The World Economic Forum in Davos, which concluded on January 23, 2026, has become one of the most controversial in recent years. The official theme is 'Spirit of Dialogue', however, the forum has turned into a battleground of opinions: political scandals and geopolitical tensions competed with discussions on long-term challenges — the water resources crisis and the development of AI.
About 3000 leaders from more than 130 countries participated in the forum. The Russian delegation was officially absent (as since 2022), but was active on the sidelines of the event.
💵Geopolitics: the main plot with an unexpected twist
The key theme was the strained relations between the USA and Europe. The conflict revolved around U.S. President Donald Trump's claims on Greenland ("a very big chunk of ice") and his threats to impose tariffs against eight European countries (including Denmark) for refusing to discuss the island's transfer. The Danish government boycotted the forum in protest.
By the end of the event, a turnaround occurred: Trump stated that a "foundation for a future agreement on Greenland" was established during the meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and he canceled the threat of tariffs. Escalation shifted to retreat.
The topic of Ukraine did not yield breakthrough agreements. Trump urged the parties to make a deal, noting: "We are already close enough" to an agreement. Negotiations took place at the forum: Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met with the Russian President's special representative Kirill Dmitriev. The parties described the meeting as constructive; a trip of the American delegation to Moscow was agreed for negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
🔹"Blue Davos": 2026 declared the Year of Water
The year 2026 was designated at the forum as the "Year of Water" ("Blue Davos") - to draw attention to the global water resources crisis.
Alarming statistics were presented: over 2 billion people without access to clean drinking water; by 2050, nearly a third of the world's GDP will be in areas of high water stress. New projects were launched, including an innovative hub for developing "blue products" (fish, seafood) in Ghana.
🚀Technologies and economy: from hype to pragmatism
Artificial intelligence. The focus has shifted from the potential of AI to practical value. Business leaders asked when trillion-dollar investments would start yielding real returns (not just cost savings). Warnings were sounded about the risks of fragmentation of technological standards and the digital divide.
Global risks. The Global Risks Report for 2026 highlights that the leading issue is geo-economic confrontation (ahead of interstate conflicts and extreme weather events). Conclusion: volatility in supply chains and economic turbulence is the new norm; "nostalgia is not a strategy."
Talent crisis. The acute problem is the gap between the need for new skills (due to AI) and the actual level of retraining. Data: 55% of employees did not receive training in the workplace in the last year.
🔍Conclusion: Dialogue in times of turbulence
Davos 2026 showed a world at a crossroads. On one hand - systemic challenges: water crisis, transition to real technological solutions, workforce preparation. On the other - a deficit of trust and cooperation amid geopolitical clashes.
The main conclusion: in an era of uncertainty, resilience and adaptation become key competitive advantages for companies and states. The "spirit of dialogue" has been tested, remaining the only tool for seeking answers to common threats.
