The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the formation of a new Global Development Council aimed at reimagining the future of international cooperation and progress.
The move comes at a time when massive cuts to development aid, geopolitical upheavals, and waning support for multilateral institutions have upended decades of global development gains.
Co-chaired by Bright Simons, Founder of mPedigree and policy analyst, and Dr Sara Pantuliano, CEO of the global think tank ODI, the council brings together government leaders, development experts, economists, and private sector innovators to chart a new path toward inclusive and sustainable development.
Its mandate includes exploring fresh financing models, strengthening regional cooperation, and identifying scalable solutions that can thrive in an era of political fragmentation and fiscal austerity.
According to the WEF, traditional models of aid and development are no longer sufficient to meet today’s challenges, from climate shocks and food insecurity to widening inequality and debt distress.
The council will focus on practical frameworks that harness technology, local innovation, and cross-sector partnerships to deliver long-term impact.
“The world is at an inflection point,” the WEF noted in its announcement.
“To secure a more resilient and equitable future, global development must evolve beyond aid dependency toward collaboration, creativity, and shared accountability,” it added.
The council’s findings and policy recommendations are expected to feed into the WEF’s broader global agenda ahead of the next Annual Meeting in Davos.