The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, drawing nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", global leaders, business executives, and experts gathered to address the urgent need for international collaboration in tackling shared challenges.
Over 60 heads of state and government convened to discuss critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the escalating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformations impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy. The forum aims to foster 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 importance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization during his address to the forum. \"Through cooperation to promote economic globalization, we will usher in a more vibrant, advanced, and sustainable new stage,\" he stated. \"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.\"
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.
Ahead of the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab emphasized that the 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 to China's contributions in areas such as economic growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, underlining the necessity of inclusive international collaboration.
As the forum progresses, participants hope to chart a course toward a more sustainable and inclusive future, leveraging technology and cooperation to address the complex challenges of the Intelligent Age.
Reference(s):
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