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Recently, International SOS released the \"2026 Global Risk Outlook\" report in Beijing. The report states that global risks and threats are continuing to intertwine and accumulate at an unprecedented pace and complexity, and by 2026 international companies and their employees will face multiple risks, including geopolitical instability, misinformation and false information, as well as employee mental health issues. In response to this, industry experts suggest that international petrochemical companies should take measures such as enhancing forward-looking planning, integrating AI technologies more deeply, and combining medical and safety protocols, in order to ensure the health and safety of their employees as well as the continuous and stable operation of their businesses. Uncertainty is rising sharply; proactive planning is necessary. “Global risk trends exhibit three main characteristics: an accelerating pace of risk changes, the interconnection of different types of risks, and an increasing level of uncertainty regarding future developments.” ”Zhang Yingyan, Senior Manager for Travel Risk at International SOS, noted. The report shows that 66% of the surveyed companies reported a significant increase in uncertainty, while 47% considered global geopolitical tensions to be the primary influencing factor. “In addition to causing direct conflicts, overseas geopolitical issues can also disrupt companies’ global operations due to sudden changes in local government policies, supply chain disruptions, and sanctions. ”Zhang Yingyan analyzed. As to how Chinese petrochemical companies can better balance geopolitical risks with business expansion in their overseas projects, John Williams, Managing Director of International SOS China, pointed out that these companies should not make decisions to enter or avoid a particular market based solely on macro-level country risk assessments; what’s crucial is having \"hyper-localized\" information. Companies need to be aware of the real-time security developments and public sentiment in the specific city, community, or even street where a project is located, in order to avoid local conflicts and ensure business continuity. At the same time, John Williams suggests that petrochemical companies expanding overseas should adopt a forward-looking approach, including establishing diversified supply networks to avoid reliance on single sources, so as to have alternative options available to maintain normal operations in case a logistics route is disrupted due to geopolitical tensions abroad. “The “digital” risk is even more prominent; deep integration driven by AI is key. The report states that cybercrime ranks second among the risk factors. The risks of other digital threats remain widely underestimated. “With ongoing technological advancements, the risk of erroneous and false information will become more pronounced by 2026. ”Zhang Yingyan said that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has greatly reduced the costs and barriers to information creation, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between true and false information. Meanwhile, relevant laws and regulations are being rapidly phased out, which poses significant challenges to companies’ capabilities in information collection and processing. Cvete Koneska, Director of Global Security Risks at International SOS, said: “Companies can enhance their ability to anticipate and adapt to changes.” Agility and timely access to risk information have become key to businesses building operational resilience. ” “Response preparation can no longer be static; it must be technology-driven, dynamic, and continuous. Only by combining advanced AI analysis techniques with deep team expertise can we sort through complex information and turn uncertainty into actionable insights. ”John Williams said. Mental health issues are on the rise; medical and safety planning has become essential. Reports show that 17% of respondents listed mental health issues as one of the top three risks. Irene Lai, Global Medical Director at International SOS, commented: “Ignoring employees’ health is, to some extent, a disregard for the people-centered philosophy.” Health risks no longer occur in isolation; extreme weather, mental health issues, and infectious disease threats often coincide with security threats. Companies must integrate medical and safety planning to effectively protect their employees. ” “Companies need to develop adaptive, forward-looking strategies in response to changing workforce structures, working patterns, and risk exposures. ”Li Xia, Medical Director at the International SOS China Assistance Center, pointed out that establishing a system for the physical and mental well-being of employees that can be flexibly expanded as needed and standardized on a global scale is no longer a luxury investment; rather, it is a necessity for maintaining the continuity of business operations and ensuring the safety of employees’ lives. Arnaud Vaissié, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of International SOS, said: “When risks are no longer isolated and static, but interwoven and constantly evolving, even the most thorough plans face severe challenges.” Against this backdrop, proactive preparedness becomes even more crucial; it not only serves as a solid foundation for companies to maintain their confidence and ensure business continuity, but it is also an essential cornerstone for driving sustainable growth. ”