DAVOS, Switzerland — The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced on Monday, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \\"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\\", global leaders convened to address the urgent need for collaboration in tackling the world's most pressing challenges.
Over 60 heads of state and government, alongside business executives, experts, and political leaders, gathered in the Swiss alpine town to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang underscored the significance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization during his keynote speech. \\"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 emphasized in her address.
Prior to the meeting's opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the necessity of renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions. He called for a spirit of optimism and collaboration, noting 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 acknowledged the contributions of China in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, underlining the importance of inclusive international collaboration.
The forum seeks to find common ground and seize opportunities for positive change, emphasizing that cooperation is essential to navigate the complexities of today's interconnected world.
Reference(s):
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