# Our Centres – Annual Report 2023-2024

**Publisher:** World Economic Forum  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Global institutions & policy  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://www.weforum.org/publications/annual-report-2023-2024/in-full/our-centres-33ebb5a013  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/our-centres-annual-report-2023-2024

## At a glance
- Global Lighthouse Network expanded to 153 manufacturing sites globally, with 21 new additions demonstrating AI deployment for operational and sustainability gains.
- Chief Sustainability Leaders Community reached 155 leaders from 24 industries across 38 countries collaborating on corporate sustainability transformation.
- 1t.org milestone: over 100 companies pledged more than 12 billion trees across over 100 countries for ecosystem conservation.
- Clean energy transition in emerging economies requires $2.2–2.8 trillion, per the Network to Mobilise Investment for Clean Energy.
- Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative engaged 21 clusters across 11 countries, representing $370 billion in GDP and 3.8 million jobs protected or created.

## What the report covers
This annual report documents World Economic Forum centre activities during 2023–2024 across advanced manufacturing, nature and climate, cybersecurity, energy and materials, and financial systems. The document synthesises progress on key programmes, partnerships and publications addressing global challenges in decarbonisation, industrial transformation, cyber resilience and equitable energy transitions through the Forum's multistakeholder convening model.

## Key findings
The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing supported Vietnam's Fourth Industrial Revolution centre launch and expanded the Global Lighthouse Network to 153 sites. An independent expert panel of more than 25 industry and academic experts selected 21 new sites, demonstrating how technologies including artificial intelligence deployed at scale drive operational and sustainability improvements. These sites commit to sharing findings and best practices across the ecosystem.

The Centre for Nature and Climate hosted more than 100 event sessions on decarbonisation and resource stewardship. The Chief Sustainability Leaders Community comprises 155 leaders spanning 24 industries and 38 countries. At COP28, the forum launched the First Movers Coalition for Food with 20 leading food companies to create market demand for sustainable agricultural commodities. 1t.org reached a milestone with over 100 companies pledging more than 12 billion trees across over 100 countries.

The Centre for Cybersecurity surveyed more than 250 senior leaders for its Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, identifying widening cyber inequity and emerging technology impacts as key concerns. The centre convened more than 150 cybersecurity leaders at its Annual Meeting and launched the Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap initiative with over 50 public and private organisations. A Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework was published to help organisations build sustainable talent pipelines.

The Centre for Energy and Materials launched the Network to Mobilise Investment for Clean Energy in the Global South, comprising more than 45 government ministers and chief executives. Four new industrial clusters joined the Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, bringing total engagement to 21 clusters across 11 countries on four continents, representing $370 billion in GDP and protecting or creating 3.8 million jobs. The Fostering Effective Energy Transition report benchmarked 120 countries over 14 years, revealing record Energy Transition Index scores despite growing uncertainties.

The Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems developed Longevity Economy Principles addressing demographic shifts as the global population aged 65 and over is forecast to more than double between 2020 and 2050. More than 20 organisations have committed to implementing these principles. The Future of Global Fintech report, engaging over 200 fintech companies, found continued sector growth with fintechs achieving customer growth rates above 50%.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Global Lighthouse Network sites | 153 sites | 21 new additions selected during 2023–2024; independent expert panel of more than 25 industry and academic experts |
| Chief Sustainability Leaders Community | 155 leaders | From 24 industries across 38 countries |
| Trees pledged via 1t.org | Over 12 billion trees | Committed by over 100 companies across over 100 countries |
| Clean energy finance needed (emerging markets) | $2.2–2.8 trillion | Estimated requirement for energy transition; per Network to Mobilise Investment for Clean Energy |
| Transitioning Industrial Clusters engaged | 21 clusters across 11 countries | On four continents; four new clusters joined during 2023–2024 |
| GDP contribution from engaged clusters | $370 billion | Associated with 3.8 million jobs protected or created |
| Cybersecurity Outlook survey respondents | More than 250 senior leaders | Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024; produced with Accenture |
| Fintech companies surveyed | Over 200 fintech companies | Future of Global Fintech report; many showing customer growth rates above 50% |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Destination competitiveness depends increasingly on supply chain resilience, skilled workforces and energy readiness. The report's focus on transitioning industrial clusters across 11 countries signals where investment and policy-making will reshape regional economic strategies, affecting visitor infrastructure and sustainability positioning.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Hospitality operators face mounting pressure on labour availability, energy costs and decarbonisation targets. The Longevity Economy Principles and Cybersecurity Talent Framework signal emerging workforce challenges and operational risks. Hotel groups' participation in sustainability coalitions demonstrates sector expectations for ESG leadership and supply chain transparency.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Fintech growth with customer acquisition above 50% signals shifting payment and financing models in travel. Cybersecurity initiatives addressing widening inequity and skills gaps underscore technology providers' responsibility for secure platforms. Digital resilience and equitable access will differentiate competitive positioning.

## Methodology and limits
This annual report synthesises narrative programme summaries, partnership expansions and published research outputs during 2023–2024. Figures derive from programme reporting, survey samples and stakeholder community rosters. The document does not present primary data; it references discrete research projects (surveys, benchmarks) with methodology details in separate publications. No statistical margins of error are provided in this summary text.

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© World Economic Forum for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.weforum.org/publications/annual-report-2023-2024/in-full/our-centres-33ebb5a013