Back on the brink of a global recession, the race is on for leaders of the world economy to escape the danger zone and set a new course for prosperity. The stakes are high: the world, with a 7-billion strong population, faces a declining outlook for growth. Mounting obstacles fill the track with risks such as persistent debt concerns, turmoil in financial markets, rising unemployment and the competition for resources. The race is a spectacle of fear and anxiety, where ambition runs deep for victory. How will the best competitors take the reins and lead the pack with both speed and endurance? How should leaders of global economic governance summon their political will to put into motion the right reforms that bolster confidence among investors, businesses and consumers? How should leaders who are facing voters run for power? How should global CEOs and entrepreneurs strategize to be the first in promising markets and dominate? Beyond the finish line, the champions will mark their success in the winners circle. There is no better place than Dubai, a global city ascending in the new world order, to engage the top minds in business and leadership on how to win the race ahead.
Racing against the odds
The road to recovery from the Great Recession has proved to be tougher than expected. Mounting hurdles are ahead: Europe’s sovereign debt crisis threatens to undermine global growth and destabilize the international financial system, and the future of its currency union is uncertain. America’s recovery is fragile, and emerging economies are vulnerable to the knock-on effects of a sustained downturn in the West. Growth in China is expected to moderate while Japan is on the mend from natural disaster. And social and political change in parts of the Middle East, a region with vital energy reserves, significant sovereign wealth and cutting-edge infrastructure, can impact economic expansion. What is the outlook for the global economy? What will be the new engines of growth and investment opportunities amid a landscape of looming catastrophes? Free trade is at the cornerstone of global economic prosperity. What are the prospects for world leaders to chart a new course on trade policy, especially on issues such as trade imbalances and currency levels, and lower barriers and strengthen protection of intellectual property?
Backing the right horse
Investors in search of both safety and high returns in global financial markets face daily headlines about bank bailouts, sovereign debt crises, political upheaval, looming credit downgrades and the possibility of another recession. How should investors view the global economic and investment landscape, and make sound choices about where to allocate capital? Given the scale of the risks, what kind of rewards can be expected? Where can investors find value? Is it more important than ever to assess the impact of political risks on investments? As the world economy faces an extended period of uncertainty and market volatility, how should pension funds, corporations and individuals pick between stock and bonds, distressed debt, currencies, gold and other commodities, private equity and venture capital, derivatives and hedge funds and other assets? What is the outlook for the global real estate sector, and how best can investors gain exposure to bricks and mortar?
On the board
The goal in any race is to win and CEOs of global companies strive to be among the leaders of their industries. Yet the corporate landscape is littered with bankruptcies, foreclosure signs and unemployment queues, and much of the current turmoil is unprecedented. Strategies and growth models born out of conventional wisdom in the past may be outdated. How are leading companies raising their competitive edge? How are they using the cash in their pockets to invest their way out of a recession, rather than save? Is now the time to spend heavily on R&D, hire talent, push the envelope on innovation, make acquisitions, reposition themselves to appeal to new customers, pioneer new industries and develop promising ventures that grow revenues? What strategies enable companies to take risks that will pay off?
Down to the wire
Politics take center stage in 2012 as governments of major countries face a changing of the guard. New presidents will be elected in the US, Russia and France, and China will see a leadership change, among other political transitions elsewhere. As elections come down to the wire, politicians step up their campaigns, citizens cast their ballots and final votes are counted. Who will win the race for power? What repercussions will the outcomes have on global economic policies and reforms, as well as social stability?
Champions in the making
From an economic desert to a vibrant metropolis, what are the building blocks that make thriving cities rise to prominence? Emerging cities are eager to become dynamic urban centers that attract capital and talent. What development models and incentives allow policymakers to create an ecosystem ideal for entrepreneurs and foreign investors? How should policies on taxation, regulation and immigration be addressed? Is it possible to keep costs down in a city that is on the way up? Investing productively in infrastructure can build connectivity that positions cities at the center of global trade, finance and tourism. How best to invest in everything from shipyards to docks, ports and telecoms, sports arenas and museums, hotels and resorts – and avoid getting too crowded? And how can rising cities win the race to retain the most skilled human capital with the right universities and institutes of higher learning and skills training?
Riding the energy and commodities boom
The world’s population has hit 7 billion and demand for all sources of energy and commodities is greater than ever. Coal, oil, natural gas, shale, nuclear power, water, electricity, wind, solar power, biofuels and agricultural products are among our essential resources. What is the outlook for the global marketplace to keep providing adequate supply of these resources and at stable prices? How is it affected by potential shocks stemming from geopolitical risks, extreme weather and disruptive technologies? As we seek to diversify our resources and avoid dependence, how are entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, policymakers and scientists evaluating the risks and acting on the opportunities? Energy efficiency is also vital to improving sustainability, by designing buildings that operate more cleverly, cars that get more miles to the gallon, factories that adopt cleaner technologies, and planes that get better mileage in the skies. But at what cost and how could it be regulated?
Fast track with technology
Technology drives revolutionary change across the world. Social networks are empowering people to connect, share ideas and form influential communities. Mobile technologies are allowing people to do countless things online, anywhere, anytime. More people living in developing economies can plug directly into the modern economy through internet access and cell phones and tablets. Traditional industries are reinventing new growth models and rethinking the way they innovate and bring products and services to new markets in sectors such as education, healthcare, transportation, energy, media and entertainment, music and art. Companies are adopting social media technologies to raise brand awareness, engage employees and strengthen ties with customers and partners. In the fast-moving and disruptive world of tech, how will these and other emerging trends evolve and how can governments, companies, entrepreneurs and others harness their potential to create new opportunities?
The owner’s box
Sports fans around the world follow their favorite games with passion, whether their teams are competing on the track, field, court or ice. Yet the business of sports – the dollars and cents of the game – is garnering attention from the world’s top investors and companies. Where is the smart money going when it comes to investing in sports teams and franchises, from motor racing to horseracing, English football to American football, tennis to golf, cricket to baseball, basketball to hockey, among others? How can one ensure that such investments deliver impressive returns besides the bragging rights? How are some of the best leagues managed when it comes to brand value, governance, players’ compensation, fans and facilities, as well as merchandising and the rights to broadcast the games on different media and entertainment platforms? What does it take to stage world class sporting events? And how are entrepreneurs addressing the opportunities in consumer businesses such as sports equipment and apparel?
Crossing to the lead
Visionaries, trailblazers, innovators – world class entrepreneurs are a dynamic breed of leaders who launch new businesses, open markets, create jobs and build value. They often spot trends, anticipate demand, take calculated risks and cut ahead of the competition. Yet crossing to the lead in today’s challenging economic environment is not easy. What do these leaders do differently? How do they deliver consistent performance on growth, expand economies of scale, keep up with technology, manage finances and pioneer new industries? Perhaps better than anyone, entrepreneurs dare to experiment and are not afraid to make mistakes. How can one learn to recover from setbacks and understand that success and failure are not polar opposites but two sides of the same coin?
Toward greener pastures
Philanthropy has come through the financial crisis remarkably well by some measures. Billionaires are pledging to give their wealth away in their lifetimes, entrepreneurs of a new generation are starting to give early, and companies are sharpening their focus on corporate social responsibility initiatives. Individuals are embracing philanthropy as a calling in life and dedicating years of experience culminated from success in business and leadership to be of service. How are today’s agents of change and social innovators making a difference with their philanthropic endeavors? How are they using their financial capital, ideas and relationships to advance education, healthcare, medical research, among other causes? How are they supporting poor communities and bringing opportunities to those in need?
Enlarging the winners circle
The financial crisis has been a profound awakening for leaders everywhere. How best can policymakers, business and thought-leaders reflect on the challenges of the past and extract the right lessons? As the global power shift from West to East gathers pace, how will the new world order emerge, and how should competing countries and leading companies adapt and prosper? Prosperity is no longer defined by a nation’s GDP or material wealth alone, but measured by other forms of ‘capital’ such as rule of law, governance, health, security, freedom and entrepreneurship. As the world regains stability, what are the right tools to replant the seeds of a broader prosperity?
