Young Global Leaders on Davos 2026

Young Global Leaders on Davos 2026December 16, 2025 | InteractiveAs global leaders convene in Davos in January 2026, current members and alumni of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders highlight the pressing issues they believe deserve more focus—beyond the usual business topics.From January 19 to January 23, leaders from around the globe will convene in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” McKinsey’s own focus in Davos includes agentic AI transformation, 21st-century leadership, geopolitics, resilience and growth, and the brain economy. Ahead of Davos, McKinsey Global Publishing Leader Raju Narisetti, also an alumnus of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL)—a diverse network of individuals spanning business, media, nongovernmental organizations, and not for profits around the world—invited some YGLs to share the one topic they believe deserves more attention than it’s likely to receive at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Their responses, part of an annual curated series from McKinsey Publishing, highlight issues ranging from building trust between people and governments to mental health and social well-being, space exploration, and investing in African youth—each urging leaders to look beyond the headlines. Related articlesReportResilient firms and economies: Unlocking growth in emerging marketsArticleThe Big Rethink: An agenda for thriving in the agentic ageReport - MGI ResearchOut of balance: What’s next for growth, wealth, and debt?InteractiveYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2025ArticleYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2024ArticleYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2023From January 19 to January 23, leaders from around the globe will convene in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” McKinsey’s own focus in Davos includes agentic AI transformation, 21st-century leadership, geopolitics, resilience and growth, and the brain economy. Ahead of Davos, McKinsey Global Publishing Leader Raju Narisetti, also an alumnus of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL)—a diverse network of individuals spanning business, media, nongovernmental organizations, and not for profits around the world—invited some YGLs to share the one topic they believe deserves more attention than it’s likely to receive at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Their responses, part of an annual curated series from McKinsey Publishing, highlight issues ranging from building trust between people and governments to mental health and social well-being, space exploration, and investing in African youth—each urging leaders to look beyond the headlines. Related articlesReportResilient firms and economies: Unlocking growth in emerging marketsArticleThe Big Rethink: An agenda for thriving in the agentic ageReport - MGI ResearchOut of balance: What’s next for growth, wealth, and debt?InteractiveYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2025ArticleYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2024ArticleYoung Global Leaders on Davos 2023