Statement on the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, 2023

January 13, 2023

As global stakeholders gather to tackle societal challenges at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos this week, the Reform for Resilience Commission urges government and business leaders to elevate health as a key driver of economic success.

This is a complex moment, with multiple economic and geopolitical challenges set against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, rising food insecurity, and a rapidly warming planet. Clearly, it is a moment for action. Public and private sector leaders must plan for the long term and take concrete measures to build more resilient societies, capable of rebounding quickly from the type of shocks we have seen in recent years.

One important step: Emphasizing health as a priority for a resilient society. The private sector can play a crucial role here by integrating health metrics into ESG standards. Indeed, members of our leadership team are actively working with policymakers, international organizations, and the private sector to build the analytical foundation for such metrics.

Investing in health is not just the morally right thing to do. Companies that focus on their staff’s well-being often outperform their rivals. Those that prioritize the needs of their communities alongside the financial interests of their shareholders will be more resilient and therefore better positioned to build value and recover from setbacks.

The same holds true for nations. Investing in health helps countries protect their economies, their national security, and their most important resource — their people. Such investments are an essential foundation for healthy long-term growth and societal resilience.

We welcome the emergence of heath equity as a prominent theme in this week’s gathering in Davos. We urge all participants at the conference to take concrete steps to advance health for their citizens, employees, and stakeholders.