The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age\", the gathering seeks to address urgent global challenges through enhanced collaboration.
Leaders from over 60 nations, alongside political figures, business executives, and experts, have convened to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid technological transformations impacting artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the vital role of cooperation in advancing economic globalization. \"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 also highlighted the importance 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 remarked in her speech.
Ahead of the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for renewed cooperation to address the growing divisions within the world. He expressed 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, addressed the significance of strong global governance amidst 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.
Reference(s):
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