GENEVA (AN) — Donald Trump, whose inauguration coincides with the first day of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in the Swiss resort town of Davos, plans to appear remotely at an interactive session.
WEF expects 3,000 leaders from 130 countries for talks on how to encourage "a spirit of cooperation and constructive optimism," its founder and chairman, Klaus Schwab, announced on Tuesday as the international organization held a press conference at its Geneva headquarters.
Børge Brende, WEF's president and CEO, said there is "a greater level of global uncertainty than we have seen in a generation, driven by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and accelerating climate change" – which demands innovative, cooperative approaches.
Along with Trump, WEF said, top leaders participating at Davos include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, China's Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Argentina's President Javier Milei, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also are expected.
Heads of international organizations taking part include Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and Mark Rutte, secretary-general of NATO.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, Achim Steiner, administrator of the U.N. Development Program, and David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, also plan to participate.
This year's theme, "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," reflects more of a wish than reality as wars rage, the planet overheats, and inequities mount.
Earlier this month, the World Meteorological Organization confirmed the global average surface temperature in 2024 likely was 1.55° Celsius above pre-industrial levels – the warmest calendar year on record and first to exceed the major climate threshold set under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
“The climate and nature crisis requires urgent attention and action,” said Gim Huay Neo, WEF's managing director, pledging that Davos will "explore" the benefits of data, technology and innovative partnerships.
