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Fifty years ago in 1975, leaders from the industrialised world gathered in Paris to discuss the 1973 oil crisis, financial shock, and subsequent global recession that knew no borders. Canada joined the following year. What has since become known as the G7 saw its member countries agree to gather annually to discuss the world’s most pressing political and economic challenges. The effort highlighted global cooperation.

In a 1789 letter, Benjamin Franklin referenced that nothing in this world is said to be certain, “except death and taxes”. As the impact of climate change intensifies – hotter temperatures, rising sea levels and more extreme temperatures that know no border – we are introduced to life’s third certainty, or better yet unavoidable truth. Climate adaptation.

Last week, world leaders from government and business gathered in Azerbaijan for COP29 – the second most attended COP – to discuss global progress on addressing climate change.

We need to radically change the way we value nature and how we align finance with conservation goals. This was a headline message for the financial sector at COP16 - the UN Biodiversity Conference that recently welcomed global leaders in Cali, Colombia.

As our planet faces the threat of climate change, the need to accelerate decarbonization has never been more pressing. But what exactly is decarbonization? What can the public and private sector do to accelerate the pace of decarbonization and bridge the clean energy investment gap?

On this International Women’s Day, it’s essential for us to reflect on the pivotal role women play in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).