Berlin, 1 October 2024
This year’s session is taking place within the backdrop of geo-political tensions globally.
Topics at the two-day conference include climate change, globalization which is going through transformation. The Role os business in the geo-political world would also be on the agenda.
A major challenge facing the participants also include the rising populism and extremism in many countries globally.
Cooperation, reciprocity, common ground and dialogue will guide the participants at the conference. The idea being to map out routes to move forward together.
Globalization Amid Fragmentation – The Changing Role of Business in a Volatile World
The first session at the conference was a discussion on the global business landscape which was rapidly changing as open markets and trade face challenges, supply chain shift, and the international system was being challenged.
Participants at this session – Oliver Bäte, the CEO & Chairman of the Board of Management, Allianz SE and Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO, BlackRock agreed that the polarization in democracies around the world was a concern that must be addressed collectively.
They also discussed the breakdown of trust and the need to find ways to build trust; find ways to come together and find a common solution.
What is the right way of dealing with China, asks the moderator.
That has to be discussed and each country must look at the assessments of dealing with China which is a very important player in the global economy. Panellists agree that there is a need for pragmatism in this difficult question regarding dealings with China.
The first session was moderated by Francine Lacqua, Anchor & Editor-at Large, Bloomberg.