It’s traditional in our profession at this time of year to offer some thoughts about what the next year will bring. At Wilton Park, through our 70+ annual events, attended by over 3,000 global decision makers, we are fortunate to have a window seat on a wide range of international issues – diplomatic, trade, security and development.
This gives us a unique set of insights into the trends shaping our world, and while the main lesson seems to be that predicting the future of international affairs is largely a fool’s game, there are some issues that consistently bubble up in the conversations we facilitate
- Economic security and resilience: With volatility so marked around the world, and the stakes so high, countries, companies and organisations need to be focusing more proactively on protecting their core strengths and capabilities, as well as building whole society resilience to respond to a range of threats. This may involve difficult conversations and prioritisation as well as thoughtful leadership, but advanced economies and the international community now face significant risks which are still being insufficiently managed. Addressing this needs to be the priority in 2026.
- Promoting growth: This is currently challenging for many countries around the world, and even more so in the context of the uncertainty described above. But delivering more widespread and tangible economic growth for ordinary working people is the best defence we have against many of the sources of volatility facing us. Finding ways to deliver it is critical and governments will be looking for ever more creative ways to achieve it.
- Multilateralism: There have been periods of crisis in how multilateral bodies such as the United Nations function, but the current challenges seem increasingly severe, and many institutions of global governance appear increasingly frail. The coming year will indicate to what extent multilateralism requires strengthening, reform, refurbishment or a complete rebuild. This is accompanied by growing popular interest in improved global governance, including from faith groups.
- Technology: The past few years have seen AI become ever more present in our lives, but progress is also picking up in quantum computing and biotechnology. New developments in all three areas and more will increasingly interact and spur new and faster developments, often in unexpected ways for better and for worse. Minimising risks will become an ever bigger and more challenging priority for everyone in 2026.
- Climate change: This has not gone away and while at times in the past year it has seemed to become less of a priority, focus will return; likely with a new emphasis on technology both as a means to prevent and mitigate, but also, for better or worse, with a growing focus on geoengineering alongside a whole host of political, philosophical and economic challenges flowing from that.
Of course all these trends and more will interweave and new ones will emerge. The litany of global conflicts and injustices will continue, but as we enter our 80th year, Wilton Park will be convening global networks of influence seeking to bend the arc on these and other trends, to create the conditions for better times ahead – progressive, but also realist.
In the meantime, a sincere thank you to all our staff and supporters who supported us during another year of growth in our work. Have a peaceful and restful Christmas, and a more hopeful 2026.
Tom Cargill
Wilton Park CEO
