Emerging markets are no longer acting as mere participants in global growth—they are becoming its true engines. Representing over 66% of global GDP growth in the past decade, these economies are reshaping the economic landscape, driven by favorable demographics, expanding domestic consumption, and diversified industries.World Economics

In today’s interconnected economy, supply chains are the invisible architecture sustaining global trade. From microchips in smartphones to grains shipped across continents, these networks dictate the flow of goods, information, and capital. Yet, recent disruptions—from pandemics to geopolitical tensions—have transformed supply chains into a core strategic priority for nations and corporations alike.

Money, one of humanity’s most enduring inventions, is undergoing a transformation unprecedented in history. For centuries, physical currency — from gold coins to paper bills — dominated economic life. In the late 20th century, digital payments through credit cards, bank transfers, and online platforms revolutionized how value circulated. Yet, the 21st century has brought an even deeper change: the rise of digital currencies.

For over a century, oil, gas, and coal were the backbone of the global economy — powering industrial growth, fueling transportation, and shaping geopolitical dynamics. Today, however, that dominance is gradually evolving. Despite the progress of the 21st century, hydrocarbons remain central to global energy, but new forces are reshaping the landscape: renewable technologies and critical minerals for clean energy are emerging as transformative players.

Global trade has always been a powerful engine of growth, bringing nations closer and driving economic development. However, in recent years, the balance between protectionism and free trade has shifted dramatically. From tariff wars to new trade agreements, the equilibrium of global commerce is being redefined. The interaction between national policies and international dynamics determines whether the world leans toward greater integration or fragmentation. Understanding this dichotomy is essential to anticipate the economic order of the 21st century and the challenges that both developed and developing countries will face.

To speak of the era of hydrocarbons is to speak of one of the most influential chapters in economic and geopolitical history. Since oil and natural gas began to be intensively exploited at the beginning of the 20th century, these energy sources have become the driving force of industrialization, the backbone of international politics, and a determining factor for the stability of global markets.