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

Protected areas have evolved into contested spaces where security risks, environmental protection, and local livelihoods intersect. In Benin, Brazil, and Nepal, the management of these pressures depends not only on enforcement capacity but on the interactions between security actors, conservation authorities, and communities within broader governance systems. Key challenges include balancing territorial control with community presence, enforcement with legitimacy, and conservation goals with livelihood needs. Three governance models—security-led, participatory, and integrated—each have strengths and limitations, showing that sustainable outcomes rely on balancing competing objectives rather than a single approach. Strengthening coordination, accountability, and community engagement is essential as environmental and security issues increasingly converge in protected areas.

Latin America | Financial services, Health

Security sector governance’s contribution to protecting national parks

Investment funds are withdrawing from Asia-Pacific biodiversity hotspots due to risks linked to high biodiversity loss and weak legal protections, treating these regions as financial hazards. Research shows that robust legal frameworks for nature conservation can reduce capital flight by providing financial security. Innovative solutions, such as ecosystem service credits in China and biodiversity bonds like Australia’s A$150 million Nature Bond, demonstrate how conservation can become financially attractive. Advancements in biodiversity risk measurement and natural capital accounting are improving transparency and valuation, encouraging investment. Regional cooperation and harmonized standards are essential to address cross-border ecological and financial risks and retain capital for nature-positive investments.

Latin America | Financial services

Why Investment Funds Are Fleeing Biodiversity Hotspots-And How to Stop Them

Fraunhofer HHI has developed laser-based surface treatments to enhance thermal radiation from satellite and rocket components in space’s vacuum, where heat dissipation is limited to radiation. Using femtosecond lasers, metal surfaces such as aluminum, titanium, and copper are roughened with micrometer-scale cones, increasing thermal emissivity from about 10% to up to 99%, enabling efficient passive cooling without chemical alteration or outgassing. These laser-treated surfaces withstand extreme temperatures (up to 650°C) and promise reduced launch weight by eliminating paint coatings. Efforts are underway to produce white, reflective surfaces to minimize solar heating and to replace femtosecond lasers with more cost-effective nanosecond lasers, achieving around 85% emissivity. Space testing on the ISS has been conducted, with material analysis pending, while a Fraunhofer spin-off aims to commercialize the technology for aerospace applications.

Efficiently Cooling Satellite Components in Space

Quantum computers, operating on quantum mechanics principles, promise to solve complex problems much faster than classical computers, including breaking current encryption methods. Peter Shor's 1994 quantum algorithm demonstrated the potential to crack standard encryption, prompting military and intelligence investments. However, new post-quantum cryptography standards have been developed to protect data against quantum attacks, aiming to prevent a "cryptography apocalypse." Practical quantum machines are expected within 10-20 years, likely first in specialized tasks. Beyond decryption, quantum computers hold potential for advances in scientific modeling, climate change, cancer treatment, and clean energy. The field is heavily influenced by geopolitical competition, especially among the US, China, and Russia.

Financial services

Quantum computers could expose our digital secrets – but there are much better reasons to build them

The 2026 IESE Insight special edition on AI provides research-based guidance for business leaders navigating AI-driven change amid geopolitical and sustainability challenges. It emphasizes transforming individual generative AI successes into firm-wide impact with tailored organizational capabilities. The report explores AI’s potential to disrupt global knowledge work offshoring and offers practical advice for implementing AI effectively. Additional topics include managing polarized and complex environments, fostering innovation in distributed teams, overcoming resistance through entrepreneurial framing, data-driven pricing, adapting to the EU Circular Economy Act, and decision-making lessons from athletes. The edition promotes human-centered leadership to simplify complexity and enhance purposeful leadership.

Iceland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Education

AI’s Simplicity Illusion

China is rapidly advancing toward semiconductor self-sufficiency with state-led coordination and significant investment, aiming for 80% domestic production of key chips by 2030. The U.S. faces structural limits despite substantial federal incentives like the CHIPS Act; its share of global chip manufacturing has declined, and new fabs won't be fully operational until technologies become outdated. Europe's EU Chips Act drives major investments and boasts strengths in EUV equipment and automotive chips, yet its global production share remains stagnant around 10%. Future semiconductor dominance will depend on training engineers, resilient supply chains, and effective university-industry partnerships rather than export controls.

Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, China, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom | ICT

Which market will dominate the semiconductor industry in the next decade?

Global climate finance reached $1.46 trillion in 2022 but remains insufficient, especially in developing Asia-Pacific countries needing up to $1.1 trillion annually for mitigation and adaptation. While governments increase public investments and mechanisms supporting climate resilience, accountability systems lag. Simply mobilizing funds does not ensure effective outcomes without transparent, coordinated oversight. Technical tools like climate budget tagging and green taxonomies aid identification but cannot guarantee efficiency or impact alone. Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), as independent auditors, play a crucial role by assessing not only financial compliance but also the effectiveness and coordination of climate finance across sectors. Strengthening SAI involvement is essential to build public trust, ensuring climate finance is managed transparently, efficiently, and delivers measurable climate results.

Financial services

Building Trust Through Accountability in Climate Finance

The May 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook reveals a more pessimistic global economic forecast due to conflict escalation in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Key challenges include disrupted supply chains, rising energy and food prices, financial volatility, and inflation pressures, leading to weakened confidence and lower growth expectations. Regional divergence is evident: the US and India maintain moderate to strong growth amid inflation, China’s outlook improves slightly, Europe faces weaker growth and stagflation risks, and South-East Asia shows resilience but remains vulnerable to import cost increases. Multinational companies are shifting investments toward the US, India, and South-East Asia, while optimism about artificial intelligence endures despite slower, uneven productivity gains.

Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe | Financial services

Chief Economists' Outlook: May 2026

The global economic outlook for May 2026 has turned more pessimistic due to escalating Middle East conflicts and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, causing supply chain disruptions, rising energy and food prices, financial volatility, and heightened inflation pressures. Growth expectations have weakened, with the US and India showing moderate to strong growth but facing inflation risks. China’s outlook has improved modestly, while Europe faces weaker growth, energy shocks, and stagflation risks. Southeast Asia remains resilient but vulnerable to rising import costs. Multinational companies are adjusting investments and supply chains, favoring the US, India, and Southeast Asia. Artificial intelligence offers optimism, though productivity gains may be slower and uneven.

Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe | Financial services

Chief Economists' Outlook: May 2026

ESG investing aimed to align capital with environmental and social values, incentivizing corporations to adopt sustainable practices and build the green economy. However, ambiguity in ESG criteria and the inclusion of companies like Exxon in top ESG funds revealed measurement flaws, undermining the model’s credibility. Activist investing also faced challenges, raising doubts about pricing values in markets focused on short-term growth and quick returns. Despite setbacks in ESG and activism, successful financial structures like investments in wind and solar demonstrate that patient, long-term capital can drive climate progress. The fundamental issue lies in public markets' emphasis on short-term gains, ill-suited for slow, systemic crises like climate change.

Podcast: Why Wall Street Slowed Its Roll on Sustainability

The 2026 G7 agenda focuses on strengthening economic security and enhancing supply-chain resilience amid global uncertainties. It emphasizes coordinated international efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure, diversify supply sources, and promote sustainable energy transitions. Strengthening cooperation among G7 nations aims to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent geopolitical tensions and disruptions, ensuring stable economic growth and security. The agenda also highlights the importance of integrating climate policies with economic strategies to build long-term resilience.

Africa | Financial services, ICT, Health

Economic Security and Supply-Chain Resilience: Building the 2026 G7 Agenda

The EU faces a shifting global trade environment marked by the rise of geopolitics and erosion of the rules-based multilateral trading system. In response, it has developed new trade policy tools under the concept of Open Strategic Autonomy to balance openness with economic and security interests. Key measures include recalibrating free trade agreements to diversify markets, adopting the Anti-Coercion Instrument for streamlined retaliation against economic coercion, enhancing foreign direct investment screening to counter state capitalism, tightening export controls, and implementing the International Procurement Instrument to ensure reciprocity in access to EU public contracts. The EU’s success hinges on its ability to defend itself and revitalize its economy amid geopolitical competition.

Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine | Financial services

Can trade policy help the EU thrive in a geopolitical world?

Europe's current health data initiatives focus largely on traditional, sector-specific information. However, non-traditional data sources—such as platforms, sensors, mobility systems, and consumer behavior—represent a significant opportunity to advance health and well-being research. Analysis of over 290 studies shows these datasets enable earlier detection of health risks, reveal inequalities, and link environmental factors to disease outcomes. To fully realize this potential, Europe must address challenges like fragmented data access, low public trust, and insufficient long-term funding. The report recommends six policy actions to establish more effective health data ecosystems.

Financial services, Education, ICT, Health

Realising the potential of non-traditional data to improve health and wellbeing

Global tensions stem from complex geopolitical dynamics across multiple regions. In the Middle East, the Israel-Iran conflict is likened to a Thucydides Trap, with both nations vying for regional dominance, likely resulting in an unstable, incomplete agreement. The Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens global food security, as oil-derived fertilizers are vital for many countries. In Ukraine, the conflict remains stalemated, with EU financial aid critical and U.S. satellite intelligence essential to Ukraine’s defense, while Russia’s sustained war effort is funded by hydrocarbon sales. The possibility of nuclear weapon use remains if Russia’s defeat looms. China’s rapid rise as an “electrostate,” dominating industrial production and renewable energy, presents structural imbalances due to export-driven suppression of domestic consumption, posing challenges for global economic stability.

Israel, Ukraine | Financial services

Ben-Ami and Borrell: The keys to the new world disorder

International efforts to regulate AI in military weapons face significant obstacles due to fears that agreements could disadvantage signatories against less restricted adversaries. Despite previous commitments advocating human oversight, risk assessments, and transparency in AI use, key powers like the US, Russia, and China have resisted binding agreements or clear definitions, particularly regarding lethal autonomous weapons systems ("killer robots"). Current conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran serve as testing grounds for rapidly advancing AI-enabled tools, such as intelligence software and AI-assisted drones, outpacing regulatory development. Human oversight risks diminishing into passive approval, raising concerns about automation bias, misinformation, and ethical misuse. The lack of enforceable international frameworks sustains the peril of harmful AI applications in warfare.

Education

Fears of helping the enemy are blocking international agreements on AI in weapons systems

The Russian shadow fleet, comprising up to 1,600 vessels engaged in evading oil export sanctions, finances Russia's war against Ukraine while posing growing security risks to Europe. Nearly half of Russia's oil—generating over €10 billion monthly—is shipped via the Baltic Sea, making these maritime routes vital to its economy. Beyond sanctions evasion, the fleet is increasingly linked to espionage, sabotage, and environmental hazards, serving as a tool of hybrid warfare that exploits European vulnerabilities below the threshold of open conflict. A coordinated and systematic international response, focusing on maintaining sanctions integrity, maritime security, and defense, is essential to counter this multifaceted threat effectively.

Measures Against the “Russian Shadow Fleet”

$Asia and the Pacific are undergoing the largest transport infrastructure expansion in history, with annual spending in developing countries expected to rise from $800 billion to $2.6 trillion by 2035. Despite this growth, infrastructure development will still fall short of demand, leaving per-capita road and rail availability far below levels in wealthy nations. Roads will account for the largest share of spending, alongside major investments in rail and electric vehicle charging. Funding challenges persist, with public-private partnerships and aid covering only a small fraction of costs. Opportunities to raise funds include reallocating fossil fuel subsidies, expanding road user charges, leveraging real estate development for urban transit, and derisking investments through guarantees. However, achieving safe, clean, and accessible transport will require more than funding alone.$

Latin America | Financial services

Asia and the Pacific’s Trillion-Dollar Transport Question: How Much, and Who Pays?