no.2
News and events from the global economic arena.
First, I would like to share a few takeaways from my WEF2026 Davos visit last week
a. Overall, the following buzzwords dominated the discussions: uncertainty, resilience, geoeconomics, trust, growth, climate and AI. I felt an urge for action by many, a need to tackle challenges by doers in the midst of a leadership crisis. Great speeches by heads of states and business leaders but the ‘talk must be walked’.
b. I was inspired by a great session at the Climate Hub by GreenUp Switzerland. It was great to hear the realistic view of the speakers from different sectors, and at the same time their enthusiasm and optimism to make the post fossil fuel economy a reality. Climate change is here to stay (believe it or not) and we need to adapt the economy in a sustainable manner. I’ve been advocating for long-term strategic planning and choices being based on this megatrend.
c. The session about Strategic Foresight for Cities drew a very distinguished audience and I felt honored to share my views about the use of strategic foresight methods and tools, including for urban development. The value of embedded foresight practices seems to materialize in business profitability and macroeconomic resilience amidst geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions. Feel free to reach out to me, in case you are interested in applying foresight but not sure where to start!
Second, about economic growth and productivity slowdown – a research area close to my heart -, which was also a key topic at the Forum sessions. I’ve spoken up against the slowly but surely lost competitiveness of the European Union over Asia and now the Middle East and Africa. It was great to hear – finally – about new European investment, innovation and export promotion policies. I believe it is the minute after the last one but better late than never. If policies are critically identified in a forward looking way, Europe can still manage to keep its economic size and strength for the coming decades. I believe that diversification is one of the pillars for resilience both for businesses and macroeconomies. We should admit that Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth, which described a development path from agricultural through manufacturing to services-based societies, may not be the right model. A diversified, well-balanced economy with all three main sectors being present, taken into account country-specificities, can better sustain growth and resilience for the long term.