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,\" the event seeks to address the urgent need for global collaboration to tackle shared challenges.
Critical topics on the agenda include geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the impact of rapid technological transformation—particularly artificial intelligence and automation—on the global economy.
Over 60 heads of state and government, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, have gathered 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 underscored 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 echoed the call 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 address.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab emphasized that growing divisions in the world require renewed cooperation, calling for 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 remarked.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, highlighted the importance of strong global governance in the face of rapid technological change. He pointed out China's contributions in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, underlining the significance of inclusive international collaboration.
Reference(s):
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