Five urgent economic themes shaping conference agendas in 2026
As organisations plan conferences and leadership events for 2026, the issue is no longer whether the global economy is shifting, but whether event agendas reflect the depth and permanence of that change. Economist and author Dambisa Moyo argues that today’s uncertainty is not a temporary phase, but the result of structural forces colliding at the same time — reshaping growth, geopolitics, capital flows and decision-making.
For event organisers, this matters because senior audiences are increasingly selective. CEOs, policymakers, investors and boards are looking for content that helps them interpret risk, allocate capital and make long-term decisions in a far less forgiving environment. Moyo’s work highlights five economic themes that are becoming essential for conferences and events in 2026, providing a clear framework for agendas that speak directly to today’s leadership challenges.
At the heart of Moyo’s thinking is the idea that governments, businesses and institutions now operate with much less room for error. Events that acknowledge this reality — rather than offering surface-level trend commentary — are more likely to attract audiences seeking practical insight and strategic clarity.
Demographics as an Economic Risk
Demographic change is one of the most powerful forces shaping the global economy. Ageing populations across Europe and East Asia are placing growing strain on public finances, pension systems and healthcare provision. At the same time, fast-growing workforces in parts of Africa and South Asia are reshaping global labour supply and migration pressures.
For conferences, this elevates demographics from a social issue to a core economic risk. Workforce planning, productivity, pensions and migration are now board-level concerns tied directly to growth and fiscal sustainability. Events that connect demographic trends to economic resilience, investment decisions and political stability mirror the way leaders are already thinking about the decade ahead.
Artificial Intelligence and Uneven Growth
From Moyo’s perspective, technology-led growth is rarely neutral in its effects. While AI promises significant productivity gains, the distribution of those gains matters just as much. If benefits flow primarily to capital rather than labour, inequality increases and political pressure follows.
For event organisers, this means AI sessions need to go beyond innovation showcases. Audiences are increasingly engaged by discussions that examine AI’s impact on jobs, wages, taxation, regulation and social cohesion. Conferences that frame AI as an economic and political force — not just a technological one — are better aligned with the concerns facing business leaders and policymakers in 2026.
Resources, Energy and Economic Security
Moyo has long argued that access to resources underpins economic power and geopolitical influence. Constraints on energy, critical minerals and water are now shaping supply chains, industrial policy and national competitiveness.
For conferences, sustainability content becomes more compelling when positioned as a discussion about economic security and resilience. Manufacturing, infrastructure and technology audiences are particularly responsive to sessions that explore how resource constraints affect growth plans, pricing and long-term investment. Treating energy transition and resource scarcity as economic strategy, rather than corporate responsibility alone, reflects the realities leaders are confronting.
Diverging Capital Markets
Another theme central to Moyo’s work is the widening gap between risk-tolerant, capital-rich markets and more cautious, capital-constrained ones. The contrast between the United States and Europe has direct consequences for innovation, company formation and long-term growth.
Investment-focused events benefit from examining how capital flows — and where it does not. Audiences want to understand why some regions scale rapidly while others struggle to turn ideas into viable businesses. Addressing these differences openly adds depth and credibility to conference agendas aimed at investors, executives and policymakers.
Europe’s Competitive Challenge
Finally, Moyo warns that economic relevance cannot be assumed. Europe’s regulatory complexity, fragmented markets and aversion to risk risk becoming structural disadvantages, particularly in AI and advanced industries. For conferences held in the UK and Europe, this presents an opportunity for honest discussion about competitiveness, reform and strategic autonomy. Audiences increasingly value programmes that confront difficult realities rather than focusing on legacy strengths.
Taken together, these five themes suggest that the most effective events in 2026 will move beyond trend-spotting and address the structural forces shaping leadership decisions. Dambisa Moyo’s work — alongside other geopolitical and economic speakers — offers event organisers a framework that connects economics, politics and strategy, helping audiences prepare for a world that is already taking shape.
If you are considering Dambisa Moyo or another leading geopolitical or economic keynote speaker for your 2026 event, now is the time to start the conversation.
We will draw on our global speaker network to create a tailored proposal designed specifically for your event — not a generic speaker list. Your customised proposal will address the structural economic concerns facing leaders today, including demographics, AI-driven disruption, capital markets, resource security and Europe’s competitive position. We align speaker recommendations to your theme, format and audience profile, ensuring relevance, credibility and impact. Whether you are planning a leadership summit, board-level conference or global forum, our approach helps you shape an agenda that speaks directly to the decisions your audience is making now. Contact Oration Speakers to begin your priority consultation and receive a proposal built around the most pressing issues facing your delegates in 2026.
