According to the regional conference “Risks of the New Age and Sustainability: Flight into the Unknown”, organized by the BeRiskProtected platform, 52% of business leaders worldwide expect an unstable global business environment, with 31% anticipating turbulent periods ahead.
In Serbia, top concerns for managers include the lack of qualified labor, misinformation, economic slowdown, pollution and extreme weather events such as floods and heat waves. Similarly, leaders in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina also rank workforce shortages highest, while North Macedonia prioritizes economic slowdown.
Key global risks identified include climate change, armed conflicts, and disinformation fueled by artificial intelligence. The global cybercrime market is projected to grow by 70% by 2029, reaching over $15 trillion. These challenges demand rapid adaptation of business models and the implementation of new regulations to boost climate resilience.
Conference participants emphasized the need for increased investment in risk prevention through insurance and the adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
A significant takeaway is that managerial decisions now extend beyond strategy and profit, encompassing responsibility, risk management, and potential legal consequences amid rapid information flow and empowered consumers.
Notable participants included Marsh McLennan Serbia, IKEA, Delta Holding, DDOR Osiguranje, ERSTE Banka, Kaspersky, and representatives of Millennials and Generation Z, among others. The investment fund Vista Rica served as the conference’s partner this year.
