World Economic Forum for UPSC

World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-profit organization and functions as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) for public-private cooperation, incorporated as a Swiss not-for-profit foundation, independent of specific interests. 

It brings together global leaders from business, politics, and society to address world challenges, funded by its member companies and supporters. 

The founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is Klaus Schwab, a German engineer and economist. 

Establishment:  1971

Legacy: For over 50 years, he served as the Executive Chairman, growing the small management symposium into a premier global institution.

Recent Status (2026): As of early 2026, Klaus Schwab is no longer in an executive role. He officially resigned from his position as Chairman of the Board of Trustees in April 2025.

Current Leadership: Following his departure, the WEF is managed by its President and CEO, Børge Brende, with Larry Fink and André Hoffmann serving as interim co-chairs of the board. 

Key Points:

Non-Profit: The WEF operates as a not-for-profit foundation under Swiss law.

NGO Status: It holds NGO consultative status with the United Nations' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is recognized as an "other international body" by the Swiss government, effectively functioning as an NGO.

Mission: Its goal is to improve the world through public-private cooperation, acting as a platform for dialogue and solutions, not for profit.

Funding: It is funded by its diverse membership, which includes major global enterprises. 

The World Economic Forum publishes several influential reports that benchmark global performance across various sectors. As of January 2026, the following are its most significant and widely recognized publications: 

Global Risks Report: Released annually in January before the Davos meeting, this report analyzes the most pressing global threats. The 2026 edition identifies "geoeconomic confrontation" as the single most severe global risk, followed by state-based armed conflict.

Global Gender Gap Report: This annual report measures gender disparities across 140+ countries in four key areas: economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment.

Global Competitiveness Report: A flagship publication that ranks countries based on their productivity and drivers of prosperity, such as infrastructure, innovation, and macroeconomic stability.

WEF REPORT = GENDER RISK COMPETITIVENESS 

Fostering Effective Energy Transition Report: This report uses the Energy Transition Index (ETI) to benchmark 120 countries on their current energy system performance and transition readiness.

Global Cybersecurity Outlook: Written in collaboration with leading firms, the 2026 report focuses on how AI adoption and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping digital security risks.

Future of Jobs Report: This examines how technological advancements and socio-economic trends are reshaping labor markets and evolving the skills required for the future workforce.

WEF REPORT = ENERGY TRANSITION Cybersecurity furure of jobs

Travel & Tourism Development Index: (Formerly the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report) This benchmarks the factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector.

Global Cooperation Barometer: Published in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, it measures and guides international collaboration in areas such as trade, climate, and security.

Chief Economists' Outlook: A quarterly report that summarizes the latest policy research and emerging global economic trends based on surveys with leading economists.