Knowledge Communities: Academic Engagement and Global Future Councils (GFC) Civil Society CommunitiesThe Knowledge Communities team’s mission is to embed academic expertise and fact- and evidence-based frontier thinking into all Forum activities. This accelerates the exchange of ideas between experts and practitioners, helping to bridge theory and practice. Its core objective is to support the Forum’s impartial, multistakeholder model with interdisciplinary academic engagement, particularly within the Global Future Councils, which serve as a catalyst for fresh ideas and thought leaders. The team engages universities, research institutions and think tanks, and convenes the Network of Global Future Councils. It also runs the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF), a community for university leaders. At the Annual Meeting 2025, it convened more than 30 university presidents. It engages top-level academics and institutions to help enrich the Forum’s events, initiatives and communities. This injection of expertise supports Forum partners, enabling them to better anticipate what’s next, explore emerging frontiers and inform strategic decision-making. Among the team’s highlights during the reporting period was the conclusion of the 2023-24 GFC term, as 30 councils finalized their mandates and shared insights and reflections throughout and beyond the GFC network at the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2024 in Dubai. A new GFC term was launched for 2025-26, including 37 thematic councils with bold mandates to bring new insights into the rapidly changing context. The GFC network celebrated 15 years in 2024. Since 2008, it has convened 281 councils, bringing together more than 6,640 experts and thought leaders, representing 1,569 business organizations, 848 academic institutions, 591 civil society organizations, 50 international organizations and government leaders from more than 40 countries. As part of the Forum’s multistakeholder approach, it engages a diverse community of civil society leaders through its centres, events and communities of purpose. In doing so, civil society leaders contribute to finding solutions, driving impact and advancing cooperation with government and business leaders. During the reporting period, the organization’s Civil Society Communities – non-governmental organizations (NGOs), trade unions, social movements, religious leaders and Indigenous leaders – included the engagement of the most influential organizations representing the interests of citizens, consumers, marginalized populations, workers, grassroots movements and social causes. These included more than 150 global and regional non- governmental organizations, non-profits and charities; more than 50 representatives from global and national trade unions; approximately 100 faith leaders and groups; over 70 Indigenous representatives and leaders; and several globally recognized activists and social movements, all of whom provided diverse and challenging perspectives. Annual Report 2024-2025 Our Organization53

Annual Report 2024 2025