Risk Report

1. Global Vulnerabilities arise when institutions are underprepared for important risks. Global Vulnerabilities are the risks viewed as most important, yet for which the international community is insufficiently prepared. Among these, mis- and disinformation stood out as an extremely important risk for which the international community is less prepared, with its potential to exacerbate geopolitical tensions and crisis response challenges.
2. Many risks are already turning into crises. Over 80% of survey respondents identified mis- and disinformation as currently occurring, followed by more than 70% pointing to rise in inequalities and geopolitical tensions as imminent challenges.
3. Environmental risks top the list while emerging threats like space-based events and pandemics remain overlooked. Across all regions and stakeholder groups, environmental risks like pollution and climate change inaction ranked most important, while less prepared for risks like space-based events, cybersecurity breakdowns, and pandemics, rarely make the top 10 anywhere.
4. Global institutions are seen as effective in risk identification. Respondents recognized risk identification as the greatest strength of multilateral institutions, driven by robust global data, insights and multistakeholder forums, such as those supporting climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic stability.
5. Joint action is the most effective response across risks. Joint action between governments emerged as the most effective. While unilateral national responses were perceived to be effective for certain risks, they were consistently viewed as less effective than responses involving multiple governments.
6. Four future scenarios show how our joint action in confronting Global Vulnerabilities can lead to breakdown or breakthroughs.

The inaugural UN Global Risk Report sends a clear and urgent message: no country, company, or institution can confront these global vulnerabilities alone. From climate disruption to pandemics and rapidly evolving frontier technologies, these risks are complex, interconnected, and growing. They require close cooperation and communication between countries to shape a better future for all.