The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting commenced in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", the gathering aims to address pressing global challenges through collaboration and dialogue.
Over the course of the event, more than 60 heads of state and government will join political leaders, business executives, and experts to discuss critical issues ranging from escalating geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
In his keynote speech, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang underscored the importance of cooperation in advancing economic globalization. \"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 stated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the call for global collaboration. \"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 emphasized in her address.
Ahead of the meeting, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the necessity for renewed cooperation amidst growing global divisions. He called for a spirit of optimism and collaboration, aiming to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future in the emerging intelligent era. \"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 remarked.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, stressed the importance of robust 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 significance of inclusive international collaboration.
As the world navigates complex challenges, the WEF 2025 annual meeting serves as a crucial platform for leaders to find common ground and drive meaningful change. The consensus emerging from Davos underscores that global cooperation is essential in shaping a prosperous and sustainable future in the intelligent age.
Reference(s):
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