The World Economic Forum (WEF) has unveiled a new Global Development Council to chart a fresh course for international cooperation amid shrinking aid budgets and growing global uncertainty.
The Council, co-chaired by Bright Simons, founder of mPedigree, and Dr. Sara Pantuliano, CEO of the global think tank ODI, unites policymakers, economists, innovators, and development leaders to craft a bold vision for inclusive and sustainable progress.
Tasked with exploring new financing models, strengthening regional ties, and scaling homegrown solutions, the initiative seeks to rebuild trust in global collaboration at a time of geopolitical upheavals and fiscal constraints.
According to the WEF, the old playbook of aid and dependency no longer works in an age defined by climate shocks, food insecurity, inequality, and debt distress.
Instead, the Council aims to drive change through technology, innovation, and partnerships that empower communities from the ground up.
“The world is at an inflection point,” the WEF said in its statement. “To build a resilient and equitable future, development must move beyond aid dependency toward creativity, cooperation, and shared responsibility.”
Insights from the Council will feed directly into the WEF’s global development agenda, shaping discussions at the next Annual Meeting in Davos.
The formation of this Council marks a decisive shift from rhetoric to results as the WEF bets on collaboration and innovation to redefine what progress looks like in the 21st century.
