TENGKU Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s article: “Unity in fragmented world: Takeaways from the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023” caught my attention.

Five key areas of concern discussed at the WEF were global energy and food crises; addressing the risk of recession; private sector innovation and resilience; upholding civil freedoms and human rights and geopolitical risks in a globalised world.

The five key takeaways in Tengku Zafrul’s article were re-globalisation; mitigating strategies to manage increasing and evolving risks; reopening of China; environmental, social, and governance (ESG); and global investors appreciating stability and policy consistency. It rounded up with a call for unity of purpose.

True, we need a fairer globalisation agenda with emerging nations united to have a say in international trade.

Yes, we need to manage risks of food and energy security, inflation, geopolitical conflicts, trade wars and of course, climate change.

For ESG, be mindful of the ISO 9000 lessons learned. ISO is the documentation of quality programmes, not a quality programme itself.

It was expensive and failed in many cases to achieve any long-term impact on customers.

First, we need to take action. We need to rethink ESG developmental projects. The battle to keep the 1.5C limit alive will be lost if we keep cutting down trees.

We must protect our environment, and get developed countries to provide financial and technical support to accelerate renewable energy transition.

We had Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‐Habitat), who joined business leaders in pledging to put principles of good design into action as part of a public session on rebuilding cities.

We must put social value at the core of urban transformation, and ensure cities become environmentally sustainable and socially resilient.

We should also prioritise ocean health because it has a direct positive impact on planetary health and the entire global sustainable development agenda.

We need to prepare our youth as entrepreneurs and provide them with economic opportunities in today’s disruptive environment. Artificial intelligence (AI) should be a top priority for them.

We need to ensure that emerging technologies don’t perpetuate existing inequities. An International Labor Organization report said employees under the age of 30 experienced a much higher percentage of unemployment during Covid-19 than older age groups.

Be mindful, the “asymmetry of power” in AI for migration globally is still an issue.

The future of work is being reinvented, and youth is our future. They want jobs with purpose that prioritise well-being. and not unrewarding jobs with toxic cultures.

We must listen to them and get them involved in decision-making.

Meanwhile, the WEF was only talk, no action.

This is the 53rd annual meeting, which is supposed to address the state of the world and discuss priorities for the year ahead.

Leaders met under the theme: “Co-operation in a Fragmented World” but why still talk about removing trade barriers and why do trade sanctions still exist?

Why still use the term global “South”, referring to a group of countries often described as having some of the poorest and least industrialised economies.

How long have we been talking about climate and not done anything?

Cybersecurity is an issue but there more pressing problems like countries facing a humanitarian crisis, such as Palestine and Syria.

Why concentrate on Ukraine, Poland and surrounding areas?

The first lady of Ukraine was given the rostrum, while for two years in a row, Western sanctions have prevented Russian officials and oligarchs from attending.

What is the meaning of co-operation when a country that supplies most of the energy, metals and food is off the table?

With global inflation issues and only one country introducing inflation reduction legislation, what does the IMF managing director mean by “stay put in the middle of realism”?

Shouldn’t we be worried about discrimination, misinformation and toxicity in giant media groups?

What sort of civil freedom and human rights were discussed? Only rights that protect individuals from unjust or oppressive government action, according to the eyes of the West, but not unjust and oppressive countries?

When it comes to racial and ethnic equity strategy one size does not fit all. As many as 20 of the 38 OECD countries prohibit the collection of race and ethnicity data.

What type of constructive, forward-looking dialogues were discussed? We must encourage courageous conversations on diversity and inclusion, and increase awareness of the impact of differences and group dynamics.

Is anyone accountable? When people who have power and resources do not follow through on their promises and values, it leads to a breakdown of trust.

The number of ongoing crises calls for bold collective action. We can shape a more resilient, sustainable and equitable future but the only way to do so is together.

Are we to expect a similar lack of concrete action next year? Should Malaysia still send delegates?

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

Maybe the apparent lack of snow at Davos says something.

What say you? – February 11, 2023.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.