The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting 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 have gathered to address the urgent need for collaboration in tackling shared challenges.
Critical topics on the agenda include geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy. Over 60 heads of state and government are participating in dialogues aimed at finding common ground and driving 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 stated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also highlighted 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 said in her speech.
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab underscored the growing divisions within the world and called for renewed cooperation. He emphasized fostering a spirit of optimism and collaboration 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 WEF, 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, underlining the importance of inclusive international collaboration.
As the world grapples with shared challenges, the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting serves as a critical platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation among global leaders. The discussions and initiatives emerging from Davos aim to pave the way toward a more interconnected and sustainable future.
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