The world economic forum released a report saying that the world faces five major risks in 2020
The annual meeting of the world economic forum once again attracted global attention. Nearly 3000 leaders from all walks of life from 117 countries and regions will attend the 50th annual meeting of the world economic forum. This annual meeting will, as always, highlight the theme of the development of the times, seek common ground while reserving differences in exchange and dialogue, gather global ideas, and work with forces from all walks of life to jointly seek the road of global development.
Before the annual meeting, the world economic forum released the 15th global risk report (2020), which said that in 2020, the world will face five major risks, including geopolitical instability, further slowdown of the global economy, more violent climate change, increased threats to Cyberspace Security and increased global political and economic inequality. In the face of these challenges, the international community and stakeholders should take immediate action to address them.
The report lists five major risks facing the world in 2020. First, the instability of geopolitical structure has triggered global turmoil. The imbalance of world economic, demographic and technological forces has led to new geopolitical instability. The long-standing international pattern and values of the multilateral system have been questioned. Countries are increasingly responding to challenges and pursuing their own goals through unilateralism and nationalism.
Second, economic stability and social cohesion are threatened. Macroeconomic fragility and financial inequality have put downward pressure on the global economy and increased the risk of economic slowdown. As leaders of some countries continue to promote nationalist policies, low trade barriers, prudent fiscal policies and strong global investment, once regarded as positive factors for economic growth, are being eroded, The scope for monetary and fiscal policy stimulus measures has narrowed than before the international financial crisis, and macroeconomic uncertainty has increased. In addition, economic confrontation between countries and domestic political differentiation are also major risks. Affected by the bleak economic outlook, people are dissatisfied with the current situation, the way governments of many countries deal with major economic and social problems is also unpopular, and protests occur frequently all over the world, which weakens the ability of governments to take decisive action in the event of economic downturn. Countries will lack the financial resources, political capital and social support needed to deal with major global risks.
Third, the climate crisis is imminent and the loss of biodiversity is accelerating. In the past five years, natural disasters have become more and more serious and frequent. Last year, the world witnessed unprecedented extreme weather. Climate experts warned that rising global temperatures will lead to serious life and property, economic, social, environmental and geopolitical consequences. The superposition of the short-term effects of climate change will eventually lead to major global emergencies. Environmental issues rank first in the global long-term risks. The aggravation of biodiversity loss will have a vital negative impact on mankind, with a high probability of risk, and the rate of species extinction is accelerating compared with the past.
Fourth, the digital divide and network inequality threaten the healthy development of the global economy. Although the development of digital technology and network has brought huge economic and social benefits to the world, the inequality of Internet access, the lack of global technology governance framework, the prominent problem of network security and the fragmentation of cyberspace constitute major risks, including the collapse of information infrastructure, and also threaten the excavation and utilization of the potential of next-generation network technology.
Fifth, the health care system is facing unprecedented pressure. New changes have taken place in social, environmental, demographic and technological models. Cardiovascular diseases and mental diseases have replaced infectious diseases as the main cause of human death. The prolongation of life span and the increase of economic and social costs caused by the management of chronic diseases have made the health care systems of many countries face crisis.
The report predicts that 2020 will be a year of geopolitical turmoil, intensified international differentiation and slowing economic growth, and unilateralism may continue to prevail. The report also predicts the global environmental risk points in the next 10 years, including extreme weather events that cause major damage such as property loss, infrastructure damage and human life loss; The failure of the measures taken by the government and enterprises to deal with climate change; Man made environmental damage and accompanying disasters, including soil damage and the spread of radioactive pollution; The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem collapse (land and sea) have irreversible consequences for the environment, and the natural resources on which human beings depend are seriously depleted; Major natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and geomagnetic storms occur frequently. (Economic Daily reporter Yang Haiquan)
Source: China Economic Net - Economic Daily
