Amid rising geopolitical tensions, accelerating climate change, and rapid technological advancements, the World Economic Forum (WEF) will urge global leaders to prioritize collaboration at its 55th annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, this week.
China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang will join 350 senior government officials, over 900 CEOs, and corporate chairs at the five-day forum starting Monday. Ding is set to deliver a special address on Tuesday. Other notable speakers include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and US President-elect Donald Trump, who will join via video link on Thursday.
WEF founder Klaus Schwab stated that despite diverse perspectives and uncertainties, the meeting will promote cooperation and optimism to shape a sustainable and inclusive intelligent age.
Themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” the forum will host over 300 sessions focusing on economic growth, technological shifts, workforce reskilling, climate action, and enhancing global cooperation resilience.
A key topic of discussion will be the impact of technologies, especially artificial intelligence, on business and society. The forum will launch a new AI report series addressing responsible large-scale adoption and strategies for inclusive AI development across industries.
Economic recovery also takes center stage. A WEF survey of chief economists revealed that 56% foresee weaker global economic conditions by 2025, although 48% remain optimistic about increased global trade despite protectionism concerns.
China’s economic direction is critical to global growth discussions. A panel titled “Decoding China’s Economy” on Wednesday will explore the nation’s policies and its focus on high-quality development driven by technological innovation, as outlined in its recent Central Economic Work Conference.
WEF President Borge Brende expressed optimism about China’s medium- and long-term economic prospects, highlighting its efforts to boost domestic consumption and its 2024 GDP growth of 5%. He noted that China’s growing pool of college graduates will play a vital role in the intelligent age.
Despite geopolitical challenges, the WEF’s Global Cooperation Barometer 2025, developed with McKinsey & Co, indicates progress in areas like climate and nature. Brende emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Global problems require global solutions.”
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