The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting kicked off 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 and experts have gathered to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities for collaborative action.
This year's meeting centers on critical topics such as escalating geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy. More than 60 heads of state and government, alongside business executives and experts, are convening to foster meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and drive positive change on today's most urgent issues.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang underscored the importance 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 remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for global collaboration. \"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.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the necessity for renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions. He called for a spirit of optimism and collaboration, aiming 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, also 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, underscoring the importance of inclusive international collaboration.
Reference(s):
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