What to expect at the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development

1,000 leaders from more than 90 countries are set to gather at the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

Building on the inaugural Growth Summit, held in Geneva, Switzerland last year, the meeting, 28–29 April 2024 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will revolve around three themes: revitalizing global collaboration; a compact for inclusive growth; and catalysing action on energy for development.

The event bridges the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition and geopolitical shocks.

The meeting’s programme includes a variety of pressing global issues. Topics include geopolitical upheavals notably the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza; defining and designing new types of economic growth and job creation to improve living standards globally; advancements in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; the restructuring of supply chains; and the need to advance an equitable and sustainable energy transition.

Here are some of the public sessions to watch:

North to South, East to West: Rebuilding Trust: 8:45–9:30

Droughts, Floods and Wildfires: Preparing for the Resilience Era: 11:30–12:15

The Rise of Green Molecules: 13:15–14:00

Labour Markets Preparing for the Next Generation: 13:15–14:00

Banking amid Uncertainties: 14:30–15:15

People, Policy, Finance: Realizing an Equitable Energy Transition: 14:30–15:15

The Roadmap to Tripling Renewables by 2030: 15:45–16:30

Economic Perspectives for the Middle East and North Africa: 15:45–16:30

What Kind of Growth Do We Need?: 17:00–17:45

AI, Productivity, Work: Can We Have it All?: 17:00–17:45

Rising Powers for a Multipolar World: 9:00–9:45

Energy Demand: Turning Costs to Gains: 9:00–9:45

Food and Water for All: 10:15–11:00

Investing amid Global Fracture: 10:15–11:00

The Role of New Nuclear: 11:30–12:15

The Business Case for the Energy Transition: 13:15–14:00

Middle East Under Stress: 13:15–14:00

The Economics of the Oil and Gas Industry: 14:30–15:15

Rejuvenating Growth: 16:00–17:00

A number of insights and announcements from the Forum will be released during the meeting as participants engage in much-needed dialogue, mutual understanding, respect for different values, collaboration and action around areas of common interest and public good.

Follow the event here. Discover the meeting overview. Read about the themes and access live coverage, insights and opinion from Forum thought leaders here. Track the programme and watch public sessions here.