This year's World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting is scheduled to be held from January 20 to 24 in Davos, Switzerland. The event is expected to bring together close to 3,000 leaders from politics, academia, and business, including 60 heads of state and government.
Throughout its history, the WEF has been a catalyst for significant global dialogues and initiatives. Notably, in 1992, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk met outside South Africa for the first time at Davos, symbolizing a turning point in the fight against apartheid. In 1998, amid the financial crisis, Davos attendees laid the groundwork for the Group of 20 by proposing a platform for economic cooperation between developed and developing nations.
The increasing gap between aspirations and anxieties was evident last year, and the agenda for Davos 2025 is anticipated to be even more critical. Geopolitical and economic uncertainty, trade tensions, cultural polarization, and climate challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. Meanwhile, breakthroughs in quantum computing, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence present unique opportunities to improve productivity, enhance living standards, and reduce poverty and inequality.
Davos 2025 will center on \"Collaborating for the Intelligent Age.\" This theme highlights how converging technologies are rapidly transforming our world with the potential to both uplift and divide humanity. Under this overarching theme, the forum will focus on five priorities: \"Rethinking Growth,\" \"Industries in the Intelligent Age,\" \"Investing in People,\" \"Safeguarding the Planet,\" and \"Rebuilding Trust.\"
The upcoming forums are expected to address these pressing issues by fostering collaboration and dialogue among global leaders. As the world navigates the challenges and opportunities of the intelligent age, the WEF continues to provide a vital platform for shaping the future.
