The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", global leaders are convening to address urgent challenges and emphasize the necessity for collective action.
The gathering aims to tackle critical topics ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological transformation, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the global economy.
Over 60 heads of state and government, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, are engaging in meaningful dialogue to find common ground and seize opportunities for making positive change on today's most pressing global issues.
Emphasis on Economic Globalization
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang highlighted 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 stated.
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 said in her speech.
Calls for Optimism and Collaboration
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions, emphasizing a spirit of optimism and collaboration. \"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 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 reported by China Media Group News Radio.
The 2025 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos serves as a pivotal platform for leaders to collaborate on building a more sustainable and inclusive future in the Intelligent Age, emphasizing that global challenges require global solutions.
Reference(s):
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