WEF named risks after the end of the coronavirus pandemic

The World Economic Forum (WEF) notes that after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to rising inflation and slower economic growth, climate change and natural disasters continue to be among the main global risks. In addition, the WEF considers misinformation and lack of public awareness to be one of the most important risks. The risks also included increased social polarization, increased armed conflicts and technological threats.

Ahead of the annual forum starting next week in Davos, Switzerland, the WEF has published its annual report Global Risks Report about the most significant threats to the world and humanity. “Looking back at 2023, a number of events have captured the attention of people around the world. Some regions have seen deadly conflicts, from Sudan to Gaza to Israel. Others experienced record high temperatures, drought, wildfires and floods,” the report said. “Many countries saw rising public discontent, social polarization, and violent protests, clashes and strikes. And although some destabilizing factors, such as the military conflict in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly reduced, the long-term effect of these events could bring new global shocks.”

• In the short term – the next two years – the WEF considers the problem of disinformation and poor awareness to be the main global risk.
• In second place are weather risks,
• the third is social polarization.

Also in the top 10 short-term risks were cybersecurity threats, interstate military conflicts, lack of opportunities for economic growth, inflation, forced migration, slowdown in economic activity and environmental pollution. year previously The WEF saw inflation as the number one threat in the short term. Also among the top three most dangerous global risks in 2023 were extreme weather events and social polarization.

As for the long-term period – ten years – here the WEF sees extreme weather conditions as the main global risk.

The top 10 long-term risks also included critical changes in the Earth’s ecosystem, reduction in biodiversity, lack of natural resources, misinformation and lack of awareness, possible negative consequences from the rapid development of AI technologies, forced migration, threats to cybersecurity, social polarization, and environmental pollution. In 2023, the WEF ranked people’s inability to cope with global climate change at the top of its list of long-term risks. Second and third places were taken, respectively, by the inability to adapt to climate change and natural disasters.

Describing the main global threat for the near future – disinformation and lack of information – the WEF notes that “these phenomena are increasing social and political divisions. Over the next two years, nearly 3 billion people in the US, UK, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh will head to the polls. Against this backdrop, the rise of disinformation, coupled with a lack of public awareness, could undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments. Growing public discontent could lead to mass protests and crimes motivated by hate and intolerance, as well as civil confrontations and an increase in terrorism.”

The report also notes that misinformation and lack of awareness have negative impacts on people even outside of elections: “Polarization of public sentiment can negatively impact a range of important components of public life, from health care to social justice. Against this background, the risks of increased local propaganda and censorship are growing. Freedom of access to the internet, media and wider sources of information is already being reduced in a number of places, resulting in widespread restrictions on the flow of information in many countries around the world.”

Evgeny Khvostik