Global Agenda Councils

In 2008, the World Economic Forum created the Network of Global Agenda Councils, comprising Councils on the foremost topics in the global arena.

Each of these Councils convenes relevant thought leaders from academia, government, business and other fields to capture the best knowledge on each key issue and integrate it into global collaboration and decision-making processes.

As multistakeholder groups formed to advance knowledge and collaboratively develop solutions to the most crucial issues on the global agenda, the Councils represent transformational innovation in global governance. Specifically, the Councils monitor key trends, identify global risks, map interrelationships and address knowledge gaps. Equally important, Councils also put forward ideas and recommendations to address global challenges.

Council Members meet virtually and at the Summit on the Global Agenda in the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, they are fully integrated into the broader Forum Community and are regular panellists in sessions at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, and at the Forum’s Regional Meetings and Industry Activities.

In a global environment marked by short-term orientation and silo-thinking, Councils foster interdisciplinary and long-range thinking to address the prevailing challenges on the global agenda.

Visualize the Global Agenda Councils 

The public debt crisis emerged as the top trend likely to impact the global economy in the next 12 to 18 months, according to a survey of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Councils. The report identified the following as important trends facing the global agenda in 2012: uncertain economic outlook, global power shifts, digital revolution, political entrenchments, instability of financial markets, scarcity of resources, climate change, and unemployment and inequality.

This short film provides an example of how the Network of Global Agenda Councils is working to address the key risks and opportunities facing our world