UN Global
Risk Report
We are living in an age of increasingly complex and interconnected global risks.
Multilateral institutions are not sufficiently prepared.
The UN Global Risk Report identifies which risks are most important and for which risks we are least prepared.
- Global Vulnerabilities arise when institutions are underprepared for important risks; they cluster across political, technological, societal and environmental domains.
- Many risks are already turning into crises: over 80 per cent of respondents identified mis- and disinformation, a top Global Vulnerability, as currently occurring.
- Environmental risks are a priority across all regions: five of the top 10 most important risks are environmental.
- Multi-government action is seen as the most effective response to mitigate global risks and overcome barriers like weak governance and lack of prioritization.
- Four future scenarios show how our joint action in confronting Global Vulnerabilities can lead to breakdown or breakthroughs.
Our future depends on global cooperation to address global risks.
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.
This report was written and produced under the guidance of the United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General. We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our partners, whose expertise was crucial in developing and interpreting its findings.
We would also like to thank our generous donors who made this report a reality.
