Reinventing responsible governance across sectors
The Global Ethics Forum (GEF) 2025, hosted by Globethics in Geneva, concluded as a landmark event for ethical leadership, inclusive governance, and the responsible development of artificial intelligence. Bringing together over 190 leaders from business, civil society, academia, and faith communities across 39 countries, with more than 320 registered to follow online, the Forum offered a platform for in-depth dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and practical frameworks to navigate the complex challenges of today’s world.
This year’s Forum was structured around three interlinked tracks:
Changing the Narrative, Preparing for Peace: A Multistakeholder Dialogue and Plan of Action
The Peace Track, moderated by Alison Hilliard of Wilton Park, closed with a powerful message on the resilience of human hope in the face of division and suffering. Throughout the plenary and roundtables, participants explored new forms of alliance-building for inclusive peace, emphasising diversity, collaboration across sectors, and the centrality of human dignity in governance. The recognition of peacebuilders Ghadir Hani and Dror Rubin underscored the Forum’s commitment to tangible, real-world impact through dialogue and reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis.
Looking ahead, Globethics continues to contribute to peace-focused initiatives, including engagement this week at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference.
Harnessing the Power of AI: Safe and Ethical Integration
The AI Track demonstrated Globethics’ leadership in bridging research, advocacy, and education for ethical and inclusive AI governance. Highlights included the launch of Women in AI Switzerland, a milestone for gender inclusion in technology; a spotlight on the UNESCO Global Network on AI Ethics and Policy, where Globethics leads efforts to empower civil society in AI governance; and the introduction of the new publication Pathways to Inclusion: Advancing Civil Society’s Role in AI Governance.
Participants explored a human-centred vision for artificial intelligence that moves beyond hype and fear, emphasising ethics, inclusion, and transparency as foundations for trust. Breakout sessions—each filled to capacity—addressed AI safety, the role of civil society, and balancing technology’s potential with the preservation of human reasoning. A high-level plenary on “Harnessing AI Ethically” brought together leaders from education, business, and government to discuss embedding ethics in AI development and deployment.
We were especially proud that GEF2025 was an Official Pre-Event of the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, placing inclusion and ethics at the centre of the global AI governance agenda. Looking ahead, Globethics will continue fostering global collaboration through UNESCO and the IndiaAI network, keeping inclusion and ethics central to the AI governance agenda.
Beyond Compliance: Redefining Business Success Through Integrity and Long-Term Vision
The Business Track, held under the banner “Beyond Compliance,” urged leaders to reimagine the role of business as a driver of ethical and sustainable transformation. Panellists noted that while short-term market pressures remain strong, the moral responsibility of governance requires purpose-driven leadership and integrity. Discussions, interactive labs, and an innovative "ethical speed dating" session highlighted practical tools for ethical decision-making and governance literacy, with examples of entrepreneurs and companies aligning profit with social good.
The consensus: to build resilient economies, business must move from fear and crisis management toward hope, responsibility, and a long-term commitment to people and planet. Keynote speaker Victoria Hurth emphasised embedding purpose and ethical oversight into decision-making, moving from “doing no harm” to driving innovation that advances human and planetary well-being. The track underscored hope and inspiration from purpose-driven entrepreneurs as a guide for systemic change and responsible leadership.
Continuing Globethics’ Global Impact
GEF 2025 is part of an ongoing series of initiatives advancing ethical AI, responsible governance, and ethical business practices. Upcoming and ongoing work includes:
- Engagement with Indonesia through the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia
- Pre-Summit positioning for the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- Preparation for Global Ethics Forum 2026 in Bali, Indonesia
- Continued development of ethical business frameworks and AI governance strategies with global partners
As one participant reflected:
“The depth and sincerity with which the sessions were curated allowed for genuine reflection and constructive exchange; something that is rare and deeply valuable in our times.”
Another added:
“I had the honour of speaking at GEF 2025 in Geneva. This event brought together global experts to reflect on how ethics can guide technological innovation and reaffirmed the importance of placing human values at the centre of AI development.”
From peacebuilding to AI, business, and ethical leadership, GEF 2025 demonstrated that ethics is not optional—it is the foundation of trust, transformation, and progress. With high-level dialogues, interactive breakout sessions, and groundbreaking launches, the Forum reaffirmed Globethics’ commitment to fostering responsible, human-centered innovation across the globe.
Explore Forum Highlights: Photos by Khaula Smart are available for download and sharing from our Flickr account. Stay tuned to Globethics’ LinkedIn and newsletter for continued insights and reflections from GEF 2025 and future initiatives.
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