In a display of unity and shared purpose, nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions convened on Monday as the 2025 World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting opened in Davos, Switzerland. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", global leaders, business executives, and experts gathered to address the urgent need for collaboration in tackling today's most pressing challenges.
With over 60 heads of state and government in attendance, the forum set the stage for meaningful dialogue on 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 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 unity. \"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.
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for a renewed spirit of optimism and collaboration, citing the growing divisions within the world. \"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 affirmed.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, also 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.
As the world navigates the complexities of the Intelligent Age, the WEF 2025 in Davos serves as a critical platform for leaders to find common ground, seize opportunities, and drive positive change for a sustainable and inclusive future.
Reference(s):
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