Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland. The event brought together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions, including over 60 heads of state and government, aiming to address the urgent need for global collaboration to tackle shared challenges.
Leaders from around the world, encompassing political figures, business executives, and experts, have converged to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformation impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice Premier, 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 necessity of 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 address.
Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for renewed cooperation amidst growing global divisions, urging a spirit of optimism and collaboration. He expressed that the 2025 meeting aims 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, 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 navigates an era of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the WEF annual meeting serves as a crucial platform for leaders to find common ground and drive positive change on pressing global issues.
Reference(s):
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