“The Asia Pacific region will continue to face heightened crisis-related pressures in 2026, shaped by sustained civil unrest, driven by economic pressures, political grievances and rising youth activism,” said Will Miller, Head of Crisis Management for Asia Pacific at Willis
India and Pakistan are likely to maintain heightened alert levels along Kashmir, with potential for sporadic cross-border skirmishes, while the possibility of acts of terrorism escalating tensions and triggering military confrontations, remains
Incidents involving threats to individuals or client assets increased by more than a third in 2025, accounting for 37% of all incidents reported to Alert:24 – the in-house risk advisory and crisis support service provided by Willis, a WTW business.
The second most common peril notified in its latest Crisis Management Annual Review, which was political repatriation, made up for a fifth (19%) of all 2025 incidents.
2025 was a year that continued to reshape the global risk environment. Geopolitical volatility, economic pressure, shifting alliances and the rise of youth‑led activism created sustained uncertainty for organisations operating internationally. Amid escalating conflicts, political division and social unrest, businesses faced a more complex risk environment, requiring them to safeguard people and assets, maintain operations, and strengthen long-term resilience.
The overall volume of incidents remained broadly consistent with recent years, while the nature of the risks evolved. Rising threat alerts in regions of escalating geopolitical risk drove increased demand for intelligence and support, while ongoing instability in high-risk markets continued to test organisational preparedness.
Looking ahead to 2026, businesses face an operating environment marked by persistent unpredictability. The interplay between political dynamics, economic pressures and rapidly shifting security conditions will continue to test organisational resilience.
“The Asia Pacific region will continue to face heightened crisis-related pressures in 2026, shaped by sustained civil unrest, driven by economic pressures, political grievances and rising youth activism,” said Will Miller, Head of Crisis Management for Asia Pacific at Willis.
Countries such as Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines may continue to witness mass protests, particularly in urban centers, as populations react to austerity measures, restrictions on social freedoms, and perceived elite corruption.
Student movements and Generation Z activists are expected to play a prominent role, leveraging digital platforms and social networks to mobilise demonstrations.
Governments may respond with a combination of concessions and force, potentially escalating tensions and prolonging instability, which could impact domestic economic activity and foreign investment.
Interstate and internal conflicts, as well as terrorism are also expected to persist as critical challenges. India and Pakistan are likely to maintain heightened alert levels along Kashmir, with potential for sporadic cross-border skirmishes, while the possibility of acts of terrorism escalating tensions and triggering military confrontations, remains.
Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border are expected to remain fragile, as both sides seek tactical advantage, with ASEAN and U.S. mediation continuing to play a key role in preventing further escalation.
Regional and international security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism initiatives, will remain essential to mitigating risks to civilians, trade and critical infrastructure.
Other highlights in the review include:
Threat frequency: The broad range of perils facing Alert:24’s clients followed a similar pattern on a monthly basis to that of 2024, with the exception of a deviation in June, following the Iran-Israel conflict. This caused higher repatriation assistance demand, as well as situational information, safety advice and intelligence analysis. Overall, there was a 10% rise in the total number of clients assisted in the first 11 months of the year, compared with the same period in 2024. Incident notification frequency remained relatively consistent with previous years.
Prominent trends: In 2025, kidnap and extortion risks increasingly reflected broader global instability, with threats intensifying in traditionally high-risk countries and emerging in states previously considered lower risk. Persistent political, social, and economic fragilities enabled organised criminal groups, particularly in Latin America and West Africa, to use kidnapping and extortion to generate revenue, exert control, and challenge state authority.
Regional distribution of incidents: In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest number of client notifications for the third consecutive year, accounting for over a quarter of incidents, with nearly half originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid ongoing conflict, disease, and criminality. North America followed closely, Latin America saw an overall decline and Europe and Asia Pacific continued to report the fewest notifications, consistent with 2024.
Beyond 2025, episodes of political instability will reshape global trade, creating an environment of ongoing uncertainty where a single event can trigger widespread commercial disruption. As a result, firms that can anticipate and swiftly adapt to political risks affecting their international supply chains are better positioned to outperform competitors.
Will added: “Across Asia Pacific, we continue to see how quickly strikes, riots and civil commotion (SRCC) can escalate into significant operational and financial exposure for businesses. Social pressures, economic uncertainty and heightened political sensitivities mean that even traditionally stable markets are not immune.
As SRCC events become more unpredictable and, in some cases, more severe, it is essential that organisations strengthen both their crisis management plans and insurance protections. Ensuring adequate SRCC coverage is no longer just a safeguard against property damage, it’s a critical enabler of business continuity, protecting supply chains, assets and people in an increasingly volatile environment.”