The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting for 2025 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, business executives, and experts have gathered to address pressing challenges demanding urgent international collaboration.
With over 60 heads of state and government in attendance, the forum aims to foster meaningful dialogue on critical 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 highlighted the pivotal role of cooperation in advancing economic globalization during his address at the forum.
\"Through cooperation to promote economic globalization, we will usher in a more vibrant, advanced, and sustainable new stage,\" Ding stated. \"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 collaboration.
\"We will need to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom,\" she said. \"Because it is in no one's interest to break the bonds in the global economy.\"
Ahead of the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab emphasized the necessity of renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions. He expressed optimism about shaping 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 WEF, underscored the importance of strong global governance in the face of rapid technological change. He highlighted contributions from China in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for inclusive international collaboration.
As the world navigates complex challenges, the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting serves as a crucial platform for leaders to find common ground and seize opportunities for positive change, reinforcing the imperative of global cooperation in the intelligent age.
Reference(s):
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