Publications

INSIGHT REPORT

Pioneering the Future: Space

Technologies Poised to Revolutionize

Exploration and Economy by 2035

September 2026

FACTSHEETS

Pioneering the Future: Space

Technologies Poised to Revolutionize Exploration and Economy by 2035

June 2026

WHITE PAPER

Future of Space Law:

Operationalizing Space Governance

March 2026

REPORT

Clear Orbit, Secure Future:

A Call to Action on Space Debris

Jan 2026

WHITE PAPER

The Future of Space Law

Insights from the ATS, UNCLOS, and ITU Frameworks

December 2025

WHITE PAPER

The Future of Space Law:

The Evolving Dynamics of Air and Space Regulation

September 2025

News

Centre for Space Futures, Novaspace and SpaceTech Gulf Sign Agreement to Develop Global Space Capability Mapping Dashboard

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , 23 Jun 2026| Press Release

Clear Orbit, Secure Future: A Call to Action on Space Debris

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26 Jan 2026 | Press Release

Centre for Space Futures Holds Workshop with Participation of 40 Global Experts

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 05 Dec 2025 | Press Release

Centre for Space Futures Releases White Paper on 'The Future of Space Law'

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12 Sep 2025 | Press Release

The Board of Directors of the Centre for Space Futures Endorses Its Strategic Direction

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2025 | Press Release

Saudi Space Agency to Launch the Centre for Space Futures with the World Economic Forum

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 29 April | Press Release

5 ways we can tackle growing risks from rocket bodies in orbit

Dec 09, 2025 | Economic Growth, Stories

Forum Videos

VIDEO

Press Conference: Centre for Space Futures in Riyadh

The World Economic Forum's Special Meeting, April 29, 2024

VIDEO

The Purpose of Astronauts at Davos 2024

World Economic Forum , March 9, 2024

VIDEO

PortWatch: Monitoring Trade Disruptions from Space

World Economic Forum , Dec 18, 2023

VIDEO

India's Moon Mission Triumph: Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj's Insights

World Economic Forum , Aug 23, 2023

VIDEO

Space Exploration is Back at Davos 2023

World Economic Forum , Feb 16, 2023

Forum Publications

REPORT

Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth

World Economic Forum , April 8, 2024

REPORT

Navigating the Industrial Metaverse: A Blueprint for Future Innovations

World Economic Forum , March 12, 2024

REPORT

Digital Trust: Supporting Individual Agency

World Economic Forum , Jan 18, 2024

REPORT

The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth

World Economic Forum , Jan 18, 2024

Strategic Intelligence Insights

Healthcare systems face rising costs due to aging populations, chronic diseases, labor shortages, and inefficiencies, with global spending projected to nearly double by 2040. Strategic productivity improvements utilizing AI, robotics, and quantum technology could reduce costs by up to $5.1 trillion annually, a 22% reduction. AI is evolving from task support to workflow orchestration, robotics is expanding automation in clinical and administrative tasks, and quantum tech promises advances in computing and diagnostics. Achieving these improvements requires major systemic changes, including increased tech investment, workforce training, aligned incentives, adaptive regulation, and cultural readiness, enabling a scalable, people-centered productivity reset without compromising care quality.

Financial services, Health, Education

A health productivity reset using AI, robotics, and quantum

Shipbuilding is vital for competitiveness, economic security, and energy efficiency, yet policy decisions often rely on incomplete and inconsistent data. Four main data challenges hinder effective policy: inconsistent statistical definitions, limited insight into value creation and productivity drivers, delayed recognition of emerging skills needs, and lack of standardized metrics for technological advancement and decarbonization. Strengthening shipbuilding data through improved definitions, labor intelligence, and innovation indicators, supported by OECD tools, is essential for better policy targeting, monitoring, and cross-country benchmarking to foster more resilient industrial policies.

Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Viet Nam | ICT, Education

Why data matters for shipbuilding industrial policy

UpLink bridges the gap between capital availability and market readiness, enabling ventures to scale in critical sectors such as water, climate, nature, cities, health, and emerging technologies. In 2025, over 139 ventures leveraging AI raised more than $850 million—a 53% increase from 2024—driving measurable social and environmental impact. These ventures treated 4.3 billion liters of wastewater and avoided 166,681 tonnes of carbon emissions, demonstrating significant progress in environmental and economic outcomes.

UpLink Annual Impact Report 2026

UpLink bridges the gap between capital availability and market readiness to help ventures scale in critical sectors like water, climate, cities, health, and emerging technologies. Over 139 UpLink Ventures leverage AI for scalable, data-driven impact, achieving significant environmental and social outcomes. In 2025, these ventures raised over $850 million, marking a 53% increase from 2024. They treated 4.3 billion liters of wastewater and avoided 166,681 tonnes of carbon emissions, demonstrating combined economic growth with substantial environmental and social benefits.

UpLink Annual Impact Report 2026

The Middle East conflict disrupts energy supplies, notably through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure, causing global oil and gas prices to surge. Higher energy costs increase food production and transportation expenses, impacting food prices worldwide. Developing countries are especially vulnerable as they depend heavily on food imports, with international price rises quickly translating into local price hikes within a month. Wheat prices tend to be highly sensitive, while crops like sorghum, primarily produced and consumed locally in developing nations, are less affected. Political factors also influence the extent of domestic price changes. To mitigate food insecurity, developing nations should strengthen local food production, improve storage and transport, and support vulnerable populations through targeted policies.

Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Ukraine | Financial services

Why developing nations could be the first to suffer as the Middle East conflict raises food prices

The United States and China have both adopted aggressive semiconductor industrial strategies, treating control over the supply chain as key to national security. China’s state support for its semiconductor industry is unprecedented, with government spending potentially reaching up to €140 billion between 2014 and 2024. The U.S. has comparable fiscal support, nearing €100 billion between 2022 and 2026, combining tax incentives, tariffs, and international trade agreements to bolster domestic capacity and reduce import dependency. These moves challenge the traditional market-driven semiconductor globalization, emphasizing semiconductors as critical infrastructure. Europe, revising its 2022 Chips Act amid this global landscape, faces decisions on how best to implement policies supporting its semiconductor ecosystem while navigating the assertive industrial nationalism of the U.S. and China.

Taiwan, China | Financial services, ICT

A New Economic Security Consensus ? Semiconductor Nationalism in China and the United States, and Europe’s Choices

Businesses are increasingly embracing a nature-positive economy as a source of resilience and profit, with sectors like precision agriculture, battery recycling, and bio-based materials showcasing cost savings and revenue generation. Despite ongoing harmful investments, the green economy has grown to an $8 trillion market, outperforming global equities by about 59% since 2008. Highlighting over 50 investible opportunities across 13 key sectors, these innovations offer economic returns alongside climate mitigation, job creation, and resilience. Developed by the World Economic Forum and Oliver Wyman, the report aims to guide corporate and financial leaders toward sustainable, industry-transforming investments.

Nigeria | Financial services

50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy

The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle hosts over 2,000 economic zones that have driven investment and job creation but largely operate in isolation, missing opportunities for integrated cross-border value chains. Shifts in global supply chains, geopolitical tensions, and environmental demands underscore the need to transform these zones into interconnected, green, and digital hubs. Key steps include establishing formal subregional cooperation frameworks, developing cross-border value chains in priority sectors like rubber and electronics, investing in carbon-smart infrastructures, and digitalizing zone operations to enhance governance and logistics. These measures aim to boost resilience, reduce emissions, lower costs, and increase competitiveness, positioning SEZs as pivotal engines for sustainable regional development.

Cambodia, Chile, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe | Financial services, ICT

5 Steps to Turn Isolated Special Economic Zones Into Integrated Hubs

Europe holds significant geoeconomic power, accounting for over 24% of global GDP, nearly equal to the United States and surpassing China. It possesses strategic assets in sectors like industrial robotics and pharmaceuticals but faces a "middle technology trap," lagging in innovation areas like AI and ICT. Europe's challenge lies in retaining capital for R&D investment domestically, as substantial funds flow to the US. To advance, Europe could adopt a “coalition of the willing” approach, where willing countries collaborate on economic initiatives without full EU consensus. Immediate challenges include navigating U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions impacting trade.

Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe | Financial services

From the Strait of Hormuz to geoeconomic strategies, Europe has more power than it believes

Asia’s extensive grasslands, covering about 8.9 million km², are crucial for food systems, climate stability, and livelihoods but face threats from land fragmentation, reduced pastoral mobility, and unsustainable use. These grasslands provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon storage and biodiversity, with economic values exceeding those of food production alone. Pastoralism, based on seasonal livestock mobility, sustains diverse livelihoods but is constrained by land conversion and access restrictions. Strengthening community-led governance, investing in well-managed grazing practices, restoring degraded rangelands, and aligning policies with sustainable financing are vital to maintaining grassland resilience and supporting both ecological functions and pastoral economies.

Bangladesh | Financial services, Health

Sustaining Asia’s Grasslands Through Smarter Governance and Investment

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will revolutionize astronomy by generating massive datasets—10 terabytes nightly and a total of 15 petabytes over ten years—covering the southern sky in unprecedented detail. International collaboration has enabled its data processing and access systems, yet the volume of transient data and false alerts necessitates machine learning and AI to identify and classify significant cosmic events efficiently. This reliance on automated analysis reflects a broader shift in modern astronomy toward code-intensive, tech-driven research supported by global partnerships and citizen science initiatives. AI will be critical in managing big data, allowing astronomers to focus on astrophysical discoveries rather than data sifting.

How big data is transforming what we know about the universe

Climate change and artificial intelligence are simultaneously reshaping societies, causing large-scale disruption and displacement. Disruption alters economic and social norms, while displacement involves the tangible loss of livelihoods, homes, and roles. Market-driven efficiency fails to address the unequal and costly transition people face. Proactive state governance is essential to manage these shifts equitably by anticipating climate migration, investing in resilient infrastructure, and implementing social protections and retraining programs to mitigate social and economic instability. Without such intervention, these transformations risk deepening inequality and societal alienation.

Nigeria | Financial services, Health, ICT, Education

Disruption and Displacement: Understanding the dual transformations of our time - LSE International Development

Streamlined, modular peace operations offer necessary agility but risk weakening core Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) functions critical for addressing conflict drivers and fostering sustainable security. Successful missions must balance being lighter and more flexible while maintaining strong advisory capacity to political leadership and grounding efforts in political strategy, conflict analysis, and governance reform. A modular approach, supported by networked expertise and strategic partnerships, can preserve essential governance foundations and enable scalable, inclusive, and accountable transitions, with the UN retaining ultimate responsibility.

Health

A modular mindset: Reframing security sector governance and reform in future peace operations

Georgia's competitiveness hinges on transitioning from commodity exports to high-value, green industries. Transforming its outdated free industrial zones into comprehensive special economic zones (SEZs) that incorporate circular economy principles can drive industrial upgrading, job creation, and compliance with EU environmental standards. By adopting closed-loop systems, green infrastructure, and unified legislation modeled on successful global examples, Georgia can become a regional hub for sustainable trade and innovation.

Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Moldova, Mozambique, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe | ICT

Comprehensive Special Economic Zones and the Circular Economy Model: Opportunities for Georgia

Akshay Joshi, Head of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity, highlights the growing impact of geopolitics on cybersecurity, noting that cyber threats—including those linked to conflicts like Ukraine and Iran—are increasing and affecting both targeted and collateral entities. He emphasizes the significant vulnerability of supply chains due to their complexity and dynamic security postures, especially amid global geopolitical tensions and shifting trade relationships. Joshi also stresses the variable nature of critical infrastructure depending on national contexts and calls for enhanced public-private cooperation to improve resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cyprus, Ghana, Haiti, India, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg, Qatar, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Financial services, ICT, Health, Education

Interview of The Week: Akshay Joshi On Cybersecurity

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics has pioneered stellarator fusion technology for over six decades, culminating in the Wendelstein 7-X device that proved its physics and manufacturing feasibility. Proxima Fusion, a commercial spin-off from the institute, aims to build Europe’s first commercial fusion power plant by the 2030s, leveraging recent advances in superconducting magnets, computational design, and engineering. Unlike tokamaks, stellarators like Wendelstein 7-X have the advantage of continuous operation without disruptive plasma instabilities, making them promising for stable, large-scale clean energy production. Europe’s integration of science, industry, and policy gives it a credible path to lead in commercial fusion energy.

Why Europe Has A Credible Path To Becoming A Fusion Energy Power

NASA aims to establish a permanent Moon base by 2030, focusing on the lunar south pole due to its access to water ice and near-constant solar illumination. The base will serve as a science lab and development site for living beyond Earth, supporting deeper space exploration. Key potential sites include Shackleton Crater and Mons Mouton, chosen for resource availability and environmental conditions. Alternative equatorial sites rich in lava tubes offer natural protection but have less accessible water. To provide continuous power through the 14-day lunar night, NASA is developing small nuclear fission reactors. This initiative responds partly to competition from the China-Russia International Lunar Research Station.

Nasa plans to have a permanent base on the Moon by 2030 – how it can be done

$The UN Refugee Environmental Protection fund aims to address climate change and refugee funding shortfalls by employing refugees to plant trees and install cleaner cookstoves, generating carbon credits for sale. However, research highlights significant issues: carbon credits often fail to deliver real emission reductions due to unreliable verification and high tree mortality rates. The initiative risks locking refugees into low-wage labor while providing only a small fraction of the potential financial benefits from carbon credit sales. Despite claims of environmental and social benefits, the fund may offer limited impact on emissions and perpetuate economic inequalities.$

The UN is turning refugees into carbon offset workers