The alpine town of Davos, Switzerland, became the epicenter of global collaboration on Monday as the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting kicked off.
Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age,\" nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions gathered to address the urgent need for unified action on shared global challenges.
Critical topics such as geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation are set to dominate discussions.
With over 60 heads of state and government in attendance, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, the forum aims to drive meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and seize opportunities for positive change on today's most pressing issues.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the significance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization during his speech.
\"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,\" he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also highlighted the need for global cooperation.
\"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,\" she stated.
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions.
\"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,\" Schwab said.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, addressed 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, underlining the importance of inclusive international collaboration.
The WEF Annual Meeting 2025 seeks to harness the collective wisdom and capabilities of global leaders to navigate the complexities of the modern world, fostering cooperation to build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
