2024-01-15 07:19:28
The latest developments
The 54th WEF begins on Monday in the Graubünden mountains. The focus of the event is the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
This year’s World Economic Forum will take place in Davos from January 15th to 19th.
Laurent Gillieron / Keystone
The latest developments:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang are traveling to Bern on Monday before appearing in Davos on Tuesday. This was announced by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA). Selenski will be received by Federal President Viola Amherd, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Justice Minister Beat Jans.
- On Sunday, national security advisers from more than 80 countries discussed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s ten-point plan. Switzerland has invited people to do so. It is a success that 83 countries are taking part in developing a common understanding regarding the ten points, said Ignazio Cassis at a press conference on Sunday afternoon (January 14). Cassis described Zelensky’s ten-point plan as the basis for the peace process. Andri Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said at the end of the conference in the evening that the talks had been “encouraging”. The presentation of the individual ten points is now complete. To the report
- This week, 2,800 government representatives, CEOs, board presidents and envoys from international organizations from 120 countries, including 60 heads of state, are meeting in Davos. The theme of the 54th edition of the World Economic Forum is: “Rebuilding trust”. The opening ceremony takes place on Monday evening and things really get going on Tuesday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will give an opening speech. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will give a speech on Tuesday afternoon.
2,800 leaders will travel to Switzerland for the meeting, including 60 heads of state and government. The guest list is influenced by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. China and the USA will also be prominently represented in Davos.
The most prominent guest is probably Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is traveling to Switzerland for the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also expected. Prime Ministers from Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon are also on the guest list.
Prime Minister Li Qiang, who was appointed in March last year, will also appear in Davos. From the US, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are expected to attend. The new Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected.
In addition, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UN Secretary General António Guterres and numerous Federal Councilors will take part in the top meeting.
About the report: High-profile guests at the WEF 2024: Ukrainian President Zelenskiy and Argentine Head of State Milei are traveling to Davos
The WEF in Davos is a major challenge for the security forces. The tense geopolitical situation and the threat situation require increased deployment of police and army personnel.
The airspace over Davos has been closed since January 12th. Switzerland works closely with Italy and Austria. In addition, members of the army have built a 250 kilometer long protective fence around Davos.
The police are supported by around 5,000 army members. Half of the emergency services are on site. Cyber specialists, snipers and dog handlers are deployed.
The canton of Graubünden and the municipality of Davos bear the brunt of the costs for the security precautions. According to the federal government, the additional costs amount to around 9 million francs. This supports this with 2.55 million francs.
This year’s World Economic Forum aims to enable open dialogue between governments, the private sector and civil society and accelerate collaboration between public and private organizations. The goal: to keep an overview in a world that is becoming increasingly complex and full of crises – and to look for solutions together.
The WEF 2024 has four main topics:
- Security and collaboration: Numerous events are planned that revolve around current security crises such as those in the Middle East or Ukraine. Among others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will give speeches. Selenski was already the topic of discussion in Davos on Sunday: 83 countries discussed Selenski’s ten-point plan at a conference at the invitation of Switzerland.
- Growth and jobs: Davos will also discuss how economic growth can be ensured in the coming decade and new jobs can be created. Panels and speeches are planned on topics such as economic inequality, sustainable investments and supply chains of the future.
- Artificial intelligence: Advances in artificial intelligence have kept business and politics busy over the past year. AI will also be a big topic at the WEF.
- Climate, nature and energy: As in previous years, leaders at the WEF will also focus on climate change and energy supply.
A Ukraine conference also took place on the sidelines of the WEF. On Sunday, national security advisors from 83 countries discussed Volodimir Zelensky’s ten-point plan at the invitation of Switzerland. More on this
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab at a meeting of business representatives in the Chinese city of Tianjin in June 2023.
Tingshu Wang/Archyde.com
The World Economic Forum has existed since 1971. Klaus Schwab, who was an economics professor at the University of Geneva at the time, founded it. The original purpose of the event was to discuss modern management concepts. Politicians have only taken part in the meeting since 1994, and the WEF has officially had the status of an international organization in Switzerland since 2015. Around a thousand companies are members and pay high contributions.
The governing body of the World Economic Forum consists of some well-known personalities: members include IMF Director Kristalina Georgiewa, former American Vice President Al Gore, ECB President Christine Lagarde, WTO Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Queen Rania of Jordan and the Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider.
1705305825
#important #topics #participants