meeting of the Global Annual Meeting 2018 in January in
Future Councils, the Sustainable Davos-Klosters. Creating a Shared
Development Impact Summit, the Future in a Fractured World was
Industry Strategy Meeting, as well as the overarching theme of the 48th
regional meetings. Annual Meeting at which 3,000
leaders engaged in over 400
To cite one example, the inaugural sessions focusing on four main
Sustainable Development Impact topics: Driving sustained economic
Summit was launched in September progress, Navigating a multipolar and
during the United Nations General multiconceptual world, Overcoming
Assembly in New York with 700 divisions in society, and Shaping the
leaders from over 70 countries, agile governance of technology. Six
including nine heads of state and months after the Annual Meeting,
government. The Summit focused the Industry Strategy Meeting was
on accelerating progress towards held in San Francisco at the World
the Sustainable Development Economic Forum Centre for the
Goals and Paris Agreement on Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Centre for Global Industries
By Jeremy Jurgens
Managing Director,
Head of Industry Agendas and Knowledge Engagement
The Centre for Global Industries is community curation (i.e. Steward and
a unique platform for industries to Governor communities). During this
shape their agenda and advance past year, excellent progress was
sector-related public-private made on strengthening communities,
cooperation. The Centre, with teams which cover over 20 industries
mainly based in Geneva, New York and impact industry-related issues
and Beijing, comprises all industry- through various initiatives and
related activities, including industry- collaborative projects.
focused System Initiatives and

Shaping the Future of Consumption
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming entire systems of production,

distribution and consumption, providing opportunities for new value creation
through game-changing technologies.
Consumer spending supports the essential characteristics digital- public sectors, China is predicted
approximately 60% of global GDP; era enterprises must embrace to to transition to a consumption-
hence, emerging business models ensure they thrive. It illuminated driven growth model, with the
of the consumption landscape, how creating agile operating purchase of goods and services
enabled by disruptive technologies, models – people, processes, by the public expected to grow
are a source of new global economic technology and governance – is 6% annually over the next decade,
growth. These models, however, can critical to support new patterns of fuelled by income growth. This
also contribute to societal challenges, consumption on the demand side, body of work also triggered an
including trust and transparency while also enabling automation exploration into how the Forum
concerns related to consumer data, and efficiencies on the supply side. can leverage its multistakeholder
environmental degradation, digital In this context, as technology- engagement to advance the
divides and workforce volatility. led innovation rages ahead, consumption landscape via the
significant workforce disruption evolution of data policy principles.
In this context of seismic change, is an inevitable outcome that
the System Initiative on Shaping was brought to the forefront. To In parallel, research began in another
the Future of Consumption aims to mitigate economic inequality, of the world’s fastest growing markets
shape the impact of technological representatives of the consumer – India. The body of work will include
disruption to drive enhanced and industries, which employ 19% collaboration with NITI Aayog (the
inclusive models of consumption with of the workforce across OECD National Institution for Transforming
sustainable benefits for business and countries, will form a task India), the Government of India’s
society. It envisions a future where force and explore labour-force policy think tank, as well as the
technology is firmly embedded in transformation solutions required Confederation of Indian Industry, the
people’s lives, making consumption to enable the reskilling and leading business association in the
simpler, more accessible, highly upskilling of employees. country.
personal and more enjoyable, while
also imbued with trust and in harmony – The Future of Consumption in
with nature. Fast-Growth Consumer Markets,
a multi-year initiative, sought to
Major achievements this year include illuminate scenarios on the future
the completion of two flagship of consumption in such emerging
projects, which fostered awareness markets as China, India and
and deep understanding of the key ASEAN, which comprise over 40%
issues and opportunities facing the of the world population. In its first
consumption landscape. They also year (2017), this study portrayed a
created the necessary momentum to compelling vision of the evolution
establish a community of purpose to of consumption in the world’s
address the societal implications of second largest consumer market
technological disruption. – China. According to extensive
proprietary research conducted
– Operating Models for the Future of across 20 cities with leading
Consumption provided insight into experts across the private and

Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and Society
Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and Society is a multistakeholder platform

to ensure an inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital future.
Significant progress was made this – Drove uptake of the cyber- technologies while protecting their
year through Forum-led, joint venture resilience Principles and Tools human rights: UNHCR, the World
and community-led platform projects. for Boards through the Forum Bank, the World Food Programme,
Under the guidance of its Stewardship Member community and beyond. Consumers International, Omidyar
Board and Global Future Council, a Focused on tackling cybercrime, Network, the Linux Foundation,
shared narrative and an initial set of the tools were endorsed at the the FIDO Alliance, the GSMA,
six Shared Digital Outcomes were International Business Council Hyperledger, ID2020, the Open
defined – considered as the SDGs and the Community of Chairmen Identity Exchange, the Sovrin
for digital – to align activity and and have become a foundational Foundation, the World Identity
enhance collaboration among existing tool (along with the Playbook for Network, Accenture, Barclays,
initiatives. Notable progress included: Public-Private Collaboration) for the Deutsche Bank, Mastercard,
Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity. Microsoft, Sedicii and Visa.
– Delivered public-private platforms
with a common methodology – Conducted original research – Scaled research, methods and
to drive internet accessibility, in to develop innovative ways to tools developed within this System
partnership with five governments measure value in the digital Initiative by partnering on digital
in Africa, the Middle East and Latin economy. At the macro level, the initiatives across the broader
America. These platforms have Value-at-Stake framework was Forum network. Examples include
catalysed a range of projects, launched, aiming to capture the Digital ASEAN, a regional platform
such as the Digital Ambassadors economic and societal value of for public-private collaboration
initiative in Rwanda – to train 5 digital transformation. At the micro on the digital agenda; a CEO-led
million youth in digital skills – or the level, pioneering research on Electricity industry initiative to
Girls Power Tech in Jordan, linking maximizing the return on digital leverage and iterate the Principles
Jordanian girls to successful investments – published in a and Tools for Boards to enhance
female mentors. This led to a joint white paper by the same name – cyber-resilience; support for
partnership with Smart Africa to analysed investments by 16,000 a network of young European
constitute the operational entity to companies in 14 industries to entrepreneurs to connect with
implement the approach in all its provide a data-driven perspective corporates and government to
member states. on where technologies are adding develop a guide on start-up and
value. enterprise collaboration; and
– Launched a cyber-resilience support for the humanitarian
Playbook for Public-Private – Raised awareness of the community launch of a major
Collaboration. This publication importance and challenges of digital transformation initiative
includes practical steps on how digital identity. At the Annual leveraging insights from 14 industry
business and governments can Meeting 2018 in Davos-Klosters, in-depth examinations.
collaboratively tackle 14 difficult 17 organizations publicly
cyber-policy questions, such as committed to working together In addition, and as a critical enabler
how to deal with encryption. to ensure the empowerment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
of individuals and access to the Information and Communications
critical services through digital Technology (ICT) industries are

at the heart of the ongoing global The first phase of this initiative
transformations. Rapid advances is focused on creating an
in computing and connectivity enabling policy landscape for the
technologies are creating both greater recyclability and reuse of
immense opportunities for human electronics in China.
development and extraordinary
challenges for both the private and – The IoT Guidelines for
public sectors. The work of the Sustainability, based on
Forum’s ICT communities ensures the analysis of over 640 IoT
that governments and businesses deployments worldwide, provide
collaborate and form partnerships recommendations related to
to help realize the potential of cooperation, investment, business
technologies for society. models and impact measurement
to encourage the prioritization
The international community of ICT of sustainability goals within IoT
leaders focused on the human and commercial strategies.
environmental impacts of existing and
emerging technologies. Together they
spearheaded multiple initiatives to
drive positive impact, including:
– TheSkillSET.org, an initiative
designed to help individuals
understand and prepare for the
changing employment landscape
in the increasingly digital economy.
The online skills portal was
launched at the Annual Meeting
2018, making corporate learning
modules available to anyone online
for free. The initiative aims to reach
1 million people with resources
and training opportunities by 2021.
– Circular Electronics in China,

a multistakeholder initiative to
rethink the electronics supply
chain to proactively mitigate
the rise of e-waste, the world’s
fastest growing waste stream.

Shaping the Future of Energy
Energy is at the heart of modern economic prosperity. Without it, daily activities
and dreams of a cleaner, greener, more efficient world – which includes self-
driving cars, the IoT, the data centres and AI needed to run them – would grind to
a halt.
The global energy system is in a state Highlights include: of companies and institutions and
of flux. Rapid developments in areas has become a truly global public-
such as the digitalization of energy, – The Energy Transition Index private partnership for an inclusive,
energy efficiency, renewables, energy provides data on today’s sustainable and innovative battery
storage and electric mobility are performance and transition value chain.
transforming the energy landscape readiness of more than 100
and corporate strategies while helping countries, and a holistic framework – The Forum platform has also
to reduce the environmental footprint to support effective energy supported other alliances in areas
of energy. transition. such as developing blockchain
solutions for energy, expanding
Still, greenhouse gas emissions from – Concerning the future of energy access and advancing
energy consumption and production electricity, the Forum enabled developments in hydrogen for this
represent two-thirds of the global the acceleration of grid edge fuel to become part of the global
total and are growing alongside global technology and policy deployment mix of energy solutions.
energy demand. While awareness as witnessed by the work
has increased and new market conducted in Colombia, led
opportunities have been created, the by the Minister of Energy and
energy transition is happening at a Mines, which has leveraged the
pace that is too slow to deliver on framework developed by the
the Paris COP21 targets for secure Forum and its partners. A new
energy. For the transition to progress, agenda to maximize opportunities
the world requires a collaborative, from electric mobility and
systematic approach that involves advanced electricity solutions in
policy-makers and multiple industry cities in an integrated way was
sectors committed to solving developed and will be deployed in
problems and capitalizing on new partnership with interested cities.
opportunities.
– The collaboration with Mission
The System Initiative on Shaping the Innovation, an alliance of leading
Future of Energy aims to accelerate governments committed to
the development of effective policies, accelerating clean energy R&D
private-sector actions and public- and innovation, has created
private collaboration to enable an significant opportunities for public-
effective energy transition. It serves private partnerships to increase
as a platform to move to action. Over investments in energy innovation
the course of the last 12 months, and bring new solutions to
the Forum brought new data and markets.
frameworks to the table and formed
action-oriented partnerships. – The Global Battery Alliance is
supported by a significant number

Shaping the Future of Financial and Monetary Systems
A well-functioning global financial system serves as the cornerstone of economic

activity, long-term growth and development.
Today’s financial and monetary – Identifying and acting upon United Nations, the International
systems are contending with a wave opportunities to increase the Monetary Fund, the International
of tech-enabled innovation. These availability of quality, affordable Finance Corporation, the World
advances mean firms are increasingly financial services for all around Bank), telecommunications and
competing or partnering at different the world technology companies, and
points along the financial services professional services institutions
value chain, driving costs down To date, these efforts have resulted in:
overall while increasing efficiencies – Creating public-private consortia
and access. Concurrently, the – Catalysing public-private to reduce cyber-risk in the financial
public sector seeks to balance the partnerships via memoranda of services system and promote the
benefits of technological innovation understanding with governments fight against financial crime
with the emerging risks to consumer on digitizing payments across
protection and system stability. value chains, including – Defining high-level, global
government-to-person transfers, principles on the appropriate use
The System Initiative on Shaping the business-to-business payments, of customer data for providers
Future of Financial and Monetary and consumer electronic payment of financial services
Systems seeks to understand, adoption
influence and catalyse positive These areas of focus stem from
transformation by generating domain – Changing mindsets engagement with the leadership of the
knowledge and strategic insights, through thought leadership; System Initiative, with input from the
proposing leading practices and knowledge products (e.g. Financial Institutions industry, and the
policy recommendations, and working white papers, reports and World Economic Forum Global Future
with governments to increase the policy recommendations) have Council on Financial and Monetary
access and use of quality, affordable generated more than 100,000 Systems.
financial services for unserved and unique downloads on a diverse
underserved populations. set of topics, including disruptive
innovation in financial services,
Key areas of focus include: improved financial inclusion
metrics and innovation-driven
– Exploring why and how innovations cyber-risk in financial services,
are changing business models and and the insights have been used
restructuring ecosystems across to inform senior policy-makers and
specific aspects of the financial business leaders around the globe
and monetary architecture
– Driving robust engagement
– Analysing and assessing the across traditional financial service
implications of these changes on providers, fintechs, civil society
the efficient allocation of capital (e.g. the Vatican, labour unions),
and financial stability international organizations (the

Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare
The System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare transforms
the global health landscape by working along the continuum of care – from
prevention to diagnosis, treatment, cure and maintenance of health – to enable
people to lead healthier lives and access the care they need to fulfil their potential.
Examples of success in 2017-2018 – Changing leadership mindsets
include: by working with key industry
Partners, the World Bank and
– Catalysing action by setting up the World Travel and Tourism
a coalition with 70 healthcare Council. The work involved
stakeholders, including the creating a network of health, travel,
Government of Canada, in a value- tourism and hospitality operators
based healthcare transformation that committed to improving
project to reduce the negative communications and minimizing
impact for patients of type 2 risks, promoting travel advisories
diabetes in Ontario, Canada. and managing border measures
Almost 6 million people are related to infectious disease
expected to have this type of outbreaks.
diabetes in Ontario by 2026, and
this collaboration will deliver better – Developing the roadmap for
care and higher quality of life for advancing the precision medicine
patients across the region. agenda. This effort included
fostering stakeholder cooperation
– Positioning the World Economic in four countries to build
Forum as the platform for technology for accessing genomic
international public-private data across country borders,
cooperation. Two examples developing a policy playbook for
include supporting the World cross-border data access, and
Health Organization (WHO) in formulating ethical principles for
realizing a major breakthrough in the access and use of genomic
designing a policy for managing data.
liability/compensation associated
with the use of experimental
vaccines during infectious
disease outbreaks such as the
Ebola outbreak in May 2018, and
entering into an agreement with
the WHO and World Bank for the
Forum to become the official host
of the private-sector constituency
of the global partnership for
achieving universal health
coverage by 2030 through primary
healthcare.

Shaping the Future of Long-Term Investing,
Infrastructure and Development
The System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Long-Term Investing, Infrastructure

and Development comprises a broad portfolio of work that operates under the
hypothesis that today’s world is driven excessively by short-term pressures that
prevent optimal outcomes for all stakeholders in the long term.
In this spirit, it focuses on those of the United Kingdom on how Strategy for Crowding-in Private
areas where long-term orientation to create policy conditions that Sector Finance for Growth and
can make the biggest difference, promote private-sector solutions to Sustainable Development).
notably in long-term investing (which social problems.
includes corporate leadership) and – In partnership with Atkins Acuity
infrastructure. Both pillars enjoyed – The Retirement Investment and Caisse de Depot et Placement
successes over the past year. Systems Reform project partnered du Quebec, the Forum published
with five US states to help them Recycling Our Infrastructure for
Key activities and deliverables include: implement global best practices Future Generations, an insight
as they redesign their pension piece on asset recycling, providing
– The World Economic Forum schemes. policy-makers with a promising
Compact for Responsive and tool to enhance their infrastructure
Responsible Leadership, with – The Sustainable Development portfolios.
over 140 signatories in its first Investment Partnership, a
year, is at the centre of the collaboration between the Forum – Under the umbrella of “National
initiatives promoting long-term and the OECD to promote blended Infrastructure Acceleration”, the
entrepreneurship and corporate finance solutions, has attracted 41 Forum continued to work with the
leadership. In collaboration with member institutions representing Governments of Argentina, Brazil,
Thomson Reuters, it also led to the governments, philanthropy and India and Viet Nam on efforts to
development of a digital workbench private capital to its platform. It make their infrastructure pipeline
that CEOs can use to benchmark has also successfully launched its more investable by private capital.
themselves on multiple dimensions African hub in partnership with the
of long-term leadership. Development Bank of South Africa – The portfolio on urban development
and catalysed its first reference published reports on migration
– The Global Future Council on Long- transactions. (Migration and Its Impact on Cities),
Term Investing, Infrastructure and the circular economy (Collaboration
Development advanced significant – The Africa Infrastructure Fellowship in Cities: From Sharing to ‘Sharing
thought leadership by surveying the Programme, designed to build Economy’) and big data (Circular
asset owner community to study infrastructure procurement capacity Economy in Cities: Evolving the
investor practices that support at the government level across model for a sustainable future),
long-term focused business Africa, is a partnership with the providing urban policy-makers with
strategies. It published a white Global Infrastructure Hub, Meridiam additional intelligence on the trends
paper on Insights on Practitioner Capital and the Government of in these areas.
Progress beyond Short-Term France.
Financial Considerations on
constructive engagement between – A Forum-curated dialogue
corporations and their investors. between private-sector chief
executive officers and multilateral
– The mainstreaming of impact development banks (MDBs) helped
investing advanced through a catalyse the G20 “Hamburg
collaboration with the Government Principles” (the Principles of MDBs

Shaping the Future of Information and Entertainment
The System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Information and Entertainment

continued to stimulate positive change across the creative and information
sectors.
Focus was placed on improving the a start-up initiative catalysed by the

resources and skills for different Forum, seeks to provide a consumer
stakeholders to access and compliant user data exchange for
participate in the free flow of more digital publishers to enhance revenues
reliable and credible content, and on from advertising. It is funded by
strengthening the positive outcomes the Craig Newmark Foundation
of the creative economy for business in partnership with the Mozilla
and society by fostering innovation Foundation. Finally, a new coalition to
in content creation, distribution and define a comprehensive framework
consumption. of content credibility signals for digital
platforms and content distributors was
In association with the World recently formed, involving the Tow-
Economic Forum, the DQ Institute Knight Centre, the World Wide Web
expanded its public-private Consortium and the Trust Project.
partnership model aimed at increasing
youth digital intelligence quotients
(DQ): by the end of 2017, the model
was piloted in 30 countries with an
average increase in DQ of 14% in over
600,000 children reached to date. An
example of the partnership model can
be found in Turkey, where Turkcell,
the DQ Institute and the Ministry of
Education worked towards a national
roll-out and full programme integration
of the Institute’s curriculum and
platform.
In addition, the System Initiative

broadened its programme by
launching three new consortium-
led and joint-venture projects.
United For News, in collaboration
with the World Economic Forum, is
improving the economic sustainability
of local and independent media.
The project is funded by the News
Integrity Initiative, led by Internews,
and coalition members include
Vodafone, Bloomberg, the GSMA,
Edelman and AppNexus. Merid.io,

Shaping the Future of Mobility
Mobility – the movement of people and goods – is a fundamental human need

and a key enabler of economic and social prosperity.
The objective of the System Initiative is – Securing commitment from the SIMSystem Working Group and
to deliver a platform for business and Governments of Canada and the Steering Committee to launch a
government leaders to design a global Netherlands to design a pilot to SIMSystem pilot
mobility system that is safe, clean and demonstrate how unique digital
inclusive. The System Initiative seeks identities could make international – Establishing the Drone Innovators
to identify the interventions in which travel safer and easier for Network to accelerate the speed
a relatively small amount of effort passengers of policy innovation to better keep
through public-private collaboration pace with technical innovation
can yield significant impact. – Collaborating with the Government
of Rwanda and the International – Developing the Space
The 2017-2018 projects include Civil Aviation Organization to Sustainability Rating concept
Security in Travel, SIMSystem: create new regulations for drones under the leadership of the World
Designing Seamless Integrated that demonstrate best-in-class Economic Forum Global Future
Mobility, Drones and Tomorrow’s principles for performance-based Council on Space Technologies,
Airspace* and Autonomous and regulation with support from the Aerospace
Urban Mobility* and their work has community, which seeks to
had the following outcomes: – Developing guiding principles to promote existing guidelines
guide public- and private-sector for orbital debris mitigation by
– Continuing to partner with the organizations to foster seamless increasing transparency and
City of Boston to develop more and integrated mobility through the creating market pressure to drive
sophisticated models to quantify SIMSystem initiative the sector’s sustainable growth
the impact of shared autonomous
vehicle fleets on Boston’s mobility – Launching an application process – Bringing together leaders from
and to catalyse autonomous to demonstrate the SIMSystem the Indian public and private
vehicle testing in the city principles and encourage sectors to address how India can
government leaders to improve enhance its value proposition and
– Improving the delivery of aid to mobility in their region create an enabling environment for
Rohingya refugees and other the country’s travel and tourism
groups relocating from Myanmar to – Concluding the collaboration industry through the Incredible
the Bangladesh border through the with the City of Boston following India 2.0 work, following the
Logistics Emergency Team publication of the research findings launch of The Travel & Tourism
showing that autonomous vehicles Competitiveness Report 2017.
– Developing the Known Traveller will decrease city traffic overall,
Digital Identity (KTDI) concept, increase traffic in the city’s core * Projects based at the Centre for the
which serves as an interoperable and free up half the parking Fourth Industrial Revolution
digital identity linked directly spaces across the city, among
to government-issued identity other conclusions
documents (i.e. ePassports)
that leverages biometrics and – Collaborating with the cities of
distributed ledger technology. Detroit, Ann Arbor and Windsor
at the recommendation of the

Shaping the Future of Production
Production is more than manufacturing; it encompasses everything from R&D and

design, to consumer behaviour and end-of-use cycles.
Production includes sectors as diverse – The Readiness for the Future of industries and geographies. It
as automotive, chemicals, electronics, Production 2018 project is a new emphasized the need to drive
healthcare and textiles, among others. data-driven framework building major collaborative efforts
It has been the foremost source of on The Global Competitiveness with businesses, governments
growth, jobs and innovation, but also Report to assess 100 countries and labour unions, to cause
contributes heavily to CO2 emissions and their ability to capitalize on a paradigm shift and enable
and climate change. Launched in future production opportunities. continuous skilling and reskilling of
2017, the System Initiative on Shaping It informed and supported the the production workforce. Further
the Future of Production drives the revision of national priorities, such work will identify examples of
application of new technologies in as South Africa’s new Industrial reskilling for production workers
manufacturing to stimulate innovation, Policy Action Plan, Brazil’s new and help redefine the role of
sustainability and employment through Industry 4.0 policy and Mexico’s business, government and labour
innovative pilots and partnerships. Industry 4.0 platform. A transition in the age of AI and automation.
framework is being built to help
In 2017-2018, led by more than 130 economies upgrade their industrial – The Future of Production in ASEAN
leaders from government, business, strategies through public-private project brought together business
academia and civil society, the System cooperation, and successfully shift and government representatives to
Initiative focused on five areas. towards the future of production. agree on a three-step programme
to ensure ASEAN as a region is
– New insights published in The – A report on Driving the ready for the future of production.
Next Economic Growth Engine: Sustainability of Production Results will be shared at the World
Scaling Fourth Industrial Revolution Systems with Fourth Industrial Economic Forum on ASEAN in Viet
Technologies in Production Revolution Innovation shared a Nam in September 2018.
showed that most companies strategic framework to harness
are not moving sufficiently technological advances in In addition, the System Initiative serves
quickly to adopt technology at production and drive sustainable as a platform for new collaborative
scale and maximize returns on development and competitiveness. efforts driven by partner organizations,
their investment. The first global The framework is now being for example to test the effects of
network of lighthouses, test piloted in Andhra Pradesh, India, new technologies on production
beds and capability centres for and will soon be deployed in value chains across Latin America (in
manufacturing is being established other geographies across the collaboration with the Inter-American
to kick-off a cross-industry learning United States and China as Development Bank), and to establish
journey and help multinational proof of concept to inform global a G20+ learning platform for digitizing
corporations and small and conversations and reach scale. manufacturing (in collaboration with
medium-sized enterprises escape the Ministries of Economy or Industry
“pilot purgatory”, when pilot – The study and publication of Germany, Argentina and Japan).
trials of IoT technology systems on The New Production
progress at a snail’s pace, or not at Workforce highlighted the
all. gap in manufacturing across

Centre for Regional and
Geopolitical Affairs
By Børge Brende
President and Head of the Centre for Regional and Geopolitical Affairs

The Centre for Regional and Breaking the Impasse community and geo-economics. This focus
Geopolitical Affairs maintains the of Israeli and Palestinian business is anchored in the long-standing
World Economic Forum’s long- leaders. In May in Sofia, the Forum work of The Global Risks Report,
standing commitment to delivering convened public figures and business which will include new insights on
regional and country-level impact, leaders from the Balkans and the the intersection of geopolitics on
and helps stakeholders decipher and European Union for a strategic one side, and the environment, the
navigate the transformations in the discussion on helping advance Fourth Industrial Revolution and trade
international system. welfare and economic development on the other. This track constitutes
in the Balkan region through public- a key element in the efforts to
We have moved into a global era that private cooperation. Similarly, work help stakeholders decipher and
is radically plural. The world is not continues with global humanitarian navigate tumultuous changes in the
just multipolar but multiconceptual. actors to support the transformation international system.
Important global institutions are of the international humanitarian
under growing strain, and the world’s system.
fissures and fractures increasingly
affect norms and values as much In a similar way that global political
as the distribution of conventional superpowers have shaped global
geopolitical power. But this is also a affairs, the world will witness over the
period of vibrant experimentation, with coming decade the emergence of
leaders around the globe exploring technology superpowers, which will
diverse political and economic reform shape the future of business, society
agendas. and possibly even human nature. In
anticipation of this trend, the Forum
More than ever, therefore, platforms works closely with governments to
allowing dialogue and collaboration harness the transformative power
among stakeholders within and of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
between countries are needed. for the benefit of society. For this
Facilitating this kind of engagement purpose, in early 2017 the Centre for
remains at the core of the World the Fourth Industrial Revolution in San
Economic Forum’s mission, with Francisco was created, now being
regional meetings and initiatives supplemented by a global network
an indispensable locus for insight of Centres that have increased
and action. As national and global the number of government and
institutions come under mounting international organization partnerships
pressure, regions have become five-fold over the past year. Among
an increasingly important tier of others, Centres are being launched
international collaboration. This was in China, India and Japan. One of the
reflected in the rich regional agendas notable focuses of the government-
that the Forum steered over the past facing work on the Fourth Industrial
year. Revolution has been in the area of
agile governance, where the Forum
The Forum also continued to make is working with representatives of
its platform available for dialogue the public and private sectors to
to bolster peace, reconciliation and reimagine how policy-making can
reconstruction. For example, at the be effective against a backdrop of
Annual Meeting 2018, a new series far-reaching and rapidly evolving
of diplomacy dialogues around technological change.
the world’s key fault lines was
inaugurated, such as on the Korean In March 2018, the World Economic
Peninsula, Venezuela and the Sahel, Forum strengthened its efforts to
as well as exchanges within the provide insights related to geopolitics

India and South Asia
Deep multistakeholder dialogue is critical as South Asia manages rapid growth

and looks to address the challenges of inclusion and the need for deeper
economic integration across the region.
Strong performance from India, change, India’s cultural renaissance, community to shape the agenda,
Bangladesh and Pakistan drove infrastructure, gender parity, tourism, engage in dialogue, and initiate and
GDP growth in the region. Indian education, skills and economic drive projects.
Prime Minister Modi set out his reforms.
vision for a new “Indo-Pacific” as his
country strengthens its role on the Prime Minister Modi delivered the
subcontinent. Despite this positive opening address at the World
story from an economic standpoint, Economic Forum Annual Meeting
South Asia remains the least 2018. His participation was a great
integrated and one of the poorest milestone in the over 30-year
regions in the world. It is home to over relationship between the World
300 million poor, which is one-third Economic Forum and the Government
of the global poverty headcount. of India.
India, the world’s largest democracy,
continues to be the fastest-growing At the Annual Meeting, the opening
major economy globally and is of a Centre for the Fourth Industrial
expanding its leadership in a wide Revolution India in Mumbai in the
range of global initiatives. second half of 2018 was announced
on 23 January 2018 in the presence
The Forum’s India and South Asia of Prime Minister Modi. Additionally,
community comprises over 80 the Forum signed a separate
companies, 91 Young Global Leaders, partnership agreement with the State
443 Global Shapers spread across of Maharashtra to initiate a project on
34 Hubs, and 49 entrepreneurs from drones and airspace. The Centre for
the Schwab Foundation for Social the Fourth Industrial Revolution India
Entrepreneurship. will help to develop and pilot protocols
and governance frameworks
The India Economic Summit, held on to harness the latest scientific,
4-6 October 2017, brought together technological and policy innovations
over 650 leaders from business, spurred by the Fourth Industrial
government, civil society, the arts and Revolution, both from within India and
culture, science and academia. Held internationally.
under the theme of Creating Indian
Narratives on Global Challenges, The Annual Meeting 2018 also
the Summit explored how India benefited from the strong participation
can increase its global relevance of Bangladesh and Pakistan and the
and seize a unique opportunity to Forum continued to engage with Sri
ensure that economic growth is Lanka on various projects. The World
enduring, broad-based and socially Economic Forum aims to deepen
inclusive. The participants explored its role as a platform in South Asia,
a range of issues, including climate working with its multistakeholder

Asia-Pacific
The Forum is collaborating with partners in the Asia-Pacific region to shape

the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a way that creates opportunities for regional
integration, inclusion and sustainability.
The Asia-Pacific region is one of In South Korea, the Forum established

the fastest growing areas, driven a strong working relationship with
by a broad-based global economic the new administration, based on
recovery and strong domestic the unique role that it can play in
dynamics. Against this backdrop, supporting the country’s ongoing
the Forum continued to deepen its transformations. The changing geo-
relationships with governments and economic dynamics of the Korean
strengthen its portfolio of regional Peninsula are of particular importance,
projects and initiatives. but so, too, is the unfolding impact
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In
This work was characterized by several this regard, the Forum announced
high-level goals, including collaborating plans to establish an Affiliate Centre
with many partner governments to for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in
reinforce the underlying drivers of the collaboration with the Government of
growth story. Just as importantly, the Korea, to take shape in the year ahead.
Forum is working to improve the quality
of growth to match the impressive In ASEAN, two communities of interest
quantity of growth. It is helping to and action – the ASEAN Regional
shape policies to drive economic Strategy Group and the ASEAN
inclusion, to improve environmental Regional Business Council – are
performance and to position countries driving a powerful set of projects
to stay competitive in an era of rapid, focused on key regional priorities.
non-linear change. Navigating the Among them are work on assessing
disruptions of the Fourth Industrial how the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Revolution is a critical part of the creates opportunities for new forms
initiatives. So, too, is building an of regional integration, what the future
understanding of how the region’s of production looks like, and how
rising economic weight will reshape governments can respond to the future
geopolitical relationships, economic of jobs. The most recent initiative
interactions, and global institutions and launched was Digital ASEAN, a set of
governance. projects directed at building a regional
digital economy and single digital
In Australasia, the Forum invested in market.
expanding its team with promising
results. In Australia, for example, a
strong multistakeholder community
is taking shape, with a particular
focus on shaping the Fourth Industrial
Revolution in a positive, human-
centred direction.

Europe and Eurasia
A fundamental priority for Europe is to develop an inclusive political and economic

narrative, while Eurasia must increase digital resilience for the Fourth Industrial
Revolution.
The World Economic Forum engaged economies, which led to partnerships its multistakeholder platform in both
over 150 political, civil society and on the Centre for Cybersecurity, regions:
business leaders and youth from the the Centre for the Fourth Industrial
region to provide a much-needed Revolution Network and thematic task – Global Future Council on Europe:
platform for dialogue and public- forces, as well as commitments to policy experts, decision-makers,
private cooperation. With the aim strengthen public-private cooperation youth and business leaders
of developing a new narrative for a even further. addressing critical issues and
modern Europe, which also reflects the providing strategic guidance for
voice of those who feel disengaged Eurasia continued to pursue economic the Europe agenda at the Annual
from the discourse on the region’s integration with long-term sustainable Meeting 2019
future, the group developed practical growth as a priority, diversified away
recommendations for five focus areas from natural resources, given the – Regional Business Council (RBC)
(including a common defence strategy, changing energy landscape and on Europe: 38 chief executives from
migration strategy and inclusive growth disruptions created by the Fourth European and global companies
models). These were published in the Industrial Revolution. Over the past endorsing and championing current
Renew Europe report in January 2018. year, the Forum lent support to Eurasian initiatives on the regional agenda,
economies to increase their digital including Digital Europe and
The Forum worked on implementing competitiveness and resilience. Universal Right to Learn
select objectives, such as the Universal
Right to Learn – an innovative approach The Forum fostered strong connections – Global Future Council on Russia:
to lifelong learning and the acquisition with leaders in Europe and Eurasia: government, business and civil
of digital skills. Another goal was to some 40 policy-makers engaged society representatives exploring
partner with the European Union in System Initiatives and related the role of Russia in the world and
to benefit from the Fourth Industrial endeavours. Over 40 European the country’s social and economic
Revolution with the Digital Europe and Eurasian heads of state and development, as well as its
project, which seeks to create a pan- government participated in the Annual readiness for the transformations
European ecosystem for innovation Meeting 2018 in Davos-Klosters, brought on by the Fourth Industrial
and entrepreneurship in which including all European leaders from Revolution
entrepreneurs thrive and easily scale the G7. In the context of the Forum’s
their operations across borders. A geopolitical agenda, the Western – New Leaders for Europe: young,
group of European ecosystem builders Balkans dialogue regularly convened influential political leaders from a
addressed the nine opportunity regional decision-makers on such focus range of countries, parties and
areas in the “Declaration on a Pan- areas as opportunities for economic portfolios seeking new and practical
European Ecosystem for Innovation development through public-private solutions to regional challenges
and Entrepreneurship” that was pre- partnerships and a regional digital
launched at the Annual Meeting 2018, agenda. The high-level exchange at – Digital Leaders of Europe:
together with Collaboration between the Annual Meeting 2018 continued in ecosystem builders including
Start-ups and Corporates: A Practical Sofia in May (hosted by the Bulgarian investors, incubators, public figures
Guide for Mutual Understanding. The EU Presidency). Recognizing the urgent and serial entrepreneurs with a keen
Forum also forged strong collaborations need for fresh thinking and strong interest in building a pan-European
with European and Eurasian G20 leadership, the Forum consolidated entrepreneurial space.

Japan
The Forum is working with leaders in business, government and civil society in
Japan to advance new dialogues around innovation and the implications of the
Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Following significant development innovative solutions to a variety of

of the World Economic Forum’s urban problems and gathered more
presence in Japan – with the than 80 participants from business,
appointment of a new director at the public sector, academia and civil
the helm of its Japan Office and an society from Japan and elsewhere.
expanded team – Klaus Schwab
announced the opening of the The Forum also participated in
Centre for the Fourth Industrial the third RRI (Robot Revolution
Revolution Japan. This first Centre Initiative) International Symposium for
for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Connected Industries in November
located outside the United States 2017 in Japan, organized by the Robot
was officially launched on 2 July 2018 Revolution Initiative in partnership with
in collaboration with the Ministry of the METI. The objective was to raise
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) awareness of the effects of the Fourth
of Japan and the Asia Pacific Initiative Industrial Revolution, the fundamental
(API). transformation happening in business,
economic and social systems,
Throughout the year, the Forum and of the need to strengthen
engaged in various activities, including multistakeholder cooperation to
a System Initiative Workshop in improve the state of the world.
October 2017 that brought together
four Forum System Initiatives (Digital
Economy and Society, Health and
Healthcare, Mobility, and Production).
Over 170 leaders from business,
government, civil society and
academia from Japan and around
the world discussed issues critical
to Japan as it builds a community to
advance multistakeholder cooperation
on achieving a sustainable, inclusive
and trusted digital future.
Within the Innovative City Forum 2017

organized by a Partner in October
2017, the Forum hosted a session
on Top 10 Urban Innovations based
on the report by the Global Agenda
Council on the Future of Cities. The
session highlighted the 10 best global
examples of how cities can create

Africa
The Forum’s work in Africa includes a focus on building peace and security,
increasing investment in inclusive opportunities and promoting digitalization
across the continent.
Many countries elected new heads of Africa’s ambitious transformation. Africa proposed to host the Centre
state, heralding an era of new political Also in June 2018, the Africa Regional for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
dispensation across the continent, Business Council held its annual Africa. Other workshops throughout
committed to rooting out corruption. meeting and pledged to drive high- the year dealt with the Sustainable
Accordingly, the theme of the Africa impact regional initiatives with a focus Development Investment Partnership,
agenda at the Annual Meeting 2018 on integration, industrialization and Financial Inclusion in East Africa and
in Davos-Klosters was Reimagining innovation over the coming year. Competitiveness in West Africa. The
Africa’s New Dawn. Nine heads of These initiatives will build on existing general assembly of the Tropical
state or government participated, frameworks for ongoing projects Forest Alliance 2020 and a SHAPE
including the new leadership in related to infrastructure and internet Africa event also took place.
Angola, Somalia and Zimbabwe. The connectivity.
Forum hosted a session on peace and
security in Africa, in the presence of Additionally, the Africa Regional
the incoming and outgoing chairmen Business Council launched an
of the African Union, which culminated initiative to create jobs by scaling
in the launch of a new peace-building 100 million small and medium-sized
platform. Additional outcomes enterprises across Africa over the
included the new Africa Infrastructure next five years. The Africa Regional
Fellowship Programme partnership Strategy Group also held its inaugural
and Foster Trust and Integrity in Africa meeting under the theme of Africa
initiative. 4.0: Shaping Africa’s Inclusive Growth
Agenda in the Fourth Industrial
As part of the National Strategy Revolution.
Series, in June 2018 the Forum
hosted an informal, interactive and Among the ongoing initiatives,
action-oriented roundtable with following the launch of Internet for All
the new President of South Africa – South Africa at the World Economic
and his cabinet, under the theme Forum on Africa in May 2017, the
Shaping South Africa’s Economic Internet for All initiative and the Fourth
Renewal – the role of Business. Industrial Revolution agenda were
President Ramaphosa issued a call adopted by the Southern African
for $100 billion in investment from the Development Community (SADC)
international business community over Ministers for Communication and
the next five years to restore inclusive Postal Services as part of the Digital
economic growth and create jobs, SADC 2027 vision.
with a focus on youth. This gathering
of the Forum’s business community The Forum also signed a
ahead of the government’s Investment memorandum of understanding
Conference provided an opportunity with Smart Africa to implement the
to partner with the president and his Internet for All initiative across Africa.
cabinet to shape the agenda for South In addition, the Government of South

Middle East and North Africa
The Forum is building partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa that are
focused on harnessing new digital opportunities and overcoming longstanding
fractures.
Uncertainty kept real GDP growth the two-state solution and pledged its Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chair
in 2017 at 1.7%, a rate insufficient support, together with leading global of the Regional Business Council,
to create the jobs needed to absorb technology companies, to strengthen convened the community with
the number of people looking for the Palestinian economy. The Annual disruptive start-ups and policy-makers
work yearly. At the same time, a Meeting 2018 also convened decision- in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
blossoming digital and technology makers from the Government of
scene accompanied by a renewed Saudi Arabia for a strategic dialogue At the Annual Meeting 2018, members
drive for reform offered prospects in with the international community of the Regional Business Council
some countries – most noticeably in on the Kingdom’s economic and discussed innovative approaches
Saudi Arabia with the deployment of social transformation, which has that are being tried and tested to
Saudi Vision 2030. the potential to rekindle region-wide harness the benefits of technological
growth and development. advancement in the Arab world.
In this pivotal context, some 70 public
figures from the Gulf Cooperation The past year marked the launch of Key outcomes of the Regional
Council countries, the Levant and partnerships to embrace the Fourth Business Council activities included
North Africa participated in the Annual Industrial Revolution. The Government the publication of The Digital Arab
Meeting 2018 in Davos-Klosters, of Saudi Arabia signed a Letter of World white paper, an initial step
demonstrating that this year’s Intent, which includes collaboration to a broader project to shape the
theme, Creating a Shared Future in a with the Centre for Cybersecurity and innovation and technology agenda,
Fractured World, could not have been the Centre for the Fourth Industrial and the Arab Supply Chain Impact
more relevant for the region. Leaders Revolution. The Government of Initiative, inviting businesses to commit
who participated included King Jordan partnered with the Forum to allocating 10% of their procurement
Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Internet for All project to develop new to start-ups by 2020.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of scalable and replicable on-the-ground
Israel, Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi models of public-private collaboration The Beirut and Tripoli Global Shaper
of Iraq and Prime Minister Saad Hariri that will accelerate internet access Hubs – a network of young people
of Lebanon. and adoption. The United Arab driving dialogue, action and change –
Emirates and Bahrain partnered with hosted the SHAPE MENA 2017 event
The regional programme highlighted the Centre for the Fourth Industrial in September 2017, held in Lebanon
the need for increased diplomacy to Revolution on the integrated national for the first time. Over three days, 70
overcome geostrategic fractures, and data policy and cross-border data Shapers from 37 Hubs worldwide
the role of technology as the region flows project areas, respectively. shared their knowledge in an
immerses itself in the digital era. immersive experience that built lasting
The future of Syria and geopolitical The activities of the Middle East and relationships and new collaboration
uncertainty in the larger Levant area North African Regional Business channels.
dominated discussions during the Council were held under the
Informal Gathering of World Economic overarching theme Digital Arab World,
Leaders (IGWEL) programme. The to help narrow the gap between the
Breaking the Impasse community aspirations of the Arab population and
of Israeli and Palestinian business the policy agenda required to realize
leaders renewed its commitment to them. In November 2017, Sheikha

Latin America
At a time of great change in Latin America, the Forum is spearheading initiatives to

address priorities around agriculture, infrastructure, trade and the Fourth Industrial
Revolution.
The 13th World Economic Forum energy framework and establishing A public-private partnership initiative
on Latin America took place in São the mechanisms needed to implement was launched to support Argentina’s
Paulo, Brazil at a decisive economic smart metering systems and the policies to address the digital divide
and political time for the region given integration of decentralized energy through the implementation of the
the intense electoral cycle, with resources. Internet for All project and the drafting
nine countries holding presidential of a policy strategy framework to
elections. The meeting convened Important public-private partnerships modernize national production
more than 750 regional and global for sustainable development were systems in Mexico.
leaders to discuss and advance an advanced, including to boost
actionable agenda under the theme agriculture value chains in Colombia Forum efforts towards fostering
Latin America at a Turning Point: through the New Vision for Agriculture equality were rewarded by the
Shaping the New Narrative. With the initiative, and reduce tropical consolidation of a successful Gender
support of the International Finance deforestation related to key global Parity initiative in Chile in collaboration
Corporation, 50 outstanding start-up commodities by 2020 with a focus on with the Inter-American Development
entrepreneurs from the region were Tropical Forest Alliance initiatives in Bank. To date, 110 companies have
convened, to enhance collaboration, Colombia and Brazil. committed to the initiative and to
visibility and further development. reducing the economic gender
The regional SHAPE event gathered The Forum helped to expand the gap. This initiative was expanded to
some of the most remarkable Latin Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, Argentina, Panama and Peru.
American Global Shaper community with significant progress made
members. on related initiatives in Argentina, As the economic, political and
Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican humanitarian situation in Venezuela
The Forum strengthened its Republic. Private- and public-sector deteriorated, constructive solutions
relationship with host country leaders were convened by the were sought to incorporate the
Brazil by signing a Memorandum of Regional Strategy Group to support diversity of views and proposals.
Collaboration setting the framework the dialogue for convergence between
for broader partnership, notably the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur.
in investment, industry, innovation
and competitiveness. The Forum Working to increase awareness of the
successfully implemented a Brazil potential of digital technologies and
Competitiveness and Inclusive of the challenges and opportunities of
Growth Lab and helped channel the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the
a multistakeholder dialogue to Forum introduced related issues in
improve the country’s infrastructure regional activities, and consolidated
investment environment. A similar a partnership with the Inter-American
project was launched in Argentina, Development Bank. Progress was
in partnership with the Inter- made on establishing a partnership
American Development Bank. In the with the Government of the State of
area of energy infrastructure, the Jalisco, Mexico, and Centre for the
Forum guided the development of Fourth Industrial Revolution Network
multistakeholder-platform work to Affiliates in Brazil and Mexico.
contribute to modernizing Colombia’s

China
As China consolidates its position as an economic and technological leader, the

Forum is deepening its role as a platform for global dialogue.
This year, the World Economic advanced manufacturing, start-ups At the same time, the country is
Forum’s work in China built on the and tech trailblazers – the meeting looking to new economy industries
positive momentum of President Xi explored China’s vision and solutions as the major drivers of growth. The
Jinping’s historic opening plenary for accelerating the country’s Forum is thus establishing the Centre
address at the Annual Meeting 2017 transformative potential for strategic for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
in Davos-Klosters, with the ever- industries in the region, its reform China to leverage its experience and
increasing recognition of the Forum’s trajectory and opportunities for capabilities in international public-
growing importance as a platform for collaboration between the public and private cooperation to engage China
China to engage with the world. This private sectors. further.
was reflected in the record number
of Chinese companies joining the In his address at the World Economic
Annual Meeting 2018, as well as in Forum Annual Meeting 2018, Liu He,
the number of companies from China who was subsequently promoted
choosing to Partner with the Forum to Vice-Premier, focused on further
on key industry and global initiatives. opening up China, with a notable
commitment to “further integrate with
Building on 12 years of mutual international trade rules and ease
trust and collaboration, the market access” and to “substantially
Forum’s partnership with the open up the services sector, and
National Development and Reform the financial sector in particular, and
Commission (NDRC) was elevated create a more attractive investment
to a new height with more in-depth environment”. He outlined China’s
cooperation on key issues. The three critical challenges: 1. to prevent
Forum expanded its collaboration and resolve major risks; 2. to conduct
with other ministries and institutes, targeted poverty reduction; and 3.
such as the State-owned Assets to control pollution, sharing with the
Supervision and Administration participants the specific measures
Commission (for the engagement that China is taking in each respect.
of state-owned enterprises) and the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences The geopolitical context related to
(to explore areas of joint research), China’s role internationally has grown
and deepened its association with more complex with, for example,
the China Council for International increased tensions pertaining to
Cooperation on Environment and trade with the USA, and potential
Development (on sustainability issues). disruptions emanating from China’s
In November 2017, the Forum desire to seek a greater leadership
hosted its annual China Business role in vast basic science projects
Roundtable under the theme of and key technologies like AI and
Accelerating Innovation in the blockchain.
Fourth Industrial Revolution. Hosted
in Shenzhen – the fusion hub of

North America
New milestones were reached in North America, including great progress in

developing the work of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in San
Francisco.
New milestones were reached last including Governor Brown of gaining traction for Canada’s Oceans
year in the Forum’s relationship with California, who took part in the Protection Plan and coordinating
the public sector in the United States Sustainable Development Impact global action to safeguard the ocean
and Canada. This engagement was Summit in September 2017 and ecosystem.
reflected in its events and in the Governor Inslee of Washington, who
thought leadership contributed to participated in the Annual Meeting Ties with the federal government
various industry and thematic issues. 2018. A working relationship with the expanded, with nine ministers serving
National Governors Association is also as Stewards across a range of topical
Institutionally, considerable effort yielding positive results though closer issues, allowing for deep engagement
was put into developing the work of cooperation and planning. between the government and various
the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Forum work streams. Mobility, blended
Revolution in San Francisco, by Engagement with the US House finance and health were just a few
hosting a steady stream of senior of Representatives deepened: of the areas where this collaboration
political leaders during visits to learn Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy led generated valuable outcomes.
about practical policy innovations a bipartisan delegation to the Annual
and protocols that help shape the Meeting and another delegation visited Canada showed great interest in
development and application of Fourth World Economic Forum headquarters the Forum’s work related to the
Industrial Revolution technologies. This in October to learn about the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the
included cabinet members, members expertise in the field of skills and government as well as leading cities
of the House of Representatives, workforce development. and provinces seeking to benefit from
governors, mayors and ambassadors, a closer association with the Forum
and other senior officials. As a result, Collaborative work with various on this topic. The stage is set for this
several formal partnerships were Forum industry teams continued to groundwork to be rewarding for a
signed or are in advanced stages of pay off, with special efforts in the diverse set of Forum constituents,
discussion. health and mobility sectors worthy of given how closely the Fourth Industrial
note, including the US Transportation Revolution agenda and the innovation
United States Secretary and USAID Administrator agenda of Canada are linked.
becoming Stewards of Forum
President Donald Trump participated initiatives.
in the Annual Meeting 2018, delivering
a message stating that “America Canada
first does not mean America alone”.
His presence was complemented Prime Minister Trudeau returned to the
by the participation of eight cabinet Annual Meeting in January 2018 and
members and five senior officials, who spoke of the importance of gender as
had extensive contacts with various a key tenet for successful economic
constituents over the course of their and societal development. As Chair
five-day stay. of the G7, his presence served to
highlight a number of Canadian
Also during the year, contact was priorities related to the G7 agenda, with
deepened with several governors, special emphasis on the importance of

International organizations
As the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the

Forum continues to strengthen its role as the world’s foremost platform for
multistakeholder engagement.
Building on its long-standing it garnered support to transform the

relationship with the United Nations humanitarian sector, exploring new
system and with peer international models to deploy capital in protracted
organizations (IOs), the Forum crises, and to better understand
intensified its engagement with the the potential of digital technologies
international community, particularly for humanitarian action. A working
on mobilizing partnerships and group was established in June
platforms to help deliver the SDGs. 2018 to define shared outcomes
This was reflected in the success of for the humanitarian system to
the first Sustainable Development responsibly leverage digital solutions
Impact Summit organized by the in humanitarian efforts.
Forum in New York in September
2017. Additionally, a record number of Finally, as a new track, the Forum
heads of IOs were welcomed to the significantly expanded its engagement
Annual Meeting, where they made with IOs on the Fourth Industrial
important contributions to discussions Revolution. In particular, it focused on
related to sustainable development, enhancing the understanding of the
climate change, migration, ocean Fourth Industrial Revolution within the
health and refugees, among other multilateral system, highlighting the
critical subjects. transformative impact that technology
has on IO operating environments.
Given the depth and breadth of these In addition to exploring joint projects
interactions, the Forum organized through the Centre for the Fourth
a series of consultation meetings Industrial Revolution in San Francisco,
for the IO community to integrate the Forum co-hosted a UN Leaders
its feedback in key Forum activities. Programme module on “The Fourth
It plans to continue structured Industrial Revolution and Systems
collaboration with a core group of Leadership”.
multilateral institutions throughout the
year.
On humanitarian issues, the Forum

catalysed deeper public-private
collaboration in two focus areas:
the Humanitarian Investing project
and the Digital Transformation of the
Humanitarian System. Through a
number of key events and activities,

Centre for Global Public Goods
By Dominic Waughray
Head of the Centre for Global Public Goods

The World Economic Forum Centre for A new cooperative architecture is Achievements from the past 12
Global Public Goods brings innovation required, calling for compelling, months include:
and frontier approaches to the agenda practical examples and proofs of
of international institutions, in particular concept of what such a future could Developing new platforms for public-
their processes and agreements look like and how it could urgently be private cooperation
related to implementing the 2015 developed.
UN Sustainable Development Goals – The Global Battery Alliance aims
(SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on For these reasons, the World to ensure that the exponential
climate change. The Centre aims to Economic Forum established the demand for batteries grows
improve management of the global Centre for Global Public Goods, via a socially responsible,
commons and build sustainable incorporating the Forum’s System environmentally friendly and
innovative value chain. Partners
markets to meet the 2030 SDGs. Initiatives on Shaping the Future of
and initiatives representing over
Environment and Natural Resource
30 leading organizations including
Global public goods refer to those Security and on Shaping the Future
businesses along the entire value
things that all humans need and of Food, as well as the Forum’s work chain connect on the Alliance’s
cannot be excluded from, such as on SDG partnerships and innovative global platform and drive efforts
a functioning global environmental and blended development finance. on actions and initiatives relevant
system, access to safe, nutritious The Centre draws on over 180 Forum to the supply of raw materials for
food, affordable energy, public health industry Partners engaged in various batteries, a circular economy for
and universal education, among dimensions of this work in addition batteries, and innovation along the
others. This requires developing to leading international institutions, value chain to achieve results.
our global commons and markets – civil society groups, academic and
including sustainable production and research institutions. – The Sustainable Development
consumption systems – to deliver Investment Partnership (SDIP)
accessible and long-term value for The Centre is also responsible for the is a growing platform of over 40
all, as enshrined by the nations of the Forum’s Sustainable Development organizations that is changing the
world in the SDGs. To help achieve Impact Summit, working in close nature of development finance
this aim, the 17th SDG calls for a new cooperation with the Forum’s Global by applying blended finance
global partnership agenda between the Programming group. approaches to manage, transfer or
public, private and civil society sectors. mitigate risk inherent or perceived
Creating a compelling, practical in emerging and developing
Our unprecedented era of higher, portfolio of solutions and suggestions economies. The Partnership
increasingly unequal, human for how our global public goods could is a key pillar in the over $50
consumption is putting pressure not be managed, the Centre focuses on billion blended finance industry,
exponentially increasing the pool of
only on industry and regional agendas, three major areas:
development finance by catalysing
but also on the international institutions
private investment. In 2017, SDIP
mandated to manage and deliver our – Developing new platforms to show
built regional hubs in Africa and
global public goods. As technological proof of concept for scaled public- ASEAN through local institutions
capacity grows, the realization of how private cooperation and enabled a project to reach
much better humanity could organize financial closure.
itself to deliver inclusive, sustainable – Helping international organizations
growth becomes more evident. adopt and scale some of these new – The Friends of Ocean Action
kinds of cooperative solutions (FOA) initiative was launched at
At this remarkable juncture in human the World Economic Forum Annual
history, it is increasingly clear that a – Curating strategic dialogues to help Meeting 2018 to help deliver
raft of pressing – and interconnected – shape aspects of the wider global practical action on SDG 14 on
global public good challenges must be public goods agenda the world’s oceans. Co-chaired
resolved. At the same time, we have by the UN Secretary-general’s
unprecedented means with which to Special Envoy for the Ocean and
collaborate across public, private and the Deputy Prime Minister of
civil society sectors on global solutions. Sweden, supported by the Benioff

Ocean Initiative and delivered group of leading global companies Helping international organizations
in collaboration with the World to commit to new measures on adopt and scale new kinds of
Resources Institute, this initiative reusing their capital equipment, cooperative solutions
assembled a multistakeholder advancing into additional materials
group of 46 senior leaders and areas such as textiles, bio- – The New Vision for Agriculture
influencers engaged in the Ocean materials and construction. The (NVA) established an important
agenda. In its first six months, Government of the Netherlands, network of public-private value-
it mobilized a broad network of together with several leading Dutch chain action platforms that are
action on ocean issues, identified circular economy innovators, being gradually incorporated into
seven key areas of global impact UN Environment and the Global the international architecture.
requiring additional public- Environment Facility is currently
private cooperatio and business exploring collaboration with PACE
Achievements this year include:
innovation, triggered a major to help secure its position with the
global plastic action partnership, international system.
–– The successful transition of
catalysed a broad public-private
effort to create an open access – The Tropical Forest Alliance Grow Africa from a World
“digital ocean” platform by bringing 2020 (TFA) is a public-private Economic Forum-led project to
together cutting-edge technology platform to help consumer a platform hosted and funded
companies with UN agencies goods companies advance their by the African Union’s NEPAD
responsible for ocean data, and commitments on deforestation in Agency
accelerated the delivery of new key soft commodity supply chains
global value-chain partnerships by enabling deeper collaboration –– The progression of Grow
to help ocean countries and with forested nations, donor Asia towards being a hosted
companies address illegal fishing governments, and civil society and platform that works across
worldwide. expert groups. As of June 2018, five ASEAN countries, with
the TFA platform brings together coordination linkages managed
– The Platform for Accelerating 145 organizations, a growth of through the ASEAN secretariat
the Circular Economy (PACE) 45% on the previous year. In June
Co-chaired by the Chief Executive 2018, the TFA platform renewed –– Commitment by the
Officer of the Global Environment its mandate for 2018-2021 with Government of India to launch
Facility, the Executive Director funding from the Governments of and build a new national
of UN Environment and the the Netherlands, Norway and the platform for agricultural
Chief Executive Officer of Royal United Kingdom. Moving into the innovation, involving an
Philips, PACE is designed to next phase of implementation, the agricultural drones initiative,
support and complement SDG Tropical Forest Alliance helped through initial collaboration with
12 on sustainable consumption its partners launch a Forest and
the Government of Maharashtra
and production. As a global Commodities Agenda – setting
and the Forum’s Centre for the
convening mechanism and impact out 10 clear strategic priorities
Fourth Industrial Revolution
project accelerator, the PACE for action by the end of 2020
platform now enables over 40 – and develop an increasingly Network
global leaders from business, decentralized network, with
government and the international devolved responsibility for regional –– A New Vision for Agriculture
community to co-design and implementation through public- secretariat to be launched in
advance their projects. In 2017- private action across numerous Colombia – a first example of
2018, PACE launched a major jurisdictional programmes. The a nationally owned and driven
Secondary Materials Market TFA also launched a national NVA platform
initiative with the support of the platform and national zero
Government of China and major deforestation sectoral agreement – The 2030 Water Resources
electronics companies, supported in palm oil in Colombia. Group (WRG) Governing Council
a network of African ministers to held its first meeting under the
launch the Africa Circular Economy new hosting arrangement within
Alliance focused on eliminating the World Bank Water Global
electronics waste and enabled a Practice. This cements 2030 WRG

– originally incubated within the a digital scaling agenda for East Shaping the Future of International
World Economic Forum as the Africa, improving traceability and Trade and Investment *
unique multi-donor partnership transparency in food value chains
vehicle through which the Water and exploring systems that can Turbulence in international trade and
Global Practice will engage deliver sustainable feedstock investment during the year highlighted
strategically with the private production. They seek to unlock the importance of the World Economic
sector on water resource issues. the transformative potential of Forum as a platform to convene
This advancement offers a good Fourth Industrial Revolution leaders and address trade risks and
example of how major players technologies to address food shocks. The Forum’s trade community
in international developments system challenges by connecting emphasized the need to protect yet
are beginning to incorporate innovators with food system
reform an open, rules-based system to
multistakeholder partnerships leaders, catalysing opportunities
empower markets and development.
and platforms of action into their for scaling technological
strategic operations. innovations for food systems
transformation and developing The community drove dialogue, insight
Curating strategic dialogues to help strategies for inclusive innovation. and outreach on the systemic factors
shape the wider global public goods underlying current trade tensions,
agenda – Further global dialogue took place including the race for technological
on the future of protein, given the leadership, trade balances and the
– With the World Business Council need to deliver safe, sustainable interaction between trade, inequality
for Sustainable Development and affordable meat and protein to and environmental sustainability. High-
and EAT Foundation, the System a world of close to 9 billion people, level interactions included partnering
Initiative on Shaping the Future of over 55% urbanized. Launched with Argentina for the first-ever
Food launched multistakeholder at the Annual Meeting 2018, business forum at a WTO Ministerial
dialogues to help the international leading research organizations, Conference.
community pursue a new companies, technology innovators
collaborative approach to food- and international organizations are Actionable policy protocols were
system transformation. It seeks involved in this dialogue. Ideas are developed to respond to trade and
to define a shared agenda, emerging for new public-private investment priorities. These included a
identify science-based targets arrangements to accelerate the suite of digital trade options produced
and share ideas on the policies future systems for protein delivery with the WTO as part of the Enabling
and incentives that can promote that the world will need. E-commerce initiative. Further policy
innovation and inclusivity. Such responses were outlined to incentivize
a public-private, global initiative – In climate change, the Alliance of inclusive global value chains through
is particularly pertinent to the CEO Climate Leaders grew to 83
reforms to taxation, competition,
future of food, as this is a global global companies. The alliance
services and investment facilitation,
public goods agenda that has no released a report on Two Degrees
and other government and industry
equivalent to the Intergovernmental of Transformation, highlighting the
Panel on Climate Change to CEOs' transformational actions priorities. Opportunities for technology-
generate scientific consensus, and to tackle climate change. The enabled trade disruption were
no equivalent to the UN Climate Friends of Climate Action, a key explored.
“COP” (Conference of the Parties) informal, multistakeholder platform
process to generate political for coordinating the public-private The Global Alliance for Trade
consensus and momentum for climate action agenda, helped to Facilitation, a multi-organization
change. curate over 100 organizations to collaboration, launched a border risk-
shape the Global Climate Action management system in Colombia, is
– The Building on the Innovation with Agenda, including the “Stepping building a trade bond mechanism in
a Purpose report launched at the Up Climate Action” campaign Viet Nam and is implementing growth-
Annual Meeting 2018 looked at the launched at the Annual Meeting oriented projects in six other emerging
potential for harnessing the Fourth 2018. economies.
Industrial Revolution within and
across global food systems. Three * This System Initiative sits within the
new work streams were initiated: Policy and Institutional Impact group.

Centre for the New Economy
and Society
By Saadia Zahidi
Head of the Centre for the New Economy and Society
42 Annual Report 2017-2018

How can humanity promote inclusive the future of work across sectors and contributing globally recognized
economic growth and universal society. Operationalizing the Forum’s insights and thought leadership in
social progress in an age in which platform concept, the Centre also the service of changing policy and
technological disruption is rapidly promotes greater synergies between mindsets. This included consistently
changing labour markets and the very the most impactful initiatives of its benchmarking national gender
nature of economic value creation? worldwide multistakeholder community, parity through The Global Gender
What is needed to ensure people are highlighting and supporting those with Gap Report 2017; supporting
equipped to fulfil their full potential in the greatest potential for generating the global community, national
this changing global economy? How systems change through an accelerator governments and companies
can global leaders develop a renewed approach. in strategic workforce planning
vision for shared prosperity and human through the development of the
progress in the new economic and To support its work, the Centre for next edition of The Future of Jobs
social context? the New Economy and Society also report; and highlighting new tools
seeks to gather consensus on the and ways of thinking about reskilling
Creating human-centric economic most relevant and impactful analytics and job transition opportunities
growth in the Fourth Industrial and metrics to empower stakeholders in disrupted industries through a
Revolution requires shaping a to understand and shape the new complementary set of innovative
new social contract between all economic and social context. It knowledge products: Towards a
stakeholders of society to deliver considers both innovative and Reskilling Revolution, proposing a
education that matches the needs of traditional methods of gaining insight methodology for identifying viable
the future, a workforce that is better into the global economy and society reskilling pathways, and Eight
prepared for shifts in labour markets, – covering the domain of “big data” Futures of Work: Scenarios and
and socio-economic structures that as well as opportunities to reinforce Their Implications, providing a guide
allow for gains, risks and opportunities existing and established sources of for thinking through what various
to be shared equitably. statistics and research. possible visions of the future of
work might look like and taking
The World Economic Forum Centre At the core of the Centre’s activities are anticipatory action.
for the New Economy and Society the System Initiative on Shaping the
aims to provide leaders with a platform Future of Education, Gender and Work – Launched a major new effort to
to build catalytic public-private and the System Initiative on Shaping address workforce disruptions and
partnerships and proactively shape the Future of Economic Progress. talent gaps in the Fourth Industrial
a future in which people are at the Revolution through the development
heart of economic growth and social The System Initiative on Shaping of Future of Work Industry
progress. To do this, the Centre brings the Future of Education, Gender Roadmaps, building on the System
together a forward-thinking community and Work aims to enable people, Initiative’s latest thought leadership
of committed leaders, equipping them regardless of gender, age and origin, to develop industry communities
with frameworks, insights and tools to to fulfil their potential by developing and outline recommendations and
promote productivity and innovation, and deploying their talent, thereby emerging best practice for intra-
foster social mobility and inclusion, contributing to more prosperous and inter-industry-level action to
adapt policies to the new economic economies and societies. It does prepare for the future of work.
context, understand and shape this by providing the latest insights to
markets for data, and redefine the inform and influence the global agenda – Scaled its country-level work
nature of competitiveness in the Fourth on social progress and by serving as significantly. It expanded its Gender
Industrial Revolution. It also furnishes a platform for sharing best practice, Parity Task Force model from Chile
leaders with the latest frameworks, building consensus and action. and Argentina to Peru, Panama and
insights and tools to understand France to close national gender
today’s and tomorrow’s labour markets, In 2017-2018, the System Initiative: gaps in employment, wages and
close skills gaps through education, leadership roles and its Closing the
reskilling and upskilling, close gender – Remained at the forefront of the Skills Gap Task Force model for
gaps through workforce integration and global debates on the future of addressing current skills gaps and
future-ready practices, and prepare for work, reskilling and gender parity, reshaping education and training

for the future from South Africa to and track their performance on the debate forward and sharing
three additional G20 economies: the fundamental factors driving knowledge widely through executive
Argentina, Australia and India. Both economic progress; the Inclusive briefings, white papers and social
models are now also supported Development Index 2018 which media.
by comprehensive implementation tracks countries’ progress on
guides (“playbooks”) to inform growth and development, inclusion
stakeholders of key priorities, tools, and intergenerational equity.
resources and processes for action
with regard to skills and gender – Launched major new initiatives to
parity, in order to scale rapidly to support businesses in contributing
additional geographies through the towards inclusive growth, such as
Forum platform. the Global Battery Alliance, as well
as innovative tools for measuring
– Catalysed multistakeholder action and benchmarking environmental,
through Closing the Skills Gap social and governance performance
Business Commitments, mobilizing through the System Initiative’s
businesses to equip 8 million new GrowInclusive platform,
individuals for future jobs through guiding companies and public-
skilling, reskilling and upskilling sector leaders in shifting the global
efforts (with an aim of reaching economic paradigm.
10 million beneficiaries by 2020).
Building on the lessons from this – Catalysed multistakeholder action
successful coalition, the System to improve economic policy-
Initiative will provide a platform making in emerging economies
for further business-led efforts on by hosting inclusive growth and
gender parity in the future of work competitiveness workshops in
as well as LGBTI inclusion. Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa,
Thailand and Viet Nam, engaging
The System Initiative on Shaping the major national and regional
Future of Economic Progress aims to stakeholders in developing action
reshape the global economic agenda plans and policy prioritization tools
to drive productivity, innovation and for their countries and regions.
growth while benefitting all of society.
It does this by identifying the latest – Initiated an ambitious Global
insights on new solutions, promoting Dialogue on the Future of Economic
economic growth models that deliver Progress that seeks to consolidate
inclusive and sustained economic the latest cutting-edge thinking
progress, and serving as a platform on economic frontier issues such
for sharing best practice, building as pricing data and intangibles in
consensus and action. the digital economy, exploring the
economic implications of platform
In 2017-2018, the System Initiative: and blockchain business models,
economic leapfrogging and new
– Contributed to shaping the forms of fiscal interventions and
global debate on the future of social protection in the Fourth
economic progress by providing Industrial Revolution. Moving ahead,
world-leading insights through the Dialogue Series will span a
The Global Competitiveness range of frontier issues for both the
Report 2017, helping decision- new economy and society, with a
makers to understand, monitor view to building consensus, moving

Strengthening
Public-Private Cooperation

Centre for the Fourth Industrial
Revolution and Its Global Network
By Murat Sönmez
Managing Director,
Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network
The World Economic Forum Centre Preparations continued to create a demonstrates how such technologies
for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in global World Economic Forum Centre can be governed in an agile, human-
San Francisco completed its first full for the Fourth Industrial Revolution centred manner.
year of operation, focusing on shaping Network, with San Francisco operating
the governance protocols for Fourth as the core and with additional Centres
Industrial Revolution technologies in Japan, operational in July 2018,
through an agile and global co-design and in India and China, planned for
and piloting effort involving leading the second half of 2018. The work
businesses, governments, international progressed in close collaboration with
organizations, academia and civil national governments and leading
society. companies. These new Centres will
provide a powerful global network
At the end of June 2018, over 40 effect by channelling lessons learned
full-time experts consisting of Forum from rapidly developing, ageing
employees and Fellows from partnering and emerging economies, further
governments, businesses and accelerating the Centre for the Fourth
academic institutions in eight project Industrial Revolution Network’s positive
areas collaborated with more than impact to citizens and society.
60 global companies and start-ups
and 10 governments to ensure that Due to strong demand from additional
the benefits of emerging technologies governments, the Network seeks to
to the citizens and society are rapidly achieve global scope and scale
accelerated and the negative impacts by establishing Affiliate Centres around
are minimized. The Government of the globe, allowing an existing public
Rwanda became the first country to institution to host a local Centre for the
adopt performance-based national Fourth Industrial Revolution in strong
drone regulation as a result of the partnership with government, business,
Forum’s collaborative efforts, paving academia and civil society. The launch
the way for a wide range of socially of eight Affiliate Centres is envisioned.
beneficial use cases, including the
secure and safe delivery of medical In effect, the Centre for the Fourth
supplies to remote clinics. Centre Industrial Revolution Network will
for the Fourth Industrial Revolution establish a new operating system for
thought leadership pieces were well international technology governance
received, including Blockchain Beyond and cooperation in the Fourth Industrial
the Hype: A Practical Framework for Revolution by creating an ongoing
Business Leaders, Agile Governance: dialogue and working dynamic among
Reimagining Policy-Making in the government, corporate, scientific/
Fourth Industrial Revolution and academic and civil society stakeholders
Artificial Intelligence Collides with worldwide, as well as a growing
Patent Law. body of practical experience that

Projects
In the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, projects cover the
following areas of technological innovation:
1. Artificial Intelligence and day-to-day life and even become 4. Autonomous and Urban Mobility
Machine Learning embedded in the human body, new
policy frameworks and governance As global urbanization grows,
The influence of artificial intelligence protocols are needed to address public- and private-sector leaders
can already be seen in homes and questions of security, data ownership, must launch new mobility solutions
across businesses, and is already accuracy and privacy. Project areas to address people’s needs, while
affecting political processes. In its include prioritizing security during minimizing increasingly complex
embodied form of robots, it will soon the IoT design process, bolstering social, economic and environmental
be driving cars, stocking warehouses public privacy protections, advancing challenges. Autonomous vehicles
and caring for the young and transparency and openness, and have the potential to improve road
elderly. Rapid advances in machine mobilizing market forces for equality. safety, decrease pollution levels,
learning hold the promise of solving reduce congestion and increase traffic
some of the most pressing issues 3. Blockchain and Distributed efficiency. However, this transition
facing society, but they also present Ledger Technology involves a disruptive industry shift
challenges such as inscrutable “black bound to reshape public and private
box” algorithms, unethical use of Blockchain, a relatively nascent transportation.
data and potential job displacement. technology that enables the
As advances in machine learning decentralized and secure storage Collaboration across industries and
increase the scope and scale of and transfer of information, has sectors is needed to jointly identify the
AI’s deployment, multistakeholder already proven itself to be a powerful best strategies for accelerating the
collaboration is required to optimize tracking and transaction tool. It can adoption of autonomous mobility in a
accountability, transparency, privacy minimize friction, reduce corruption, safe, clean and inclusive manner. This
and impartiality to create trust. Project increase trust and empower users. project provides a platform for city
areas include decision-making tools Revolutionary use cases are being and business leaders to work together
for corporate boards, protocols for explored in almost every sector, to understand and pilot autonomous
government use of AI and standards ranging from finance to energy to and shared vehicle fleets – generating
for AI targeted at children. shipping and media. The challenge key insights, policy frameworks and
is to unlock this potential in a way governance protocols that can be
2. Internet of Things and that ensures inclusion, safety, scaled globally to transform urban
Connected Devices interoperability and scale. This mobility. Project areas include scaling
project will work to advance the insights from the City of Boston pilot
There are more connected devices principles of good governance to project, developing citywide mobility
in the world today than humans. By support the infrastructure underlying, and data management platforms,
2020, the number of these devices is and the applications built on, launching the New Mobility Coalition
projected to exceed 20 billion, fuelled distributed ledger technology. Project and building CityWeb, a knowledge
by continued technological advances areas include digital identify and platform for city transportation officials
and the plummeting costs of certification, supply chain integration, and leading executives.
computing, storage and connectivity. smart contracts, and currency and
As the internet of things continues monetary systems.
to spread across all aspects of

5. Drones and Tomorrow’s medicine approach into clinical 8. Fourth Industrial Revolution
Airspace practice, exploring new approaches to for the Earth
regulation, pricing and reimbursement
Unmanned aircraft systems, for diagnostics and treatment, The well-being of human societies
commonly known as drones, are and expanding patient and public is intertwined with the environment.
democratizing the sky. Each day, engagement. Natural resources fuel the growth of
participants in the drone ecosystem industries and economies, and the
are discovering new uses for this 7. Digital Trade and Cross-Border environment influences issues as
transformative technology – from Data Flows diverse as health, natural disaster
delivering packages and lifesaving response and recovery, and food and
medicines to photographing the Global e-commerce generated trillions energy security. Increasingly urgent
world. Scaling up the use of airspace of dollars in economic activity in 2017 global environmental challenges –
to enable millions of craft to fly and is growing exponentially. The free such as climate change, the loss of
safely will require smart government flow of data is essential to this growth biodiversity and ocean health – also
regulation and industry-driven and to scaling the societal benefits of need fresh solutions. This project
standards for airspace management, the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These aims to build and test governance
physical infrastructure and privacy and benefits range from providing small frameworks to realize the benefits
data ownership policies. Project areas businesses everywhere with access of technology for the environment
include new paradigms for drone to the global marketplace to making and society, including understanding
regulation, drone delivery for remote possible remote medical diagnosis the environmental impact of new
populations, policies for drone-derived and treatment in underserved technologies while mitigating harm
data, revised aircraft certification and communities. However, trade policy arising from their deployment. Project
protocols for medical delivery. must evolve to empower new forms areas include employing blockchain
of digital commerce and cross- technology for scaling renewable
6. Precision Medicine border data flows, addressing such energy, exploiting environmental data
challenges as outdated regulations, for resilient communities and meeting
Precision medicine offers the fragmented governance and strict the global demand for protein.
opportunity to harness emerging data localization policies. Projects
technologies to tailor disease areas include developing a regulatory
diagnosis and treatment to a specific toolkit for e-payments, new policies
person or population, improving for enabling e-commerce and a risk-
outcomes and potentially lowering based approach to data transfers,
costs. This project aims to support leveraging new technology to enhance
the building and testing of policy data protection, future-proofing data
frameworks to realize the benefits policies and accelerating innovation in
of precision medicine for society, trade technology.
while reducing risks. Project areas
include generating evidence of
precision medicine’s effectiveness,
promoting data-sharing and related
infrastructure, integrating a precision

Other activities of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial
Revolution Network
Global Fourth Industrial Revolution Fourth Industrial Revolution policies Fellows ensure that leading academic
Councils and protocols research is also represented in
the Centre for the Fourth Industrial
In addition to supporting practical Portfolio of Global Fourth Industrial Revolution Network portfolio of
policy innovation by governments and Revolution Councils: projects.
industries through its project activity,
the Centre for the Fourth Industrial – Global Artificial Intelligence Council Five such fellowships were launched
Revolution Network provides a global under the André Hoffmann Fellowship
platform to share experience, identify – Global Autonomous Vehicle Council programme, allowing researchers in
best practice and potentially align the areas of oceans and precision
policy approaches among them – Global Blockchain Council medicine to engage with the Centre
through its Global Fourth Industrial for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Revolution Councils. – Global Drone Council through a five-year programme in
collaboration with Stanford University.
The Global Fourth Industrial – Global Internet of Things Council
Revolution Councils aim to: The capacity for the participation of 10
– Global Precision Medicine Council fellows will be created in the second
– Identify governance gaps in public year of the programme. Discussions
policy or private practice that would These Global Councils will be formed with leading academic institutions
benefit from multistakeholder in the second half of 2018 and will are under way to propose additional
development of policy frameworks initiate their activities at the World Centre for the Fourth Industrial
or governance protocols Economic Forum Annual Meeting Revolution post-doctoral research
2019. fellowships.
– Create a structured, informal
process among leading policy- Centre for the Fourth Industrial
makers, practitioners and experts Revolution Academic Fellows
to share information, experience
and lessons from innovative policy Centre for the Fourth Industrial
and governance experiments Revolution Academic Fellows are
around the world, shaping the post-doctoral researchers who are
trajectory of emerging technologies conducting leading academic work
in projects related to the Fourth
– Provide strategic guidance to the Industrial Revolution.
Centre’s projects and feedback on
the specific policy frameworks and Through a two-year programme, the
governance protocols it produces first year at the Centre for the Fourth
Industrial Revolution in San Francisco
– Serve as early adopters and and the second on campus at a
ambassadors to test, refine and leading university, the Centre for the
improve the interoperability of Fourth Industrial Revolution Academic

Centre for Cybersecurity
By Troels Oerting Jorgensen

Head of the Centre for Cybersecurity
The World Economic Forum partners, encompassing businesses, defence of the global engines of
established the Centre for governments, international innovation, prosperity and growth,
Cybersecurity this year to recognize organizations, academia and civil and to support the resilience of the
the centrality of security and resilience society, to shape the future of institutions upon which economies
in ensuring the sustainability of cybersecurity. It further acts as a and society rely.
the institutions that support our platform to enhance members’
governments and businesses. The security while enabling global While digital connectivity plays a
Centre mobilizes the capabilities cybersecurity and resilience. Its pivotal role in enabling innovation
of a wide-ranging network of mission is to lead a coordinated and prosperity across the world,

increasing cyberthreats present and knowledge both in business and build the future cybersecurity
a major roadblock in the path to in government institutions is a key workforce to meet human capital
progress. Cybercriminals take dimension underpinning the Centre’s needs
advantage of this borderless playing work.
field and the lack of trust among The Centre is governed by the
nation states, corporations and global To achieve these goals and foster foremost cybersecurity experts.
law enforcement to build their criminal trust and cooperation globally, the They provide advice, guidance
enterprises and launch attacks against Centre builds partnerships with public and validation throughout the
their targets with limited risk and and private actors to act as a force- Centre’s work to shape the future of
retribution. multiplier to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity:
knowledge and tools and implement
Current efforts to contain cybercrime, training and education globally. To – Global Cybersecurity Board:
while essential, remain insufficient, facilitate this work, the Centre has comprised of the foremost leaders
and the global impact of cyberthreats developed the following work streams of companies and government
continues to grow. Without efficient to generate projects, partnerships, bodies, this group helps shape the
and standardized cybersecurity information sharing and tools to agenda of the Centre itself.
designs for safer products and support action on cybersecurity and
services, consumers and corporations resilience: – Global Cybersecurity Expert
depend on solutions that do not Committee: comprised of top
ensure the safety of our shared – Foster global governance: support experts in cybersecurity and
digital networks. Additionally, the governance at the enterprise, emerging technologies, this
dependence on cyberspace requires regional and international levels, group oversees work towards the
developing strong and systemic cyber including developing effective Centre’s three goals and validates
hygiene, practices and culture, as well risk management practices, its efforts.
as policies and norms that support and working with partners and
security and resilience. governments to shape effective – Global Cyber Security Rapid
cyber-regulations and policy Reaction Task Force: comprised
The global threat of cyberattacks of a worldwide network of
requires a powerful global response. – Stimulate efforts to reduce specialists crossing technologies
This response is aimed at three cybercrime: organize and convene and geographies, this group leads
overarching goals: efforts to restrain cybercrime a global response to systemically
organizations through enforcement important cyber incidents.
1. Reduce the global attack surface and restricting access to “easy
by creating global security money” The Forum will gather the foremost
standards, policies and practices, cybersecurity experts from the private
and promoting and implementing – Facilitate global cyber crisis and public sectors and civil society
security by design management: increase our every year at the Annual Meeting of
partners’ internal readiness and the Centre for Cybersecurity.
2. Contain current and future build up global capacities to handle
cyberattacks globally by boosting global cyber crises
cooperation and information
sharing – Anticipate future threats and risks:
project future cyber-risks and
3. Deter cybercrime by increasing work with partners to address
the risk of participating in and respond to these risks at the
illegal activities through greater global, industry and organizational
collaboration between public and levels
private partners
– Develop a global cybersecurity
Since these goals require skilled workforce: connect partners and
expertise, building human capital relevant stakeholders to actively

Our Core Functions

Our Multistakeholder Communities
The World Economic Forum community of communities provides a powerful

foundation for building multistakeholder engagement around complex issues.

Civil Society content on the well-being of native set of best practices developed by
businesses, government and citizens. the Forum for chairs and boards to
Civil society is critical in framing Civil society has historically been a ensure cyber-resilience, as well as the
and advancing public good. Its dedicated and committed problem- outcomes of a real-time cyberattack
involvement in multistakeholder solver, but it, too, needs to adapt to simulation that was designed
efforts is crucial to ensuring the reality of rapidly changing and especially for them. This helped to put
accountability, garnering public interconnected challenges posed by the theory into practice.
trust and promoting inclusive digital and emerging technologies.
processes. The World Economic The sector must also participate in Community of Philanthropic
Forum’s integration of civil society the governance of these technologies Organizations
communities in all its activities as it continues its work. The Forum
reflects its commitment to human- thus facilitated a gathering of NGOs, Launched in 2013 to recognize
centred, positive social change to trade unions, religious leaders the influence and expertise of
strengthen the effectiveness and and private-sector executives on foundations, the Community of
coherence of global governance. advancing non-profit impact, practice Philanthropic Organizations comprises
Non-governmental organizations, and responsibility in the Fourth prominent actors in the philanthropic
faith-based institutions, labour Industrial Revolution. arena. Community members and
unions and new kinds of mission- partner foundations bring their
driven organizations are valuable Community of Chairmen expertise to Forum System Initiatives,
facilitators, advocates and projects and strategic dialogues,
innovators. Often serving vulnerable This year, the Community of interfacing with business, government,
populations, they help assess the Chairmen focused on the dynamic multilateral institutions, academia,
impact of accelerating technological geopolitical environment that youth and civil society to enhance
development on accountability, is driving boards and chairs to their philanthropic impact and
fairness and other societal values. transform their businesses more influence global conversations.
radically and rapidly than ever
The Forum initiative, Preparing Civil before. At the same time, balancing In 2017-2018, Community members
Society for the Fourth Industrial the short- and long-term interests and partners affirmed their intention
Revolution, acts as a mechanism of the company, its stakeholders to convene on a regular basis for
to accelerate impact, practice and and society at large is the modern closer collaboration, in particular to
responsibility among civil society and dilemma of boards and an area they accelerate progress on the 2030
social good organizations responding continued to explore. Agenda for Sustainable Development.
to digital and emerging technologies.
Throughout 2017-2018, civil society At the Community of Chairmen Cultural Leaders
leaders continued to articulate Annual Retreat on 20-22 April 2018,
the perspectives of citizens and the Community’s flagship event, Cultural Leaders leverage the Forum’s
communities during Forum activities. and at the World Economic Forum platform to help create cultural
Their deep engagement and support Annual Meeting 2018, discussions on change around the big issues of
remained essential to ensuring the implications of the technological our time. Artists in all disciplines,
that the Forum’s multistakeholder revolution on business and society historians, educators, indigenous
activities and initiatives achieve took place with experts from the leaders, sports leaders and cultural
tangible and positive outcomes. In field. They explored the technologies institutions collaborate with the
particular, civil society organizations that will revolutionize business and Forum to forge new alliances across
spearheaded new initiatives, society in the future – blockchain and sectors, speak truth to power and
including the United for News AI, among others. With the increased create inclusive narratives that
coalition. It aims to support existing risk of cyberattacks, cybersecurity is change hearts and minds. With the
and new local independent news also a critical subject for boards and Forum, they co-develop debates
and information organizations, foster chairs. During their discussions over on key cultural issues, ranging from
the economically viable creation and the year, the Community of Chairmen identity politics to values in the Fourth
distribution of quality content, and brought this important topic to the Industrial Revolution, to breaking
increase the positive impact of this next level, and took into account the taboos and bias on gender, race

and disability; they co-create and This year the Community focused engaged with leaders of the
present world-class performances on challenges linked to agility, investment industry and reviewed
that foster community-building, responsibility and family at its Annual a framework and methodology
as well as topical installations and Retreat, at the San Francisco Next to sustain long-term thinking and
exhibitions that spark awe and Generation Meeting, at the Family measure success, elaborated by
new ideas; and they co-produce Business Community London a working group of International
socially-engaged projects that have Meeting, at a Harvard Kennedy Business Council members seeking
a direct influence on people’s lives, School programme on Impact to reduce the frequency of reporting
such as the extremely successful Investing for the Next Generation but increase transparency.
first international tour of the Afghan with Social Entrepreneurs from
Women’s Orchestra in 2016, whose the Schwab Foundation for Social For the first time, members of the
impact endures. Entrepreneurship and at Community International Business Council, the
events. Community of Chairmen and the
In 2017-2018, the Cultural Leaders Family Business Community met for
continued their integration into the International Business a Chairperson, CEO and Owner(s)
Forum’s governance structures, Council Conversation. There is no correct way
adding their specific ways of to divide responsibility between the
perceiving the world and challenging The Fourth Industrial Revolution was three (the chairperson, chief executive
conventional wisdom to governing the key focus of the International officer and business owner), but the
boards across the organization. Business Council over the past long-term success of a company
Notably this year, the American year, whose objective was to effect and its benefit to society depend on
rapper will.i.am joined the Advisory systemic change to proactively the confidence these leaders have in
Board of the Centre for the Fourth manage the transformation of one another, their strategic alignment
Industrial Revolution in San business around the globe. This and common understanding of a
Francisco. holistic approach required thought company’s culture, marketplace
leadership from a range of actors, as and development in the broader
Family Business Community well as resources, multistakeholder landscape.
collaboration and interactions,
The World Economic Forum Family facilitated by the exchange of best Society and Innovation
Business Community is a select practices.
group of leading family business Over the past year, reflecting on
owners, united in their commitment As organizations’ obligation to build the effects of the Fourth Industrial
to create long-term economic and cyber-resilience increases, Council Revolution, the Forum continued to
social value. It offers members a members discussed opportunities help stakeholders navigate between
trusted space for dialogue and to collaborate with key policy new technologies, economic progress
cooperation, helping them to agencies to promote public-private and social impact at the national
understand the global forces that cooperation, share information and and global levels. The Forum’s
are driving change as they strive to exchange best practices, as well ongoing intellectual leadership in this
enhance the competitiveness of their as manage crises. The members area – launched by Klaus Schwab’s
family company in times of internal welcomed the Forum’s leadership 2016 book, The Fourth Industrial
and external disruption, and to and the Centre for Cybersecurity’s Revolution, and extended with the
prepare the next generation to lead in efforts to address cyber knowledge, 2018 publication of Shaping the
a constantly evolving global context. create new cyber-risk governance Fourth Industrial Revolution – is
tools for executives, and expand catalysing a wealth of collaboration
The Family Business Community information sharing between the among social, government and
also involves a group of particularly public and private sectors on industry leaders on disruptive
dynamic next generation game- cybersecurity policy issues. business models, novel research
changers who are committed to and new forms of technological
leading innovative activities that add Balancing short- and long-term governance.
value to their family businesses and pressures remains an important
to society. dilemma facing CEOs. The Council

In support of these efforts, the Technology Pioneers come from all of complexities while responsibly
Forum’s Society and Innovation over the world, including Bangladesh, embracing the Fourth Industrial
team, working with the Centre for Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya Revolution and the application of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Morocco, as well as Australia, systems leadership to ensure long-
Network, developed a range Canada, France, Germany, Israel, term success.
of analytical frameworks and New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland,
practical approaches for leaders the United Kingdom and the USA. Young Scientists
interested in designing, deploying Their diversity is apparent in the
or governing truly human-centred following additional examples: The Young Scientists community
emerging technologies. In 2017, Bangladesh-based ME SOLshare, brings together 50 of the world’s
the Forum launched a series of which democratizes energy by rising stars in science and
cross-cutting, strategic dialogues developing peer-to-peer microgrids; engineering. They are selected from
and research efforts on four key Kenyan-based CarePay, which is all regions of the world and a wide
topics: civil society preparedness, developing an inclusive platform for range of disciplines, and have a track
agile governance, technology and health financing and delivery in Africa; record of advancing the frontiers of
development, and values and ethics. Brazilian-based Agrosmart, which knowledge in areas of high societal
By treating technology as an integral makes agronomic models based on impact. In their work, they exhibit
component of our social framework genetics, soil type and microclimate exceptional creativity, thought
and as representative of a diverse data; Precognize (Israel), which is leadership and high potential.
set of human values, the Forum developing predictive maintenance Aged under 40, these individuals
is committing to helping leaders software for the process industry; demonstrate their commitment to
take a systemic, nuanced and agile and BenevolentAI (United Kingdom), improving the state of the world by
approach to grasping the benefits which is developing and applying AI promoting evidence-based decision-
and averting the risks associated with for scientific innovation. making and scientific literacy among
the Fourth Industrial Revolution. leaders from government, business
The leadership of the 2018 and civil society at their yearly
Technology Pioneers Technology Pioneers is gender gathering at the Annual Meeting of
diverse, with 25% of companies the New Champions. The community
The Technology Pioneers are a global co-founded by women. Examples represents more than 19 nationalities
community of trailblazing companies include Viola Llewellyn, Co-Founder drawn from all continents, with full
developing new technologies and President of Ovamba Solutions, gender parity.
and innovations. They inform and who built a $500 million life insurance
influence decision-making through investment fund before co-founding In 2018, following extensive
the contribution of new ideas and Ovamba; Diana Paredes, Chief consultations with researchers
perspectives that address long-term Executive Officer and Co-Founder of and ethicists, the Young Scientists
global concerns. They come from Suade Labs, who had a successful launched a universal Code of Ethics
a wide range of sectors, including career in investment banking before for researchers. It serves as a tool to
cybersecurity, entertainment, energy applying her expertise to financial nurture a positive change of culture
and environment, health, mobility and regulation as a service; and Elizabeth in the research world by not only
production. Rossiello, Chief Executive Officer guiding and shaping the behaviour
and Founder of BitPesa, who is an of individuals but also the processes
In June 2018, 61 new Technology advocate of blockchain technology of the scientific institutions that
Pioneers were selected to join in emerging markets and financial are to facilitate this cultural shift.
the community. A few examples innovation across frontier markets. Supported by Nature journal and
include Apeel Sciences (USA), which many researchers around the world,
develops plant-derived technologies At the Forum Members and this project will continue to adapt to a
to reduce food waste; Pymetrics Technology Pioneers CEO Workshop constantly evolving research reality.
(USA), which matches talent to on 20-22 March in San Francisco, the
opportunity using neuroscience communities and experts debated
games and AI; and Horizon State the recent dramatic changes in the
(Australia), which enables efficient global context, the management
and secure vote casting.
Business Engagement
By Olivier Schwab
Managing Director,
Head of Business Engagement

The World Economic Forum builds to develop governance principles become the leading business voice
deep, involved relationships with the and protocols for Fourth Industrial on anti-corruption. Over 90 of the
world’s most important companies Revolution technologies. The Forum world’s most influential CEOs signed
and strives to maximize their continues to actively attract Partners the PACI principles, which include
engagement through the Forum’s to the Centre and its global Network, championing zero tolerance of
diverse communities and initiatives. which functions as a pillar for Forum corruption across their organizations
Over the past year, the Forum’s engagement beyond the Annual and supply chains, and which act
Partners community grew by 6%, Meeting in Davos-Klosters and other as a stimulus to join collective action
bringing the total of highly engaged, major events. initiatives that increase public trust
leading companies to over 670. in business, deliver fair markets and
Regional diversity continued to be a With this additional pillar, the Forum level the playing field.
priority, with approximately one-third is now able to offer Partners more
of Partners headquartered in Europe, flexible and customized engagement
one-third in North America and one- opportunities, tailored to their needs.
third in other parts of the world. The
Asian and particularly the Chinese In parallel, the Forum continued
Partner segment grew rapidly due to develop a programme for
to sustained engagement with the medium-sized, high-growth
leading emerging champions. companies and regional leaders:
Forum Members. They convened
Forum Partners continued to engage primarily at the Annual Meeting of
through the 14 System Initiatives, the the New Champions in China and
industry communities, particularly at regional gatherings. At these
through the governors peer groups, meetings and throughout the year,
as well as through the regional work. dedicated workshops on technology
As part of the Vision 2020 strategy and innovation were developed to
to more effectively involve the most understand how these emerging
relevant business community, the leaders transform industries and the
engagement model was revised, business ecosystem in their country
and the System Initiatives and or region.
industries were brought under the
umbrella of the Forum’s relevant In addition, Business Engagement
Centre, opening up the opportunity comprises two unique business-
for potential Partners to engage in a led communities that particularly
more focused manner. Henceforth, represent the spirit of the Forum.
companies will be able to engage in The first is the Family Business
project-specific work related to their Community, which consists of the
area of interest, for example on the owners and operators of some
circular economy in the Centre for of the world’s leading family-run
Global Public Goods. businesses. In its fifth year of
existence, the community focused on
At the forefront of new partner how family companies respond to the
development is the Centre for the world’s challenges, with particular
Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, emphasis on integrating the next
launched in the Spring of 2017 in generation of business owners and
San Francisco, USA. In the year preparing them for leadership in a
since its creation, it has attracted fractured world.
over 60 Centre Partners and Centre
Members. Together with government The second is the Partnering
partners, Centre Partners work Against Corruption Initiative (PACI).
Over the past 14 years, PACI has

Public Engagement
By Adrian Monck
Managing Director,
Head of Public and Social Engagement
The World Economic Forum’s that reach a mass audience through mentioned more often in broadcast
public engagement ensures that intelligent, volume publishing and and print media, and has a larger
the organization’s activities are social media operations. The Forum’s digital and social media footprint than
transparent and strengthen its digital publishing activities on the any other international organization.
legitimacy by involving the public at web and social media are designed
large in its discussions. Our digital to attract a global audience by This year saw numerous
media channels and the power providing an in-depth yet accessible achievements across our public
of our broadcast and print media flow of content offering insight into engagement operations. Within a
relations provide our community and topics and challenges that occupy year of its opening, the Centre for
the global public with an unrivalled leaders’ attention. These ideas and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in
platform for the amplification and insights provide a rich source of San Francisco was established as a
debate of serious global issues. stories and content for the global go-to place of expertise and media
media, and our Members and commentary on issues ranging
The public engagement strategy constituents benefit from a world- from drones to AI to blockchain.
has two interdependent pillars: to class team of digital communications An early focus on media outreach
build world-class relationships and and public relations professionals secured its status as a recognized
maintain continuous contact with the working to amplify their messages. platform for regulatory, ethical and
most relevant broadcast and print economic questions on the tidal
journalists worldwide, and to build The results of this strategy are wave of change being ushered in
globally competitive content channels clear: the World Economic Forum is by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Centre for Cybersecurity also impressive growth across both In 2017-2018, the World Economic
began its work with a strong footprint social media and website audiences, Forum publicly published 28 reports
in trade and business media to with particular success in reaching and 53 white papers on topics
support reaching out to new partners younger people in emerging relevant to our 14 System Initiatives,
in the private and public sectors. economies. The Forum accrued 21 industry communities, and the
New, publicized collaborations with more than 1 billion views of its regional transformations the Forum
leading academic institutions and Facebook videos in the year to 30 is working to shape. In addition,
law enforcement agencies further June. Video content is now being Forum communities generated
strengthened the profile of the new created for the LinkedIn network, hundreds of privately published
Centre. The build-up of strong where the Forum’s presence is papers and reports designed to
relations with cyber- and infosec- growing rapidly (topping 500,000 at shape interactions and accelerate
media will help to firmly place the the end of the financial year) as it is outcomes. Through its Agenda blog
Forum in the cybersecurity space. on Twitter and Instagram. platform, the Forum published nearly
4,500 articles last year, contributed
A media campaign to support the The Forum introduced live by Forum constituents as well as
reorientation of the Forum presence captioning on session video streams reposted from a network of around
in Japan, followed closely by the at the World Economic Forum 170 third-party content partners.
launch of the Centre for the Fourth Annual Meeting 2018, and the In addition, the Forum’s globally
Industrial Revolution Japan, helped #sharedfutures campaign broke new acknowledged indexing reports
the Forum to enhance its coverage in ground in connecting global citizens generated high public recognition.
the world’s third largest economy. to Annual Meeting participants via The Global Gender Gap Report
Instagram video question-and- 2017 was downloaded 115,000
Institutionally, the Forum’s Public answer exchanges. Over 5% of times from the Forum’s website and
Engagement team nudged the participants directly answered a was mentioned some 12,000 times
international media to promote question from a member of the global in the global press, bringing the
diversity by proactively supporting public. As one of the largest non- Forum over $63.1 million in publicity
and requesting female voices sporting media events in the world, value of the publication. The Global
for panels, moderation and roles this year’s Annual Meeting was a Competitiveness Report 2017-2018
at Forum events. The team also record-breaking gathering for media was downloaded 93,000 times and
worked actively to balance gender coverage, with more than 217,000 received over 16,000 mentions,
contributions on the Forum’s media media mentions globally. Webcast earning approximately $47.6 million in
channels by actively commissioning views of the Annual Meeting session publicity value.
female economists, scientists and coverage totalled over 21 million
social activists as authors. on the website alone. A concerted The 2017-2018 year put the Forum’s
focus to adapt and create content public engagement activities on
The Forum advanced its role as an specifically for local consumption an unprecedented firm footing,
essential public engagement platform resulted in growth in coverage of our reinforcing the Forum as the top
for its Strategic Partners community regional meetings. platform to engage the public on the
by successfully shifting from an most significant global challenges.
events-driven approach to year-round French- and Japanese-language
engagement. With unprecedented sites were added to the Forum’s
media and social media activities portfolio of websites and a new
around the Industry Strategy section – Our Impact – was
Meeting, shaping the industry introduced to highlight Forum
agenda was extended beyond the activities.
Forum’s constituents to a larger
audience of business and industry These measures combined resulted
leaders. in 26% growth in traffic to the
Forum’s website, with 4.9 million
This year, the Forum’s digital unique users visiting the site each
publishing platform experienced month.

Strategic Intelligence
By Jeremy Jurgens
Managing Director,
Head of Industry Agendas and Knowledge Engagement

The Forum’s strategic intelligence of a digital knowledge engagement
capacity expanded in scope and programme.
sophistication in 2017-2018. It has
become a core pillar of the overall In line with the Forum’s mission
institutional positioning as the to promote a global and informed
global platform for public-private discussion on global issues, a public
cooperation, and it complements version of the Transformation Maps
the Forum’s events and public was launched at the Annual Meeting
engagement. of the Global Future Councils 2017
in Dubai. Interest in the public maps
Transformation Maps, covering 126 was significant, and over 60,000
topic areas and synthesizing the public users signed up in the first six
collective intelligence of the Forum’s months.
network, are at the heart of this
capacity. They are co-curated with The Forum also continued to refine
leading universities, think tanks and equip its expert communities to
and international organizations, ensure engagement of the highest
including the Massachusetts Institute quality with them, in the service of
of Technology, the University of the Forum’s overall strategic goals.
Oxford, Yale University, the Inter-
American Development Bank and Since their creation in 2008, the
the International Organization for World Economic Forum Global
Migration. They also incorporate Future Councils have contributed
research and analysis from leading significantly to our forward-looking
research institutions around the agenda, providing more than 370
world, which is automatically Agenda articles and 35 podcasts
scanned, summarized and classified exploring the intersection of the
based on a proprietary machine Fourth Industrial Revolution and
learning capacity. Currently, the global systems.
system analyses more than 1,000
reports and articles a day in five The Forum’s Expert Network, a
languages from over 200 sources, 5,000-strong community of leading
including the Brookings Institution, thinkers and practitioners across
Bruegel, Carnegie India, Chatham all the issues covered by the
House, Harvard Business School and Transformation Maps, is increasingly
others. using the digital platform to share
research, comment on developments
New Transformation Map features and engage with one another to
were introduced during the year, explore issues in greater depth. In
such as short explainer podcasts addition, the Forum’s academic
featuring the co-curators of the engagement through the Global
maps, and the enhanced ability University Leaders Forum (GULF)
to customize maps for individual and other university collaborations
organizations or projects. In continued to strengthen, with an
addition, trends and signals derived engagement framework centred
from the large body of knowledge around these new strategic
accumulated through the machine- intelligence capacities.
curated knowledge feed can be
displayed – one of the advanced
features offered to Partners as part

People and Culture
By Emma Benameur
Head of People and Culture
At the World Economic Forum, we The Forum’s Japan office comprised The Forum also created a Global
want to hire and engage the world's five employees at the end of the Leadership Institute to shape the
most passionate and purpose- fiscal year. Additionally, in partnership future of learning and leadership in
driven individuals. Key achievements with the Asia Pacific Initiative and this era of fast-paced technological
and initiatives from the past year Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade change. The Institute aims to help
to achieve that objective included and Industry, the Forum opened develop the mindset, skills and tools
focusing on acquiring talent for the the Centre for the Fourth Industrial needed to be a leader in times of
new Centres. The Centre for the Revolution Japan in Tokyo. Centres in disruption and to drive systems-
Fourth Industrial Revolution in San India and China are being established, level change through public-private
Francisco had 39 highly talented adding further talent to the global cooperation.
individuals, 25 women and 14 men, team of staff and secondees.
a little over a year after its launch. A core pillar of the Global Leadership
It grew fast with 62% of the team The Forum engaged 39 secondees Institute is the Global Leadership
hired in the course of the year and from 25 organizations, of whom Fellows programme. It prepares future
18% through internal mobility. 15% 15% are working with the Centre leaders through on-the-job learning,
of the talent are secondees, bringing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution academic training, and individual
profound expertise in AI, machine Network, representing diverse profiles development and coaching. In 2017,
learning, blockchain and digital policy of organizations from government, 19 Fellows from 15 nationalities were
from public- and private-sector consulting, industry, technology and admitted from among more than
partners. financial services. 2,500 candidates.

The World Economic
Forum comprises 726 83
diverse and exceptional staff are employed globally. nationalities from all continents are
Secondees are also engaged from represented at the Forum, across five
individuals from all walks more than 25 partner organizations to office locations (Geneva, New York,
collaborate on specific projects. San Francisco, Beijing, Tokyo).
of life. The numbers
displayed on the right
The Forum employs exceptional people, Diversity is integral to the success of the
highlight some key people including secondees from partner Forum.
companies and organizations.
measures at the Forum.
Our employees are at the heart
of the Forum’s ability to serve its
communities and fulfil its mission. To
stay at the frontier of today’s rapidly
changing global environment, the
57% 38,000
of employees are female, with 40% of candidates applied for positions last
Forum continues to shift towards
leadership positions held by women. year. For each open position, on
a more adaptive and dynamic The Forum proactively strives to average 170 applications are received.
ecosystem of talent. Creating more improve gender representation at the
agile and flexible people and culture leadership levels.
practices, supported by the latest
Gender diversity is embedded in the People join the Forum because they want
technologies and tools, is a strategic
culture of the organization. to improve the state of the world.
priority.
224 123
new employees joined last year from Global Leadership Fellows (GLF) work
the private and public sectors, as well at the Forum, with nearly 30% of
as from NGOs, academia and the leadership positions held by fellows
media. who graduated from the programme.
The Forum recruits individuals from Our Global Leadership Institute prepares
all walks of life, who want to make a future leaders for a complex and
difference for our communities. ambiguous world. The Forum also invests
in the development of all staff through
continuous learning opportunities.
21% 9%
of employees take on greater of employees left last fiscal year. The
responsibilities or new roles within the Forum supports internal and external
organization every year. career development. On average,
employees stay with the Forum 4.6
years.

Organization of the
(As of 19 August 2018) Core support Core development Core value delivery
functions functions functions
Finance,
Centre for Global
Technology
Industries
and Operations
(Jeremy Jurgens*)
(Julien Gattoni)
Centre for
People and
Regional and
Culture
Geopolitical Affairs
(Emma Benameur*)
(Børge Brende*)
Business Centre for Global

Engagement Public Goods
(Olivier Schwab*) (Dominic Waughray)
Chairman Office
(Klaus Schwab)
Policy and Centre for the

Institutional New Economy
Impact and Society
(Richard Samans*) (Saadia Zahidi*)
Board of Trustees Managing Board
— —
Executive Chairman President
(Klaus Schwab) (Børge Brende*)
Public Global
Engagement Programming
(Adrian Monck*) (W. Lee Howell*)
Compliance and
Institutional Affairs
(Alois Zwinggi*)
Centre for the
Strategic Fourth Industrial
Beijing Office
Intelligence Revolution
(David Aikman)
(Jeremy Jurgens*) Network
(Murat Sönmez*)
Centre for
New York and San
Cybersecurity
Francisco Offices
(Troels Oerting
(Sarita Nayyar*)
Jorgensen)
Centre for
Tokyo Office Innovation and
(Makiko Eda) Entrepreneurship**
* Member of the Managing Board (Knut Haanaes )
** To be inaugurated in the second half of 2018

Heads of the Major Organizational
Functions of the World Economic
Forum
Top Row: Troels Oerting Jorgensen, Centre for Cybersecurity; Knut Haanaes, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
Murat Sönmez*, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network; David Aikman, Beijing Office; Jeremy Jurgens*, Centre for Global
Industries & Strategic Intelligence, Dominic Waughray, Centre for Global Public Goods
Middle Row: Alois Zwinggi*, Compliance and Institutional Affairs; Julien Gattoni, Finance, Technology & Operations;
Emma Benameur*, People and Culture; Adrian Monck*, Public Engagement & Social Engagement; Olivier Schwab*, Business Engagement.
Front Row: Lee Howell*, Global Programming; Richard Samans*, Policy and Institutional Impact; Saadia Zahidi*, Centre for the New
Economy and Society; Makiko Eda, Tokyo Office; Sarita Nayyar*, New York and San Francisco Offices; Børge Brende*, President.
* Member of the Managing Board

Finance, Technology and
Operations
By Julien Gattoni
Chief Financial Officer
Head of Finance, Technology and Operations

The Forum’s Finance, Technology Our General Services team
and Operations team supports the focused on providing the
Forum with responsibility for finance, foundations for continued growth
controlling, procurement, general of our headquarters operations and
services, hospitality and technology. capacity in Geneva, in particular new
We deliver a cost-effective, client- infrastructure and workspaces, and
focused infrastructure for all Forum the planned construction of a new
locations. building extension.
The Forum is conscious that our In the Technology arena we have

financial resources are provided in continued to evolve TopLink
trust by our Members and Partners. (www.toplink.org) to become the
We ensure financial management virtual platform for the engagement
best practice and discipline. of our constituents. We launched
We develop and maintain an the Transformation Maps to the
integrated institution-wide financial public, attracting some 60,000
accounting system, with appropriate subscribers in the first few months.
financial reporting and internal Our new Engagement Viewer allows
control. We provide leadership for Partners to visualize all their points of
the strategic planning, performance engagement with the Forum.
reporting, budget analysis,
justification, control and reporting of We enhanced the event registration
all functions. experience, allowing for one-click
registration and instant confirmation.
This year we built on the In the mobile space, we combined
consolidation of Forum operations the previous Knowledge App with
into OneForum that took place in the Events App to become the
2016-2017, focusing on providing single TopLink App, providing a
flexible and agile systems that single point of entry for our digital
could support the fast growth in services around communities, events
particular of the Centre for the Fourth and knowledge. Internally, we have
Industrial Revolution Network, as revamped our system to provide
well as the re-establishment of our colleagues with a state-of-the-art
Japan office and its integration with user interface and introduced new
Forum governance and operations. ways of sharing documents.
We continued to improve the
“quote-to-cash” systems that We supported the creation of the
automate our contract management new Centres on the technology
processes and reinforced our data side, adapted to the new regulations
analytics capacities to enable more regarding data privacy (GDPR) and
effective data-driven decision- finally, are investing in and monitoring
making. Increases in direct funding all aspects of cybersecurity in the
contributions encouraged the best security interests of the Forum.
development of a robust grant
management process.

Social Engagement through
Our Foundations
By Adrian Monck
Managing Director,
Head of Public and Social Engagement

The World Economic Forum supports inclusive communities. Shapers Jaideep Bansal, Leader, Energy
three independent foundations to are diverse in expertise, education, Access, GHE, India
serve as catalysts for next generation income and race, but are united by
leaders and entrepreneurs to play an their desire to bring about change. Layla Dong, Founder, Blockshine
active role in improving the state of Communication, People’s Republic of
the world. Shapers look for opportunities to China
have impact on a global scale by
With a worldwide presence and joining forces with other Hubs. Maria Teresa Kumar, President and
over 10,000 members altogether, They represent a network of peers Chief Executive Officer, Voto Latino,
the Global Shapers Community, connected through TopLink, the USA
the Schwab Foundation for Social Forum’s digital platform, and through
Entrepreneurship and the Forum of events and joint projects. Jack Ma, Executive Chairman, Alibaba
Young Global Leaders integrate the Group, People’s Republic of China
energies and skills of community In September 2017, Klaus Schwab
members into Forum activities and challenged Shapers around the world H.R.H. Mette-Marit, Crown Princess
projects. to evaluate their city’s preparedness of Norway
for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
In 2017-2018, over 1,500 Global and to make recommendations that Fahd Al-Rasheed, Group Chief
Shapers, Social Entrepreneurs and could improve their city’s readiness Executive Officer and Managing
Young Global Leaders (YGL) brought for change. They consulted with Director, King Abdullah Economic City,
their insights and influence to World local governments, institutions and Saudi Arabia
Economic Forum meetings. At the representatives of civil society before
Annual Meeting 2018 alone, over submitting over 100 Hub proposals. David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder
100 members of the Foundations Shapers representing the top and Co-Executive Chairman, Carlyle
served as panellists and moderators proposals were invited to Geneva Group, USA
in the official programme, providing to present their ideas to Schwab
their expertise on a range of diverse and Forum experts, exhibiting the Schwab Foundation for
topics. Watched by 35 million important role young people can play Social Entrepreneurship
viewers, members met with Jack in shaping their city’s future.
Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba The Schwab Foundation for Social
Group, to discuss the role of young At the Annual Meeting 2018, Shapers Entrepreneurship supports a network
people in society. kicked-off a year-long partnership of more than 350 late-stage social
with Procter & Gamble after meeting entrepreneurs. By providing an
Global Shapers Community with Carolyn Tastad, Group President unparalleled global platform, the
for North America. Together they Foundation’s goal is to highlight
The Global Shapers Community launched a call to action for solutions and scale leading models of social
is a network of inspiring young to gender inequality. Over 100 Hubs innovation.
people under the age of 30, working submitted their solutions with five
together to address local, regional winning Hubs sharing a $100,000 The Foundation helps strengthen
and global challenges. With more grant to bring their ideas to life. and grow the field of social
than 7,000 members, the community As part of the campaign, Shapers entrepreneurship by showcasing
spans 377 city-based Hubs in 158 sparked a social media conversation best-in-class examples, models for
countries as of June 2018. on the need to challenge the status replication and practitioner-oriented
quo. #WeSeeEqual has reached over research.
In each city, teams of Shapers 1.5 million people to date.
self-organize to create projects Several inspiring impact stories
that address the needs of their Board members where highlighted at the World
community. Projects are wide- Economic Forum Annual Meeting
ranging – from responding to Klaus Schwab, Founder and 2018. Social Entrepreneur Chetna
disasters and combating poverty, to Executive Chairman, World Economic Sinha, one of the Meeting Co-Chairs
fighting climate change and building Forum and Founder of the Mann Deshi

Foundation, is dedicated to the the flagship executive education Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Chief
economic empowerment of rural programme at the Harvard Kennedy Executive Officer, Save the Children
women in India. The Foundation School of Government. International, United Kingdom
started India’s first bank run by and
for women, established business In September 2018, the Schwab Forum of Young Global
schools providing women with Foundation will celebrate its 20th Leaders
entrepreneurial skills, and initiated a anniversary of supporting social
community development programme entrepreneurship around the world. Klaus Schwab created the Forum
focused on water conservation. It has Over 130 Social Entrepreneurs will of Young Global Leaders in
supported 400,000 women and aims come together in New York with 2004 as a way to help the world
to reach 1 million by 2022 through Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co- meet increasingly complex and
a new fund launched at the Annual Founder of the Schwab Foundation interdependent challenges. His vision
Meeting. for Social Entrepreneurship, to take was to create a multistakeholder
stock of the movement, support community of the world’s next
Raj Panjabi, Chief Executive Officer each other and identify opportunities generation leaders to help inform and
of Last Mile Health, and Chuck for collaborative impact. At the influence decision-making through
Slaughter, Founder of Living World Economic Forum Sustainable the contribution of new ideas,
Goods, announced a $50 million Development Impact Summit, perspectives and energy.
collaboration to deploy 50,000 the Schwab Foundation will also Today, this peer network of 1,200
community health workers to publicly announce its 2018 Social members and alumni organizes
deliver quality care door-to-door Entrepreneur of the Year awardees. executive education, global meetings,
to 35 million people. Working in group expeditions and opportunities
close partnership with African Board members to collaborate and test ideas.
governments, this initiative will
reinvent primary healthcare by Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and More than ever, the world needs
leveraging the disruptive power Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for public officials capable of restoring
of mobile technology to empower Social Entrepreneurship people’s faith in a better future.
thousands of health workers at a Among its main priorities, the
fraction of the cost of deploying Martin Burt, Founder and Chief Forum of Young Global Leaders
doctors or nurses. Executive Officer, Fundación is committed to supporting its
Paraguaya, Paraguay members in pursuit of public service
Gonzalo Muñoz, Co-Founder and through a series of programmes
Chief Executive Officer of TriCiclos, David R. Gergen, Faculty Director, and boot camps. Over the last
launched a partnership with the Center for Public Leadership, Harvard year, YGLs convened for a Public
Ellen MacArthur Foundation to Kennedy School of Government, USA Leadership Masterclass in Canada
improve the circular economy in joined by Prime Minister Justin
Chile. The Chilean initiative will Johanna Mair, Professor of Trudeau, participating in an
involve collaborative action and Organization, Strategy and Leadership, intimate discussion around public-
commitment by businesses, industry, Hertie School of Governance, sector leadership. YGLs travelled
governments, local authorities and Germany to Brussels to discuss policies
NGOs to eliminate unnecessary and regulations with members of
packaging, increase recycling and H.M. Mathilde, Queen of Belgium the European Commission and
mobilize citizens to play their part in (Honorary Foundation Board Member) European Parliament. In October
eliminating waste. 2017, the community celebrated
Subramanian Rangan, The Abu Dhabi the election of YGL Jacinda Ardern
The Schwab Foundation also Crown Prince Court Endowed Chair in as Prime Minister of New Zealand,
provides catalytic leadership Societal Progress, INSEAD, France the youngest female head of
programmes for its members. In government.
May 2018, 40 Schwab Foundation Nicole Schwab, Co-Founder, EDGE
Social Entrepreneurs participated in Certified Foundation, Switzerland
“Leadership for Systems Change”,

The programme offers tuition-free social innovation.
executive education to strengthen
the leadership skills and broaden Board members
the world view of YGLs. This year,
over 250 members participated Klaus Schwab, Founder and
in programmes at such leading Executive Chairman, World Economic
institutions as Harvard, Oxford and Forum
Princeton universities and the Lee
Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Thor Björgolfsson, Chairman,
Novator Partners, Iceland
The YGL Foundation challenges its
members to learn from each other, Tejpreet Singh Chopra, President
work with experts in the field and and Chief Executive Officer, Bharat
take individual and collective action Light and Power, India
around key issues. Last year saw
a strong focus on the environment Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief
and sustainable development. From Executive Officer, Gulf International
Jaime Nack’s leadership on green Bank (UK), United Kingdom
events and workplace education
to Sonia Medina’s efforts to secure Ellana Lee, Senior Vice-President
a low-carbon world for children, and Managing Editor, CNN
YGLs are already at the forefront of International, Hong Kong SAR
fighting for the future of the planet.
YGLs travelled to Greenland to gain Marissa Mayer, Co-Founder, Lumi
insight into current climate science Labs, USA
research and made commitments
to follow up on their visit. In keeping Lorenzo A. Mendoza, Chief
with this focus, a new education Executive Officer, Empresas Polar,
programme was launched with the Venezuela
Princeton University Andlinger Center
for Energy and the Environment Amina Mohammed, Deputy
to increase YGLs’ resilience to Secretary-General, United Nations,
environmental challenges. New York
Finally, 100 purpose-driven leaders Nicole Schwab, Co-Founder, EDGE

were selected to join the Class Certified Foundation, Switzerland
of 2018. From solving challenges
around antibiotic resistance to Jimmy Wales, Founder,
building spacecraft, the class is Wikipedia.org, USA
a global powerhouse of artists,
business leaders, public servants Zhang Yi-Chen, Chairman and Chief
and social entrepreneurs. Over half Executive Officer, CITIC Capital, Hong
are women and the majority of the Kong SAR
cohort is from emerging economies.
Taken together, they represent the
very best of their generation and are
advancing new models of sustainable

Our Global Presence
USA China Japan

World Economic Forum LLC World Economic Forum World Economic Forum Japan
Beijing Representative Office
The World Economic Forum New First established in 2009, the World
York office was established in 2006 The World Economic Forum has hosted Economic Forum Japan Office has
to engage businesses in shaping events in China since 1981. In 2006, been headed by Makiko Eda since April
global, regional and industry agendas. the Beijing Representative Office was 2018. Based in Tokyo, it continued to
Headed by Sarita Nayyar, Member established to provide a centre for support Forum activities across all areas,
of the Managing Board of the World Forum activities focusing on Global particularly relations with government,
Economic Forum, Chief Operating Growth Companies. The office has business and the public.
Officer, World Economic Forum grown steadily, integrating Chinese
LLC, the office continues to manage leaders from government, business, While reorienting the Forum presence
relationships with Forum Members academia and the New Champions in Japan in a new, extended team to
and Partners who strongly support community into Forum activities and accelerate impact in the country, the
the Forum’s mission to drive relevant System Initiatives. Japan Office focused on community
and sustainable change for business development, relationship management,
and society. Together they identify, Since the opening of the Forum knowledge networks, Regional Business
discuss and address their sector’s Beijing Representative Office, China’s Council activities and special projects.
critical issues through industry-specific economy has grown rapidly, leading
initiatives, as well as actively contribute to an increasingly prosperous society.
to the World Economic Forum Annual Along with growth and prosperity, China
Meeting in Davos-Klosters, and to is undergoing major challenges, such
other Forum events throughout the as rapid urbanization, pollution and the
year. need to ensure greater social inclusion,
among others. At the same time,
The New York office focused on opportunities are expanding for Chinese
key industry sectors like Consumer enterprises to go global, upgrade
Packaged Goods, Financial Services, manufacturing value chains and broaden
Investors, Technology, Media, and innovation and entrepreneurship as the
Digital Communications and Mobility. country becomes ever more integrated
The office continued developing in the global economy. Again this year,
relationships with governments in the Forum Beijing Representative
North America and facilitating their Office and China team worked with
engagement in the work of the Forum. Chinese and international stakeholders
In September 2017, the office hosted to help address these challenges and
the Annual Sustainable Development opportunities.
Impact Summit in New York.
The Forum’s China team, led by David
The San Francisco office serves as Aikman, Chief Representative Officer,
the global base for the Centre for the China, remains poised for the next
Fourth Industrial Revolution Network. phase of growth, which will focus on
Our vision is to establish this Network the Fourth Industrial Revolution in
as the foremost international institution technology and on developing even
recognized for its leadership role in the greater industry knowledge and strategic
collaborative development, piloting and intelligence capabilities to stay ahead of
refinement of policy frameworks and China’s rapidly changing global context.
governance protocols that more fully
anticipate the risks and accelerate the
social benefits of emerging technology.

Governance and Leadership
Governance true global citizenship. In their work on

the Board, members do not represent
Incorporated as a foundation in any personal or professional interests.
1971, and headquartered in Geneva, To reflect the Board’s multistakeholder
Switzerland, the World Economic status, its membership is divided
Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; equally between representatives of the
it is tied to no political, partisan or business community and leaders from
national interests. It is under the international organizations and civil
supervision of the Department of society.
the Interior of the Swiss Federal
Government. The Board determines and supervises
the activities of the Forum and its
The Forum strives to model world- governing bodies, including approving
class corporate governance where the annual accounts and strategic
values are as important as rules. direction, and manages its statutes.
Legitimacy, accountability, integrity, Two committees facilitate the work of
transparency and concerted action the Board of Trustees: the Governing
are the pillars of effective governance Board, which fulfils strategic and
and the guiding principles of the governance functions; and the Audit
Forum. By clearly articulating its and Risk Committee, which oversees
principles, the Forum continues to the Forum’s accounts and budgets
reinforce and renew what makes it by remaining in close contact with the
relevant and unique, and maintains Forum’s auditors, its Chief Financial
its independence as it adheres to its Officer and the Head of Compliance
mission to improve the state of the and Institutional Affairs.
world.
As custodians of the Forum’s
The main governing bodies brand, Board members oversee
of the World Economic Forum the Forum’s operations and make
are the: recommendations to respond to the
needs of all the Forum’s stakeholders.
– Board of Trustees
The Executive Chairman
– Committees of the Board of
Trustees: The Executive Chairman presides
• Governing Board over the Board of Trustees and the
• Audit and Risk Committee Governing Board. He is particularly
responsible for the strategic,
– Managing Board, assisted by conceptual and leadership issues of
the Executive Committee the Forum, and represents the Forum
at the highest level.
Board of Trustees
The Executive Chairman works in close
Recognizing that an organization collaboration with the President, who
is only as strong as its leadership, presides over the Managing Board,
the Forum is guided by a Board of ensuring that all issues related to
Trustees, consisting of exceptional strategy, institutional development and
individuals from business, politics, governance are aligned and integrated
academia and civil society who act as into a unified approach.
guardians of its mission and values and
oversee the Forum’s work in promoting

Members of the World Peter Maurer, President, International President and Managing Board
Economic Forum Board of Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
Trustees Geneva Members of the Managing Board are
(30 June 2018) appointed by the Governing Board.
Luis Alberto Moreno**, President,
Klaus Schwab*, Chairman of the Board Inter-American Development Bank, The President chairs and coordinates
of Trustees, World Economic Forum Washington DC the Managing Board, which acts as
the executive body of the Foundation.
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe*, Vice- Indra Nooyi*, Chairman and Chief The Managing Board ensures that all
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Executive Officer, PepsiCo, USA activities undertaken by the Forum fulfil
World Economic Forum; Chairman its mission, and acts as its representative
Emeritus, Nestlé SA, Switzerland L. Rafael Reif, President, to outside parties.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the (MIT), USA The Managing Board has a collective
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan executive responsibility for the
David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Foundation and reports to the Board of
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Co-Executive Chairman, Carlyle Group, Trustees.
Managing Director, Reliance Industries, USA
India
Jim Hagemann Snabe**, Chairman, Members of the World
Marc R. Benioff, Chairman and Chief Supervisory Board, Siemens AG, Economic Forum Managing
Executive Officer, Salesforce, USA Germany; Chairman, A.P. Møller-Maersk, Board
Denmark
Mark Carney, Chairman, Financial Børge Brende, President of the
Stability Board; Governor of the Bank of Heizo Takenaka**, Minister of State for Managing Board
England Economic and Fiscal Policy of Japan
(2002-2006) W. Lee Howell, Head of Global
Orit Gadiesh**, Chairman, Bain & Programming
Company, USA Min Zhu*, President, National Institute
of Financial Research, People’s Republic Jeremy Jurgens, Head of Industry
Al Gore, Vice-President of the United of China; Deputy Managing Director, Agendas and Knowledge Engagement
States (1993-2001); Chairman and International Monetary Fund (IMF),
Co-Founder, Generation Investment Washington DC (2011-2016) Cheryl Martin, Head of the Centre for
Management LLP, USA Innovation and Entrepreneurship
* Member of the Governing Board
Herman Gref, Chairman of the Board ** Member of the Audit and Risk Committee Adrian Monck, Head of Public and
and Chief Executive Officer, Sberbank, Social Engagement
Russia
Sarita Nayyar, Chief Operating Officer,
Angel Gurria, Secretary-General, World Economic Forum LLC
Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, Paris Richard Samans, Head of Policy and
Institutional Impact
André S. Hoffmann*, Non-Executive
Vice-Chairman, Roche Holding Ltd, Olivier Schwab, Head of Business
Switzerland Engagement
Jim Yong Kim, President, The World Murat Sönmez, Head of the Centre for
Bank, Washington DC the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network
Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, Alois Zwinggi, Head of Compliance and

International Monetary Fund (IMF), Institutional Affairs
Washington DC
Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister

of Defence of Germany
Jack Ma, Executive Chairman, Alibaba

Group, People’s Republic of China
Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist

Executive Committee Mirek Dusek, Deputy Head of Derek O’Halloran, Head of Future of
Geopolitical and Regional Agendas Digital Economy and Society
The Executive Committee consists of
the Forum’s senior management and John Dutton, Head of Social Mel Rogers, Head of Strategic Affairs
meets monthly for strategic discussions Engagement and Head of Young Global
on key institutional issues. Leaders Community Stephan Ruiz, Head of Group
Controlling and Head of Finance and
Members of the World Makiko Eda, Chief Representative Operations USA
Economic Forum Executive Officer, Japan
Committee Paul Smyke, Head of Regional Agenda
(30 June 2018) Diana El-Azar, Head of Marketing and - North America
Outreach
David Aikman, Chief Representative Masao Takahashi, Head of Forum
Officer, China Maha Eltobgy, Head of Investors Members
Industries
Marco Albani, Director, Tropical Forest Terri Toyota, Deputy Head of the Centre
Alliance 2020 Julien Gattoni, Chief Financial Officer for Global Public Goods
and Head of Finance, Technology and
Marisol Argueta, Head of Regional Operations Dominic Waughray, Head of the Centre
Agenda - Latin America for Global Public Goods
Malte Godbersen, Head of Technology
Emma Benameur, Head of People and Digital Services Christoph Wolff, Head of Future of
and Culture Mobility System
Knut Haanaes, Dean of the Global
Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Partner Leadership Institute Alex Wong, Head of Global Challenge
Development, Europe and North Partnerships
America; Head of Healthcare Industry Mike Hanley, Head of Digital
Communications Justin Wood, Head of Regional Agenda
Matthew Blake, Head of Financial and - Asia-Pacific
Monetary System Initiative Zara Ingilizian, Head of Consumer
Industry and System Initiative Saadia Zahidi, Head of the Centre for
Roberto Bocca, Head of Future of the New Economy and Society
Energy and Materials Elsie Kanza, Head of Regional Agenda
- Africa
Giancarlo Bruno, Head of Financial
Services Ramya Krishnaswamy, Head of
Engagement Management and PACI
Sebastian Buckup, Head of
Programming, Global Programming Martina Larkin, Head of Regional
Group Strategies - Europe and Eurasia
Denise Burnet, Head of Event Helena Leurent, Head of Future of

Management Production
Sean de Cleene, Head of Future of Alan Marcus, Head of Technology,

Food Media and Digital
Nicholas Davis, Head of Society Fon Mathuros Chantanayingyong,

and Innovation Head of Media
Jean-Loup Denereaz, Head of General Viraj Mehta, Head of Regional Agenda -

Services and Event Operations India and South Asia
Sean Doherty, Head of International Stephan Mergenthaler, Head of

Trade and Investment System Initiative Knowledge Networks and Analysis
Margareta Drzeniek, Deputy Head of John Moavenzadeh, Head of Mobility

Social and Economic Agendas Industries and System Initiative
Silvio Dulinsky, Head of Business Troels Oerting Jorgensen, Head of the

Engagement - Latin America Centre for Cybersecurity

Compliance
and Institutional Affairs
By Alois Zwinggi
Managing Director,
Head of Compliance and Institutional Affairs
Institutional integrity and sustainable event management. In Finally, the Forum works to ensure that
compliance January, the Annual Meeting 2018 in local communities are considered and
Davos-Klosters was certified to this engaged. The Forum collaborates with
Institutional integrity underpinned by international standard, following audits many Swiss suppliers to deliver the
compliance with applicable laws and by an external auditing company. With Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters and
ethical standards is at the heart of ISO 20121, the Forum follows a strict values local expertise for its operations.
World Economic Forum operations. methodology to embed sustainability in It also actively engages with local
The Forum is committed to upholding its internal day-to-day management. stakeholders and authorities to ensure
the highest standards of professional mutual benefits, and supports the
integrity to be able to serve as a As part of this sustainability development of local sustainability
valued, independent and impartial programme, the Forum is programmes. The Open Forum event
partner to its international stakeholder taking responsibility for its direct format has increased the engagement
base. The Forum’s Compliance and environmental impacts. Based on a of the local community, civil society
Institutional Affairs department hence carbon footprint assessment of Annual and general public on topical debates,
offers guidance, training and support Meeting activities, environmental allowing a broader audience to
to all Forum employees in order to measures were implemented in Davos- participate in the activities of the World
foster a sustainable culture of moral Klosters and are being rolled out to Economic Forum.
and intellectual integrity. other Forum events and offices. This
specifically includes efforts in the field
Importantly, the department of energy management, resource
is integrated into the highest optimization and environmental impact
management level of the organization. reduction pertaining to transportation
It is chaired by a member of the and catering services.
Managing Board supported by the
Head of Legal and Compliance, who In addition, through its Sustainable
jointly set the integrity standards for Procurement Policy published in
all Forum offices around the world. 2017, the Forum aims to ensure
Among other duties, the department is that sustainability practices are also
responsible for enforcing the Forum’s implemented throughout its value
Code of Conduct, designing and chain. This includes making sure
implementing associated policies, and goods and services are procured with
advising the organization on emerging an emphasis on fair employment and
compliance issues. environmental attributes, as well as
other social and ethical criteria. A Code
Sustainability of Conduct for Suppliers, elaborated
the same year, requires suppliers to
The World Economic Forum take appropriate steps to ensure that
manages its internal Sustainability sustainability principles are respected
Policy in accordance with the ISO in all locations where products and
20121 international standard for services are produced or sourced.

Financial Statements

Consolidated Financial Statements
Annex to the accounts as at 30 June 2018 Basis for the establishment

of the consolidated accounts
Presentation
The consolidated financial statements (hereafter also
The World Economic Forum is an international organization “the accounts” or “financial statements” or “annual”
integrating leaders from business, governments, academia consolidated accounts”) of the World Economic Forum are
and society at large into a global community committed to prepared in accordance with the provisions of Swiss GAAP
improving the state of the world. FER. We observe the standard of consistency, the accrual
basis of accounting, prudence and no netting of amounts.
To achieve its mission, the World Economic Forum acts as The main accounting rules used in the preparation of the
a catalyst for thought leadership and action mainly in the World Economic Forum’s consolidated financial statements
form of public-private partnerships. are described herein. The accounts are presented
according to the principles of historical cost and in Swiss
For this purpose, the World Economic Forum identifies francs (CHF). The accounts also comply with article 83a
issues on the global, regional and industry agendas, seeks of the Swiss Civil Code. All the entities included in the
solutions and, wherever possible, creates partnerships for consolidated close their books at 30 June.
action.
The World Economic Forum always acts in the spirit of

entrepreneurship in the global public interest, combining
the forces of creative thinking, innovative initiatives and
intellectual integrity with the will to advance peace and
prosperity in the world.
In its activities, the World Economic Forum fully respects

the essential role played by governments and international
organizations as well as by their various affiliated
institutions.
The World Economic Forum is a public interest, not-for-

profit organization, is independent and does not pursue
any political or ideological interests. In its activities the
World Economic Forum proves in all circumstances its
independence and impartiality. The World Economic Forum
is based in Cologny/Geneva, Switzerland with offices in
New York, San Francisco, Beijing and Tokyo.

Method of consolidation to the functional currency at the average rate of the following
month and provided by the Swiss Administration.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of the World Economic Forum and of the entities that are The exchange losses and gains arising from the settlement
controlled by the World Economic Forum as listed in the of the transactions and from the re-evaluation in foreign
scope of consolidation. Control exists when the World currencies are posted to the profit and loss statement.
Economic Forum is exposed to, or has rights to, variable
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the Conversion into Swiss francs
ability to affect those returns through its powers over the
entity. The consolidated accounts are prepared and presented
in Swiss francs (CHF). The controlled entities express their
financial statements in local currency.
Entities included in the scope of consolidation
The individual items in the profit and loss statement as
2018 2017
well as the cash flow statements of the foreign entities
are converted into the functional currency at the average
Name of Activity Country Voting Voting exchange rate for the year published by the Swiss
the Entity rights rights Administration for foreign currencies.
World Not-for- United 100 100 The balance sheet items (with the exception of the funds)
Economic Profit States of
are converted into the functional currency at the balance
Forum LLC Organization America
sheets rate published by the Swiss Administration for foreign
currencies. The conversion differences resulting from the
translation of the balance sheet items have no effect on the
profit and loss statements and are recognized in the Funds
The World Economic Forum fully consolidates entities along with the translation differences on the profit and loss
in which it exercises exclusive control, either directly or statement arising from the difference of the average and the
indirectly. The assets and liabilities of its controlled entities, year-end exchange rate.
together with the expenses and income, are included in full
in the annual consolidated accounts. Cash and short-term cash deposit
Any minority interests in the net funds and the result appear This item represents assets in current accounts, as well as
separately in the consolidated balance sheet and the short-term cash deposits. These transactions are recorded
consolidated profit and loss. Under the unity principle, the at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the transaction.
minority interests are included in the funds. They are revalued at year end at the closing rate.
Intercompany balances, expenses and income are Receivables

eliminated upon consolidation.
Receivables are recorded at the amount originally billed.
The consolidated financial statements were prepared for A provision for bad debts is established on the basis of a
the first time for the year ended 2017. The World Economic review of the open items at the end of the period, when
Forum LLC was consolidated for the period in which the there is high probability that the amounts will not be
World Economic Forum exercises its control, thus since recovered. Amounts that are definitively unrecoverable are
1 January 2017. written off.
Functional currency Prepaid expenses/accrued revenues
The elements included in World Economic Forum financial This position includes prepaid expenses relating to the
statements are measured in the currency that best reflects following accounting period, as well as accrued revenues.
the transaction’s economic reality. The accounts are
presented in Swiss francs (CHF), which is the functional Investments securities
currency of the World Economic Forum.
Securities are valued at acquisition cost less impairment.
Transactions in foreign currencies Gains are realized when securities are disposed of and are
posted under financial income.
Transactions in foreign currencies are converted to the
functional currency at the opening rate of the current month Property, plant and equipment
provided by the Swiss Administration for foreign currencies.
At closing date, balance sheet items (with the exception of Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical
the funds) denominated in foreign currencies are revaluated cost, less accumulated depreciation.

The depreciation method is straight-line and is based on the Loans and derivatives
following useful lives, by asset category:
Loans and derivatives are recognized at fair value through
profit or loss, net of transaction costs incurred. They are
Nature of the assets Depreciation terms (years) classified as current liabilities unless the settlement of the
liability defers for at least 12 months after the reporting date.
Building, new construction 30
Real estate 10 Revenue
Furniture and equipment 5
Lowest between useful life
Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence
Leasehold improvements and residual lease term that an arrangement exists, and risks and rewards are
Intangible assets 5 transferred. The amounts are posted to the statement of
income, net of taxes.
IT software 5
IT hardware 3 Rent charges
Furniture and equip. (events) 3
Rental expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over
Vehicles 3 the lease terms.
Art objects No depreciation
Pension plan
Land No depreciation
Assets under construction No depreciation In Switzerland, the Foundation covers the costs related
to the professional pension of its workers, as well as their
assignees, under the legal prescription. The pension plan is
governed by Swiss law in accordance with World Economic
Expenses for repairs and maintenance are booked to the Forum statutes.
profit and loss statement under “expenses for equipment”.
Expenses for major renovation are capitalized and amortized The pension obligations and plan assets are managed
over the life of the element replaced, but never beyond the by a legally independent pension fund. The organization,
remaining useful life of the underlying asset. management and financing of the pension plan are governed
by the law, together with the deed of foundation and the
Costs of research for ongoing projects are not capitalized, regulations applicable to pensions in force.
but expensed when incurred.
Transactions with related parties
Intangible assets
According to Swiss GAAP RPC 15, the following foundations
Intangible assets are included at their historical value, are considered as related parties:
reduced by depreciation. The depreciation method is – Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
straight-line and is based on a standard useful life of – Forum of Young Global Leaders
generally five years. – World Arts Forum
– Global Shapers Community
Impairment
Agreements have been signed with these related parties
The Foundation tests each asset at the balance sheet date stating that any deficits, should they occur, will be covered
and any impairment is recognized if necessary. The tests are by the World Economic Forum.
performed in a cyclic manner on the basis of five years for
art objects, land and buildings. All other transactions between the parties are conducted at
arm’s length.
Accrued liabilities
Donations
This item includes expenses payable related to the current
period, which will only be paid in the following period. Institutional donations:
Provisions – These funds, committed by a written donation

agreement to the World Economic Forum, are recorded
A provision is booked when the Foundation has a probable in full in the profit and loss statements as donations
obligation that is based on a past event and its amount in the year the commitment is made. All donations
and/or its due date is uncertain but can be estimated. This received with use restrictions, donor-imposed purposes
obligation gives rise to a liability. or time restrictions are classified as restricted funds.

– Foreign currency exchange gains and losses realized
between the date of the written donation agreement
and the date of the actual receipt of cash, and those
unrealized on the date of the statement of the financial
position are recorded in the profit and loss statement.
Individual donations:
– These are accounted for on a cash basis given their

relative size and significance.
Risk management policy
Risk assessment
To satisfy internal control system requirements, the World

Economic Forum operates continuous risk and control
reviews through various independent institutional review and
governance organs, such as the Foundation Board, Audit
Committee and Statutory Audit under Swiss Law.
Internally, the World Economic Forum is governed by the

Managing Board under the chairmanship of Founder and
Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab. Internal organs, such as
the Engagement Leadership Team and the Project Review
Board, assess the suitability and eligibility of Partners and
Members and review project activities.
Management of exchange risk exposure
The Swiss franc is the functional currency of the Foundation.

The World Economic Forum receives its revenue in Swiss
francs and US dollars. Most expenses are in Swiss francs
and a minority are in euros and US dollars. The exchange
rate risk exposure is very low and generated gains and
losses are posted in the profit and loss statement.
Management of liquidity risk
The Foundation is exposed to this risk in the event certain

counterparts default or have refinancing problems. The
liquidity position is proactively supervised to ensure the
Foundation can cover its obligations at all times.
Market risks
The Foundation has low exposure to market risks thanks

to the diversity of its revenues. This low risk is mainly linked
to the dependence on the World Economic Forum Annual
Meeting in Davos-Klosters. Annual Meeting revenues
represented 14% of total revenues in 2018. The cancellation
of the Annual Meeting could have negative consequences
on the Foundation’s revenues.

Report of the statutory auditor
to the Foundation Board of World Economic Forum
Cologny
Report of the statutory auditor on the consolidated financial

statements
As statutory auditor, we have audited the consolidated financial statements of World Economic Forum,
which comprise the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement, statement of changes in
funds and notes, for the year ended 30 June 2018.
Foundation Board’s responsibility

The Foundation Board is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in
accordance with the requirements of Swiss GAAP FER, Swiss law and the foundation’s deed and internal
regulations. This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining an internal control
system relevant to the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The Foundation Board is further responsible for selecting
and applying appropriate accounting policies and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the
circumstances.
Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards. Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the consolidated
financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in
the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment,
including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers the internal
control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of the consolidated financial statements in order to
design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating
the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the
audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018 give a true and fair
view of the financial position, the results of operations and the cash flows in accordance with Swiss GAAP
FER and comply with Swiss law and the foundation’s deed and internal regulations.
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, avenue Giuseppe-Motta 50, case postale, CH-1211 Genève 2, Switzerland
Téléphone: +41 58 792 91 00, Téléfax: +41 58 792 91 10, www.pwc.ch
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA is a member of the global PricewaterhouseCoopers network of firms, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

Report on other legal requirements
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act
(AOA) and independence (article 83b paragraph 3 CC in connection with article 728 CO) and that there
are no circumstances incompatible with our independence.
In accordance with article 83b paragraph 3 CC in connection with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and
Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal control system exists which has been designed
for the preparation of consolidated financial statements according to the instructions of the Foundation
Board.
We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
Marc Secretan Marcello Stimato

Audit expert Audit expert
Auditor in charge
Geneva, 8 August 2018
Enclosure:
- Consolidated financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement,
statement of changes in funds and notes)

Revenues and Costs, Balance Sheet 2013 –2018 Consolidated *
Swiss Francs (000s) 30/06/2013 30/06/2014 30/06/2015 30/06/2016 30/06/2017 30/06/2018

Profit & Loss
Total Revenue 186,340 198,823 205,758 228,343 280,022 326,740
Membership 35,169 33,614 32,019 34,876 30,817 31,620
Participation Fees 43,200 43,890 47,080 43,568 43,200 43,299
Partnership 95,011 105,543 114,896 140,643 185,307 227,317
Other 12,960 15,776 11,763 9,256 20,698 24,503
Total Expenses 184,526 197,342 205,025 227,101 278,809 325,023

1
Staff 84,205 89,286 94,958 101,865 108,360 130,790
Office & Activity 100,322 108,056 110,067 125,236 170,449 194,233
Carried to Foundation Capital 1,814 1,480 733 1,241 1,213 1,717
Swiss Francs (000s) 30/06/2013 30/06/2014 30/06/2015 30/06/2016 30/06/2017 30/06/2018

Balance Sheet
Total Assets 174,040 265,248 264,459 330,312 455,690 565,650
Current Assets 54,059 63,753 80,347 125,262 162,982 164,948
Cash & Equivalents 10,884 29,734 45,405 59,054 97,760 74,055
Receivables 43,175 34,019 34,942 66,208 65,222 90,894
Non-current Assets 119,981 201,495 184,112 205,050 292,708 400,702

2
Tangible and Intangible Assets 29,210 106,233 108,577 107,489 115,993 142,849
Financial Assets 90,771 95,263 75,535 97,561 176,715 257,853
Total Liabilities and Funds 174,040 265,248 264,459 330,312 455,690 565,650
Current Liabilities 94,093 96,797 94,886 146,561 185,514 194,863
Payables 6,035 14,042 11,775 10,250 13,278 12,149
3
Accrued Expenses and Deferred Income 88,058 82,755 83,111 136,311 172,236 182,715
Non-current Liabilities — — — — — 50,000

Long-term Loan — — — — — 50,000
Funds 79,948 168,451 169,573 183,751 270,176 320,787

Foundation Capital 26,808 28,621 30,102 30,834 32,075 33,603
4
Restricted Funds and Reserves 51,326 138,349 138,739 151,676 236,888 285,466
Surplus 1,814 1,480 733 1,241 1,213 1,717
* The consolidated figures above include figures from the World Economic Forum and the World Economic Forum LLC as of 1 January 2017.
Therefore, the last years' figures are not fully comparable.
1
Staff costs include wages and salaries (corresponding to CHF 102,328 million), social costs and other general staff expenses.
2
Tangible assets: land, property, equipment, IT hardware and software. Intangible assets: IT development.
3
Accrued expenses: provision for activity costs. Deferred income: membership, partnership and registration income deferral.
4
Restricted funds: funds received from governments and other donors restricted to specific activities. Reserves: for risk mitigation,
future expansion and future initiatives.

The World Economic Forum,
committed to improving the
state of the world, is the
International Organization for
Public-Private Cooperation.
The Forum engages the

foremost political, business and
other leaders of society to shape
global, regional and industry
agendas.

91-93 route de la Capite
CH-1223 Cologny/Geneva
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)22 869 1212
Fax: +41 (0)22 786 2744
contact@weforum.org
www.weforum.org

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World Economic Forum

3 From the Executive Chairman

10 Shaping Future Agendas

54 Our Core Functions

78 Our Global Presence

80 Governance and Leadership

Today, the Forum is making its most

Annual Report 2017–2018 3

Annual Report 2017–2018 5

6 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 7

8 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 9

10 Annual Report 2017–2018

12 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 13

14 Annual Report 2017–2018

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming entire systems of production,

Annual Report 2017–2018 15

Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and Society is a multistakeholder platform

16 Annual Report 2017–2018

– Circular Electronics in China,

Annual Report 2017–2018 17

18 Annual Report 2017–2018

A well-functioning global financial system serves as the cornerstone of economic

Annual Report 2017–2018 19

20 Annual Report 2017–2018

The System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Long-Term Investing, Infrastructure

Annual Report 2017–2018 21

The System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Information and Entertainment

Focus was placed on improving the a start-up initiative catalysed by the

In addition, the System Initiative

22 Annual Report 2017–2018

Mobility – the movement of people and goods – is a fundamental human need

Annual Report 2017–2018 23

Production is more than manufacturing; it encompasses everything from R&D and

24 Annual Report 2017–2018

26 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 27

Deep multistakeholder dialogue is critical as South Asia manages rapid growth

28 Annual Report 2017–2018

The Forum is collaborating with partners in the Asia-Pacific region to shape

The Asia-Pacific region is one of In South Korea, the Forum established

Annual Report 2017–2018 29

A fundamental priority for Europe is to develop an inclusive political and economic

30 Annual Report 2017–2018

Following significant development innovative solutions to a variety of

Within the Innovative City Forum 2017

Annual Report 2017–2018 31

32 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 33

At a time of great change in Latin America, the Forum is spearheading initiatives to

34 Annual Report 2017–2018

As China consolidates its position as an economic and technological leader, the

Annual Report 2017–2018 35

New milestones were reached in North America, including great progress in

36 Annual Report 2017–2018

As the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the

Building on its long-standing it garnered support to transform the

On humanitarian issues, the Forum

Annual Report 2017–2018 37

38 Annual Report 2017–2018

Annual Report 2017–2018 39

40 Annual Report 2017–2018