The 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) commenced in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. The gathering focuses on the urgent need for global collaboration to address shared challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.
Themed \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age,\" the event will delve into critical topics ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological transformations, including the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the global economy.
Over 60 heads of state and government are joining political leaders, business executives, and experts to engage in meaningful dialogue. The aim is to find common ground and seize opportunities for positive change on today's most pressing global issues.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized 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 said.
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 stated in her speech.
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted that growing divisions within 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 said.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, addressed the importance of strong global governance in the face of rapid technological change. He highlighted the contributions of the Chinese mainland in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, underlining the importance of inclusive international collaboration.
The 2025 WEF meeting aims to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future in the emerging intelligent era, fostering collaboration among global leaders to tackle the collective challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements and geopolitical shifts.
Reference(s):
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