Norwegian Borge Brende President, Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum, WEF, gestures during a press conference, in Cologny near Geneva, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. The World Economic Forum today unveiled the program for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, including the key participants, themes and goals.
Norwegian Borge Brende President, Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum, WEF, gestures during a press conference, in Cologny near Geneva, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. The World Economic Forum today unveiled the program for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, including the key participants, themes and goals. Keystone via AP Laurent Gillieron
Norwegian Borge Brende President, Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum, WEF, gestures during a press conference, in Cologny near Geneva, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. The World Economic Forum today unveiled the program for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, including the key participants, themes and goals. Keystone via AP Laurent Gillieron

National Business

Survey finds geopolitical, cyber threats key concerns in '18

The Associated Press

January 17, 2018 04:16 AM

GENEVA

The World Economic Forum says a new survey found more than nine in 10 experts are expressing concerns about worsening economic or political confrontation between world powers, as "charismatic strongman politics" increasingly affects geopolitics.

The WEF, perhaps best known as the organizer of the annual Davos conference that convenes next week, cites a "deteriorating geopolitical landscape" as among factors behind a pessimistic outlook this year. It adds to lingering environmental worries and comes despite signs of an economic rebound.

Its Global Risks Report released Wednesday includes a survey of nearly 1,000 experts and decision-makers about 30 global risks over a 10-year span.

The team behind the report says geopolitical tensions are fanning an increase in the scale and sophistication of cyberattacks, and suggests greater investment in prevention is needed.