Among the most memorable moments were Kate Raworth’s thought-provoking address on doughnut economics and sustainability, and Paolo Gentiloni’s incisive discussion on the European Union’s political outlook. Gustavo Franco’s panel on inflation dynamics in Brazil drew record attendance, while Ugochi Daniels’ conversation on migration and human mobility sparked an animated Q&A session. Ahmet Üzümcü delivered a powerful keynote on the importance of multilateralism and global security, while Simonetta Sommaruga addressed the challenges of democratic governance in times of uncertainty.

Panel discussions on the future of global development, the transformative power of AI across industries, and the shift towards cashless societies offered timely and stimulating perspectives on emerging global trends. The programme also featured sessions on the role of nationalisation and government in pandemic response, and on navigating the next economic era, which opened further debate on the balance between public policy, private enterprise and resilience. In another milestone, József Váradi shared an inside view of disruptive business models in aviation, adding a business innovation lens to the Summit. From packed auditoriums to hallway discussions, WES 2025 underscored its growing role as a platform where economics meets the real-world challenges – and opportunities – of our time.