Global Summit

CGF Co-Chairs and the CGF’s Managing Director will highlight achievements from the past two years and inspire the industry to accelerate progress across all dimensions of sustainability.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, consumer behaviour is shifting in unexpected ways. What are people buying (or not buying), and how are businesses adapting to stay relevant? This session brings together industry leaders to share how they’ve reshaped their strategies to meet changing demands, from pricing and product innovation to brand messaging and loyalty. We’ll dive into the latest consumer insights – what trends are keeping CEOs up at night, and what surprises have reshaped their approach? Join us to hear from CEOs across various regions and diverse consumers’ habits.

In a world shifting away from the take-make-waste model, the future of the circular economy hinges on collaboration – where industries, consumers, and policymakers work together to redefine value, turning waste into wealth and challenges into opportunities. This session will explore industry trends and growing interdependence between key sustainability topics such as food waste, plastic waste and climate change.

Brands have always evolved alongside human desires, but artificial intelligence (AI) is now reshaping how consumers discover and engage with them. Amazon overtook Google in product search, TikTok is rising fast and ChatGPT is becoming a powerful force in consumer decision-making. As AI enables more intuitive, human-like interactions, it challenges traditional brand-consumer relationships. Do brands still matter? Who owns consumer loyalty in an AI-driven world? Despite these shifts, brands remain essential—but companies must reinvent themselves. Generative AI can help by transforming consumer engagement, redefining industry economics and revolutionizing workforces, unlocking an estimated $1.2 trillion in value by 2038.

A Conversation with Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart.

When Fidji Simo took the helm at Instacart, the company faced the risk of fading post-pandemic. Her strategic pivot to advertising and enterprise tech transformed Instacart into a more resilient, diversified business. Now one of Silicon Valley’s most influential CEOs, Fidji Simo continues to drive innovation. Join us as she shares insights on consumer trends, in-store innovation with smart carts, AI’s impact on the industry, and the future of retail media.

Sustainable growth is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. This session explores how businesses can drive long-term success by integrating sustainability into their core strategies. From innovative business models to responsible sourcing and circular solutions, industry leaders will share insights on balancing profitability with positive environmental and social impact. Join us to discover how companies are turning sustainability into a competitive advantage while meeting evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.

Sustainability goals mean little without execution. This session explores how businesses can embed sustainability into core strategy—leveraging innovation, a future-back approach, and deep customer insight to drive real impact.

We’ll outline practical steps to turn long-term commitments into measurable action while balancing growth, responsibility, and customer loyalty. A1RWATER’s breakthrough technology, which generates mineral-enriched drinking water from air, illustrates how companies can transform sustainability challenges into market opportunities—proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand.

In an era of heightened global uncertainty, shifting alliances, and economic volatility, businesses must navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. In this session, Fareed Zakaria will explore the key trends shaping international relations, the risks and opportunities they present, and strategies for resilience.