Davos, Switzerland — The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting opened on Monday, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions to discuss the urgent need for global collaboration in tackling shared challenges. The event, themed \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age,\" aims to address critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformation impacting the global economy.
Over 60 heads of state and government have convened alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts to foster meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and seize opportunities for positive change on today's most pressing global issues.
Emphasis on Global Cooperation
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 echoed this sentiment, emphasizing 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 address.
Calls for Optimism and Collaboration
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab urged renewed cooperation amidst growing divisions within the world, calling for a spirit of optimism and collaboration. He underscored the meeting's objective 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 remarked.
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.
Reference(s):
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