Davos 2022: The key themes and why they matter

20th May 2022 | By Gay Flashman - CEO, Formative Content

Much of the world’s media attention is focused on the small ski resort of Davos-Klosters this week, for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting – the first in two years.

The meeting is not only the first opportunity world leaders have had to gather at Davos since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but comes at a crucial time in global history.

Many of the discussions taking place will shape solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges – and set the agenda for public-private collaboration in the year ahead.

What is the theme of Davos 2022?

The official theme for the meeting is History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies.

Two years of a global pandemic, followed by the war in Ukraine, has affected the lives of millions. Rising energy prices, combined with the continuing effects of COVID-19 on supply chains have seen historic inflation rises across the globe, causing a cost-of-living crisis.

And this against the backdrop of severe drought and wildfires in parts of the world as climate change-related natural disasters increase in frequency.

To address such a wide range of urgent issues, including the global economic and geopolitical situation, climate crisis and food and energy security, the Forum has split its programme of high-level talks into eight key themes:

Climate and Nature
Fairer Economies
Tech and Innovation
Jobs and Skills
Better Business
Health and Healthcare
Global Cooperation
Society and Equity

Who is attending Davos 2022?

The Annual Meeting brings together leaders from across the globe – from the worlds of business, politics and civil society.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is delivering a Special Address, and other sessions are focused on the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and the future of democracy.

As Finland and Sweden seek to join NATO, its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in attendance at Davos for a Special Address.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is also giving a Special Address, alongside the leaders of Spain, Iraq, Greece, Austria, Germany and Israel.

Key sessions at Davos 2022

Besides the Special Addresses, there are 200 panel sessions taking place over the four days, each pegged to one of the key themes and all live streamed at wef.ch/wef22. On the Forum’s social media channels, you’ll find live updates, blogs and videos under the hashtag #wef22.

Key sessions this year include:

Energy Outlook: Overcoming the Crisis, featuring the International Energy Agency’s Executive Director, Fatih Birol
Averting a Global Food Crisis, with David Beasley, Executive Director of the UN’s World Food Programme
Global Economic Outlook, with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
A Cost of Living Crisis, with the UN Development Programme’s Achim Steiner and Oxfam International’s Gabriela Bucher
Safeguarding Our People and Planet, with the US Special Presidential Climate Envoy, John F. Kerry
Turning Up the Heat on Greenwashing, with former US Vice President, Al Gore.
Preparing for the Next Pandemic, featuring Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Bill Gates.

My Formative colleagues and I are on the ground at Davos this week, with many other team members working remotely to support the World Economic Forum with its coverage.

Keep an eye on my LinkedIn account to catch the key takeaways from each day’s sessions.

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