This year’s annual World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting set in the picturesque Alpine views of Davos, Switzerland, brought together international world leaders to discuss trade, global economy, climate change, and political tensions. There was a dark
cloud hovering over the conference this year, encapsulating the geopolitical turmoil waging in 2025.
To kick off, the event saw numerous protests from environmental-first organisations, with activists from
Greenpeace being arrested for slipping into the conference, broadcasting the message "Tax the super-rich. Fund a just and green future", and young people seen holding protests outside the conference, calling for the end of billionaire control of public
resources and political decision-making.
There were five key focuses for the meeting this year, under the banner of the main theme ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’:
- Reimagining Growth,
- Rebuilding Trust,
- Safeguarding the Planet,
- Industries in the Intelligent Age, and
- Investing in People.
The WEF
Global Risks whitepaper outlined urgent risks in facing our world that were discussed in the event, which had ‘extreme weather events’ and ‘misinformation and disinformation’ among the top five. With ‘state-based armed conflict’ being the topmost risk,
this indicates a further geopolitical fragmentation in our future and further divides in trade, seeing US policy shift away from environmental protection (even amid the devastating LA fires) and AI deepfakes that populated news cycles during multiple elections
in 2024.
While they were a lot of discussions that took place at the event, what were the key highlights from Davos for fintech and
sustainable finance?
All eyes on AI
AI was a buzzword at Davos this year, highlighting the overwhelming potential and power of the technology to revolutionise digitalisation and innovation across fields, but also pointing to the debilitating impact of AI on
the dissemination of false information and mass usage of energy in a time when numerous global leaders are transitioning to clean energy sources.
The meeting discussed how governments and companies are pouring funds into AI developments and technology. In a panel discussion on AI, CEOs of PepsiCo,
Accenture, Sanofi, and the president of Saudi Aramco indicated how AI will be deployed across businesses, highlighting how AI can be implemented in
hyperpersonalisation for consumer goods and
energy efficiency.
OpenAI’s product chief Kevin Weil
announced the incoming rise of AI agents, which will essentially actas everyone’s personal assistant, forewarning an intimidating yet exciting revolution of AI capabilities.
The event also highlighted how AI is being integrated into education through the WEF’s
Reskilling Revolution initiative.
US moves away from sustainability under Trump
WMO reported that 2024
was the hottest year on record, following the trend where of the last ten years have now formed the top ten hottest years in history, and 2025 is expected to join the ranks. As global climate emergencies continue to grow worse year on year, the US has announced
withdrawal from many climate initiatives.
Shortly after Trump’s inauguration as the president of the US, the
Federal Reserve pulled out of Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), and
US banks pulled out of the Net Zero Banking Alliance. Trump announced that he would freeze the $300 million budget allocated for green infrastructure.
Contrary to these developments, in the commitment to further green finance funding,
a Davos panel pointed to the need for businesses to gain funding from banks, private capital, and wealth funds to push for green initiatives.
President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission launched the
Global Energy Transition Forum, which strategised methods and funding to make the 2030 deadline to tripe renewable energy usage and double energy efficiency.
Crytpo revolution incoming
This year’s meeting marked the first panel on cryptocurrency, titled ‘Crypto at a Crossroads’ featuring leaders from
AWS,
Coinbase, South African Reserve Bank, Skybridge Capital, the Stellar Development Foundation, and Franklin Templeton.
Chief executive at Stellar Development Foundation, a nonprofit that generates access to financial systems using
blockchain, Denelle Dixon
detailed: “There's not a lot of focus on the actual utility, the velocity of all of the assets, what's actually happening on chain that's really transformational. The point of this technology is that you can move assets extremely quickly, peer-to-peer,
and get them, without borders, all over the world. Just think about the UNHCR. They're delivering aid into Ukraine [using blockchain]. The end user receives it in less than three minutes. That's crazy, but that's what blockchain does.”
The discussion centred on the pickup in
stablecoins, regulatory scrutiny, and the applications of blockchain.
There were also discussions of AI and crypto collaborations, among the controversy wrought by Trump’s crypto
$TRUMP entering the market. Blockchain and real-world assets will be paving the path towards AI adoption according to leaders in the space.
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase,
finalised: “Crypto can be a refuge from inflation and ensure property rights for everyone with a smartphone and internet connection.”