GLOBAL PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD: KEY CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Abstract

In 2026, humanity faces a polycrisis of interconnected global problems. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, the world has entered an “age of competition” marked by geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, misinformation, and economic uncertainty in the short term, while environmental risks like extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse dominate the longer-term outlook. This thesis examines the main challenges - environmental crises, socio-economic inequality and poverty, geopolitical conflicts, health and humanitarian emergencies, and technological risks from AI and disinformation. It highlights how these issues reinforce one another, weaken multilateral institutions, and widen the gap between developed and developing nations. The study concludes that renewed international cooperation, sustainable development policies, and inclusive governance are essential to mitigate these risks and build a more resilient future.