Torsten Raak’s Post

🚨 Davos 2024: Where the World’s Heavyweights Came to Play 🚨 Another year, another whirlwind of ideas, debates, and bold promises at the #WorldEconomicForum. But let’s be real—Davos isn’t just about fancy speeches and snow-capped selfies. It’s where the world’s biggest minds (and egos) collide to shape the future. This year’s theme? “Rebuilding Trust.” (Spoiler: We’ve got a long way to go.) From AI’s double-edged sword to the climate crisis ticking like a time bomb, the stakes have never been higher. But here’s the good news: the energy in the room was electric. Leaders aren’t just talking—they’re *finally* starting to act. 🔥 My Hot Takes from #WEF24: ✅ AI is the new oil—but let’s not spill it. Ethics and governance need to catch up, fast. ✅ Sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s survival. The green revolution is here, and it’s non-negotiable. ✅ Trust is the ultimate currency. Without it, even the best ideas will fail. But here’s the thing: Davos isn’t just about the big names on stage. It’s about us—the doers, the dreamers, the disruptors—taking these ideas and running with them. So, what’s your move? How will you turn these global conversations into local action? Let’s ditch the echo chamber and get to work. The future won’t build itself. 💪 #Davos2024 #WEF24 #Innovation #Leadership #LetsGetToWork

Since LinkedIn is currently flooded with posts and pictures from Davos, I wanted to reshare my tongue-in-cheek take on the event. I originally posted it last week, but with Davos now in full swing, it feels like the perfect moment for a repost. The Real Debate? Maybe, but You’ll Miss It Defenders of Davos will tell you that the event’s true value lies in the debate—the exchange of ideas that shapes global policy. And sure, some important conversations do happen. Grand ideas like stakeholder capitalism and climate action have been championed here. But let’s not kid ourselves: most panels are little more than polite echo chambers. Instead of fiery debates, you’re more likely to find: Nod-Along Panels: Everyone agrees that we need more sustainability, better governance, and inclusive growth. But the specifics? Those are left for another day. Buzzword Bingo: ESG, AI ethics, the circular economy—take your pick. The vocabulary is as predictable as the coffee breaks. It’s not that these ideas don’t matter—they do. But Davos often feels like a performance of importance, rather than a catalyst for meaningful change.

A united world is more prosperous, more resilient, and more prepared. At Allianz, fostering unity is foundational to creating the conditions for prosperity and resilience that in turn shape a better future.   To do this, we must address what people clearly tell us matters most to them and provide for their essential needs: safety, affordable healthcare and housing, jobs, and infrastructure. The collective ability to deliver on this social contract is increasingly being challenged, notably in light of more frequent and severe natural catastrophes, and new systems and solutions are required. These will demand courageous leadership that crosses party lines, bold and creative thinking, and cross-sector collaboration.   The World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos presents an important platform for business and world leaders to address the underlying factors driving the trust gap and to explore collaborative solutions. I am here at Davos this week with my Allianz colleagues to strengthen the partnerships needed for a collective response to polarization and rebuilding social cohesion. I’m discussing these themes at Davos on a panel addressing “The Rise of Economic Nationalism,” in a conversation with Karen Tso from CNBC and on Allianz.com in the article titled “Why the power of unity is key to building a more prosperous world”. You can view all these materials via the links below. Thank you to Karen Tso for the opportunities to share my thinking on creating a more united and therefore a more prosperous future. We’re in this together. I welcome hearing your perspectives.    #WEF2025 #PowerOfUnity #Allianz  

The World Unites in Davos: Shaping the Intelligent Age The annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is underway, bringing together 3,000 global leaders to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time. This year’s theme, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” challenges us to rethink how we approach critical topics like global economic divisions, technological impact, and climate change. Key conversations are centered around: 🔹 Dealmaking and deregulation 🔹 Threats to global trade 🔹 Innovative solutions for a more united, resilient world As Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte shared, unity is the foundation of prosperity and resilience. Addressing societal needs—safety, affordable healthcare, infrastructure—requires bold leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to rebuilding trust. Events like Davos remind us of the power of collective action. When business, political, and social leaders come together, we can spark meaningful change. What global issue would you most like to see addressed at Davos? Let's discuss below! #Davos2025 #Collaboration #GlobalLeadership #WEF2025 #EconomicResilience

👉 “When discord replaces common purpose, economic growth stagnates. These publicly observable trends are supplemented by Allianz’s own research, which shows that people see polarization as damaging to economic prosperity and their personal wealth. About 69% of respondents surveyed expressed a lack of confidence in the ability of political leadership to work together to solve problems. Such increased partisanship undermines the strength of democratic institutions, social cohesion and trust in functioning markets and economies. 💡Conversely, a more united world is a world that is more prosperous, more confident and more prepared to meet future challenges. In a world increasingly characterized by division, the concept of unity emerges as a societal imperative and an economic necessity. …five areas where we believe we can build common ground: ✅ Education and skill-building ✅ Promoting dialogue and respectful debate ✅ Research and insights ✅ Community engagement ✅ Corporate responsibility and partnerships 🚨…global business has a fundamental and permanent role to play in encouraging social cohesion…What could be more “pro-business” than to work towards a more united and prosperous world? Now is the time to come together and act.” https://lnkd.in/gWiAuJT6 Daniel Peter Kara Sue Ellen David Robbie Panthea Hugh Claudia Lucy Deb Dimitra Lawrence Mark Karen Christina Keegan Kris Joe Amanda Celine Kristin Josh Matt Andrew Justin Elizabeth Seth Dave Christopher Elizabeth Patrick

The World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos is just around the corner, and this year's theme is "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age." This theme is particularly relevant as we navigate a world of increasing complexity and interconnectedness. The Forum has identified five key themes that will be the focus of discussions at Davos 2025:  * Rebuilding trust: In a world of increasing polarization, it is more important than ever to rebuild trust between people and institutions.  * Reimagining growth: We need to find new ways to create sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone.  * Investing in people: We need to invest in education and training to prepare people for the jobs of the future.  * Safeguarding the planet: We need to take action to address climate change and other environmental challenges.  * Industries in the intelligent age: We need to ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are shared by all. I am excited to see how these themes are explored at Davos 2025. I believe that collaboration is essential to solving the challenges we face today, and I hope that the Forum will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and action. Additional points to consider:  * You may want to add a personal touch to your post by sharing your own thoughts on the themes of Davos 2025.  * You can also use the hashtag #Davos2025 to reach a wider audience

Day Four and Five - Davos, Key Updates Day Four: Technology, and Creating Solutions: Day four at Davos, highlighted the importance of technology, and the usage of technology to explore solutions rather than creating problems. The discussions emphasized utilising technological innovations as a means to explore solutions to global challenges, improving productivity, rather than inadvertently creating new problems. Furthermore, leaders discussed the importance of maintaining resilience when coming to face with external, emerging threats, whilst stressing the need for adaptive strategies and flexible frameworks that ensure societies and economies can effectively withstand and recover from crises. Day Five: Development and Land Restoration: Day five at Davos adopted a sustainability-centered approach, bringing attention to critical areas of improvement within global economies. With challenges such as declining agricultural productivity, polluted waterways, and the increasing frequency of external shocks like droughts. Leaders from politics, business, and civil society convened to discuss the far-reaching consequences of these issues and presented strategies to reverse the damaging trends. A central theme of the day was the dire need for land restoration, discussions emphasised the importance of implementing sustainable practices to ensure long term productivity. Davos 2025 has efficaciously, demonstrated its value as a platform for addressing global challenges. From celebrating cultural achievements to tackling sustainability, technological innovation, and geopolitical risks, the event underscores the importance of collaboration across sectors.

After an intense week of learning, engaging, and reconnecting at the World Economic Forum annual meeting 2025 in Davos, I’m sitting again on the train heading home—this time a bit less confused and more focused. The message was clear: despite the noise, climate action remains central, and collaboration is key. This really reassured me. Leaders across industries emphasized that decarbonization isn’t just a responsibility—it’s an opportunity. Investors stressed that actions, not affiliations, define progress. And through it all, I was reminded that real change happens when we work together, across sectors and perspectives. After a much-needed weekend of rest, I’ll be re-energized and ready to jump back in. Let’s turn ideas into action and make 2025 count. PS: The Forum’s exceptional team has compiled a few more insights, which you can discover 👇 #WEF25 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Collaboration

🇨🇭 B4NZ is heading to Davos! 🇨🇭 We’re excited to share that B4NZ will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos at the end of January. This is a pivotal moment for us to represent our ecosystem on the global stage, engaging with financial institutions, businesses, and policymakers to advance the transition to net zero. Our key priorities for Davos include: 🔑 Building Global Connections: Strengthening relationships with the financial and business leaders driving change. 🤝 Amplifying Our Mission: Showcasing the power of collaboration in integrating sustainability into finance and policy. 🌟 Highlighting Our Workstreams: - Empowering SMEs to adopt sustainable practices. - Scaling solutions for retrofitting and energy efficiency. - Mobilising finance for emerging economies, our newest and critical focus area. This is an important step in ensuring our collective efforts—within our ecosystem and beyond—are aligned with global goals. We’d love to connect with others in Davos working towards the same vision. Let’s make 2025 the year we turn ambition into action! SEC Newgate UK Bloomberg Green Axios The Female Quotient Goals House Project Everyone Mastercard Oliver Wyman Climeworks World Climate Foundation Naomi Kerbel Ana Kreacic Jason Zimmermann

As we approach the #WorldEconomicForum in Davos, the WEF has published its annual #GlobalRisksReport2025. Once again, climate change and biodiversity loss are highlighted as the foremost risks to the global economy over the next decade, affecting supply chains, resource availability, and value creation. Governments and companies that recognize the essential economic and ecological interdependencies for their future viability have a significant opportunity to #transform early and #lead global markets by adopting sustainable business models and innovative technologies. For more in-depth insights, you can find further details in the full report linked in the comments section. #GlobalRisksReport2025 #Transformation #Leadership #Innovation