Leaders of the World: Achieving Inclusive Growth Through a People-Centered Approach

The World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development kicked off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a strong message on the importance of inclusive growth and human capital development. Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia, stressed the need to invest in people’s skills, education, and well-being to create a global economy that works for everyone.

The event brought together 1,000 global leaders from over 80 countries to find collaborative solutions to shared challenges in a time when the world is facing a “recession of cooperation”. The focus was on leveraging technology to make this decade the “Transformational Twenties” by ensuring the benefits of growth are fairly shared.

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, highlighted the transformative role of technology in driving sustainable growth. She emphasized the importance of balancing the energy trilemma of security, equity, and sustainability, calling for investments in clean and renewable solutions.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, spoke about the potential for profound technological change in the coming years, envisioning an age of intelligent economies driven by AI and shared abundance. Peter Orszag, CEO of Lazard, called for better policy-making to address the social challenges and economic shifts brought about by the energy transition.

The Special Meeting aims to facilitate dialogue on global collaboration, sustainable growth, and a global energy transition for sustainable development. With leaders from diverse backgrounds coming together to tackle pressing issues, the event sets the stage for meaningful action towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.