
2024
DEBATING TOMORROW’S CHALLENGES
In WES2024, the conference capitalised on the success of the hybrid format, introduced in 2023, and expanded its reach globally, hosting a total of 1220 registered attendees from 95 different nationalities. While the 23rd edition of the conference covered a wide range of topics, from the future of food to the role of the media in combating fake news and safeguarding democracy, one overarching theme stood out; identifying ways to tackle generational issues of our time.

SPEAKERS

PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Navigating Monetary Policy
Perspectives From Central Banks Around The World
Chaired by
Martin
Arnold
Frankfurt Bureau Chief of the FT

Anita Angelovska Bezhoska
Governor, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia

BORIS
Vujčić
Governor, National Bank of Croatia

Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus
Former Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

charles goodhart
Former Member, Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee
looking ahead
The Economic Outlook For 2024 And Beyond

sujit kapadia
European Central Bank

yael selfin
KPMG

george buckley
Nomura

Marion laboure
Deutsche Bank
leading organisations for peace

dr. melissa parke
Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

zainab bangura
Director - General United Nations Office at Nairobi

HIGHLIGHTS
Some of the highlights of the conference included a standing ovation for the Tibetan Sikyong, Penpa Tsering, at the end of a moving Q&A session, as well as the launch of the #AreWeReady global youth campaign promoting awareness of the WHO's Pandemic Preparedness Treaty. The Summit also hosted the first debate panel in its history, where specialists debated on the merits of de-dollarisation for the global economy. At the end of the debate, the audience had the opportunity to pick a winning side, and after a surprising turn of events, the vote closed at a 50/50 split for both sides in favour and against de-dollarisation.
Another historical moment for the Summit was getting together current and former central bankers representing 5 different countries for a great panel discussion on fighting inflation in different contexts. This last event had journalists from Reuters and Bloomberg in the audience, marking a huge milestone for the presence of WES within some of the world's most important news outlets.
One of the most popular events amongst delegates was the future food panel, where speakers from different backgrounds within the alternative protein industry discussed the challenges and opportunities of this branch of food science with the potential to help feed millions worldwide while slowing down climate change. Another really popular event was the captivating keynote by Professor Stephanie Kelton on the controversial topic of Modern Monetary Theory (a.k.a. MMT), followed by a busy book signing event outside the main venue.










