The Competitive Edge
A Blog by the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils

Natural resources are the backbone of everyday life and a vital supply for industries worldwide. From energy and manufacturing to technology and agriculture, these critical assets shape global competitiveness strategies and policies.

The city of Pittsburgh, once known for its steel mills and infrastructure manufacturing sites, has now emerged as a global hub for health innovation. Located in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States, Pittsburgh has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades.

Critical minerals, such as copper, cobalt, lithium and other rare earth elements, have come to play a central role in competitiveness strategies as the global push for clean energy and decarbonization drives societies to new economic models.

In recent years, Lisbon has emerged as a leading example of urban transformation powered by innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking governance.

Changes in the Earth's climate are pushing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to a new high. This unprecedented scenario is already testing the resilience of existing physical infrastructure and driving organizations, governments, and businesses to look for technologies and solutions that reduce the effects of extreme weather events and facilitate recovery when floods, heatwaves, heavy rains, cyclones, droughts, and wildfires occur.

Cyberinfrastructure is reshaping daily life as societies transition to digitized economies that merge the cyber and physical domains.

In an interview with the GFCC, Dr. Fofack stresses the urgent need for sustainable economic models and bridging the green technology gap.

Not too long ago, universities were called ivory towers. An expression used to refer to the pursuit of research detached from everyday life that ended up buried in academic publications read only by a select few. Nowadays, universities must demonstrate their value by translating academic endeavors into real-world applications.

In an exclusive interview, GFCC Distinguished Fellow and Joint Chairman of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology...