The World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2025 annual meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, drawing nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", global leaders are convening to address urgent challenges requiring collective action.
Over 60 heads of state and government, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, are engaging in meaningful dialogue aimed at fostering positive change on pressing global issues such as geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the significance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization during his speech at the forum. He remarked, \"Through cooperation to promote economic globalization, we will usher in a more vibrant, advanced, and sustainable new stage. I believe we have the wisdom and capability to find mutually beneficial cooperation through communication and consultation, and I also recognize the challenges in further advancing economic globalization.\"
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the call for global cooperation. In her address, she stated, \"We will need to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom. Because it is in no one's interest to break the bonds in the global economy.\"
Prior to the opening of the forum, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the need for renewed collaboration amidst growing global divisions. He expressed optimism about the meeting's potential impact, saying, \"Despite divergent positions and great uncertainties, the Annual Meeting 2025 will foster a spirit of cooperation and constructive optimism with the objective of shaping the forthcoming Intelligent Age in a more sustainable and inclusive way.\"
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, underscored the importance of strong global governance in the face of rapid technological change. He highlighted China's contributions in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the necessity of inclusive international collaboration.
As the Intelligent Age unfolds, the WEF 2025 meeting in Davos serves as a critical platform for leaders to find common ground and seize opportunities to address the world's most pressing challenges through cooperation and a shared vision.
Reference(s):
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