The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, gathering nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions to address the urgent need for global collaboration in tackling shared challenges.
Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age,\" the event is set to discuss critical topics ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological transformations and their impact on artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
More than 60 heads of state and government are joining political leaders, business executives, and experts to drive meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and seize opportunities for positive change on today's most pressing global issues.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the significance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization during his speech at the forum.
\"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 underscored 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 in her speech.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted that the growing divisions within the world require renewed cooperation, calling for a spirit of optimism and collaboration. He expressed that the 2025 meeting aims 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 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.
As the world faces complex challenges that transcend borders, the call for enhanced global cooperation at the WEF 2025 meeting in Davos reflects a collective desire to forge a path toward a more interconnected and sustainable future.
Reference(s):
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