World Economic Forum

Addressing global concern on climate change and water to have greatest impact on Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 16 June 2008 – Climate change and water shortage have emerged as the top issue with the greatest impact on Asia, according to a survey of business leaders by the World Economic Forum. The survey showed that an overwhelming 81% of the 55 business leaders voted for “addressing growing global concern over environmental challenges such as climate change and water” as the top choice of issues with potential impact on Asia.

Other major concerns include “preventing political and economic instability linked to rising food and energy prices” and “managing the social, environmental and infrastructural implications of rapid urbanization”.    » read more »

Threat of protectionism is on the rise and will hurt Asia and rest of the world

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 15 June 2008 – The prevailing global economic slowdown is fuelling the rise of protectionism in Western economies, noted Lord Levene, Chairman, Lloyd’s, United Kingdom. In a plenary discussion on global risks at the World Economic Forum on East Asia, he observed that there are worrying signs that politicians in Europe and US are prepared to put in place policies to shield their domestic industries.    » read more »

Government actions behind two-thirds of food price increase

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 16 June 2008 – Business leaders at the World Economic Forum on East Asia highlighted the role of government in food price increases, warning of mounting unrest and protectionism if urgent actions are not taken.    » read more »

Farmers need resources for next planting season; Experts are optimistic about solving the problem

Cape Town, South Africa, 5 June 2008 – Governments, multilateral organizations and aid agencies should ensure that African smallholders receive the inputs they need for the next planting season and create the conditions for sustained growth in agriculture to defuse what Jacob G. Zuma, President of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa, called a “time bomb” of food prices that could lead to an “uprising” should the poor be “cut out from buying food”.    » read more »

Climbing food and energy prices could threaten the progress that Latin American economies have made in recent years as well as the stability of the region, say Central American leaders.

Cancún, Mexico, 16 April 2008 – Central American leaders at the World Economic Forum on Latin America warned that the impact of climbing food and oil prices could undo recent gains that their economies have made.

A mother and daughter grind mandioca in Amazon region of Brazil: Photo by Julio Pantoja / World Bank (CC)    » read more »

Geneva, Switzerland, 9 April 2008 - Denmark is the most networked economy in the world, followed by Sweden and Switzerland, according to The Global Information Technology Report 2007-2008, released today by the World Economic Forum. Among the top ten, the Republic of Korea (9) and, to a lesser extent, the United States (4) post the most notable improvements (moving up 10 and 3 positions, respectively).

World Economic Forum Networked Readiness Index 2007-2008    » read more »

Switzerland, Austria and Germany still top the rankings

Geneva, Switzerland, 4 March 2008 – Switzerland, Austria and Germany have the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry, according to the second annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008, released today by the World Economic Forum. Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Canada and France complete the top-10 list.    » read more »