The World Needs to Wake Up to Long-Term Risks
Aylin Elci, Public Engagement, World Economic Forum, +41 75 404 10 95, [email protected]
In 2020, the world saw the catastrophic effects of ignoring long-term risks such as pandemics, now an immediate risk according to the Global Risks Report 2021 released today
The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing disparities and social fragmentation, in the next 3-5 years will threaten the economy, and in the next 5-10 years will weaken geopolitical stability
Meanwhile, environmental concerns still top the list in terms of likelihood and impact for the next decade
Read the full report here and find out more about the Global Risks Initiative here. Join the conversation using
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed millions of lives, but
it also widened long-standing health, economic and digital disparities.
Billions of caregivers, workers and students – especially minorities who were disadvantaged before the pandemic – are now at risk of missing pathways to the new and fairer societies that the recovery could unlock.
Speaking at the WEF Global Risks press conference, Børge Brende, president, World Economic Forum, described it as a liveihood crisis. ”Future growth has to be more inclusive and sustainable. If we don’t address this we will also see new risks when it comes to the fragmentation in society. That is one of the most important findings this year.”