World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 takes place after two-year hiatus

The World Economic Forum, taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, takes the theme of ‘History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies’.

The meeting is taking place after a two-year hiatus, bringing together up to 2,500 leaders and experts from around the globe to discuss various sectors, including the road ahead for the energy transition.

In announcing the forum Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, stated: “The Annual Meeting is the first summit that brings global leaders together in this new situation characterised by an emerging multipolar world as a result of the pandemic and war.

“The fact that nearly 2,500 leaders from politics, business civil society and media come together in person demonstrates the need for a trusted, informal and action-oriented global platform to confront the issues in a crisis-driven world.”

Also of interest:
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No energy transition without collaboration and innovation

Over the course of the next few days, the Annual Meeting’s programme will cover an extensive variety of topics. many of which will relate to the energy sector.

Some such topics include:

The global energy landscape and markets are being radically reshaped as governments and businesses respond to the crisis and reduce dependence on Russian energy. To halt the energy crisis and provide greater energy security and sustainability, what priority issues require action by governments and companies?

Speakers include Jason Bordoff (Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy), Hardeep Singh Puri (Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs), Catherine MacGregor (Engie CEO), Vicki Hollub (Occidental Petroleum CEO), Robert Habeck (Vice Chancellor of Germany and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) and Fatih Birol (International Energy Agency Executive Director).

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook report indicates that cyberattacks increased 125% globally in 2021, with evidence suggesting a continued uptick through 2022. How can leaders better prepare for future cyber shocks? What individual and collective actions will foster a more secure and resilient digital ecosystem?

Speakers include Karen Tso (Television Journalist and Anchor at CNBC Europe), Chander Prakash Gurnani (CEO & Managing Director of Tech Mahindra), Jürgen Stock (Secretary General of INTERPOL), Josephine Teo (Singapore Minister for Communications & Information and Minister-in-charge of the Cyber Security Agency and Smart Nation Initiative) and Robert M. Lee (Founder and CEO at Dragos Inc.).

Digital technologies could help reduce global carbon emissions by up to 20% – over one third of the 2030 global goal. With decarbonisation roadmaps now becoming clearer and more mature across sectors, businesses and governments must rapidly scale up digital innovation for net zero. What strategies, policies and partnerships can accelerate progress?

Speakers include Karen Karniol-Tambour (Bridgewater Associates Co-Chief Investment Officer for Sustainability), Christian Klein (Chief Executive Officer of SAP), Jean-Pascal Tricoire (CEO of Schneider Electric), José María Álvarez-Pallete (CEO of Telefónica) and Zoe Yujnovich (Upstream Director at Shell).

• Energy security and the European Green Deal (May 24)

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of European Union energy supplies and underlined the importance of the energy transition to Europe’s energy security. In this radical new context, what role can the European Green Deal play in strengthening the EU’s geopolitical position in the world?

Speakers include Francine Lacqua (Editor-at-Large and Presenter, Bloomberg Television), Pedro Sánchez (Prime Minister of Spain, Office of the Prime Minister of Spain), Anna Borg (President and Chief Executive Officer, Vattenfall AB), Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, European Commission), Ester Baiget (President and Chief Executive Officer, Novozymes A/S) and Gitanas Nausėda (President of Lithuania, Office of the President of Lithuania)

• Clean energy superpowers (May 25)

The geopolitical landscape is being roiled as governments and businesses move towards cleaner energy while responding to the most severe energy crisis since the 1970s. What would it take for future clean energy “superpower” nations and companies to build resilient and affordable energy systems?

Speakers include Steve Sedgwick (Anchor, CNBC), Hage G. Geingob (President of the Republic of Namibia, Office of the President of Namibia), Sumant Sinha (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ReNew Power Limited), Henrik Andersen (Chief Executive Officer, Vestas Wind Systems A/S) and Teresa Ribera (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition, Ministry for the Ecological Transition of Spain and the Demographic Challenge).

A full list of confirmed public figures can be accessed online.