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 event focuses on fostering global collaboration to address pressing challenges.
Over 60 heads of state and government, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, are engaging in discussions on critical topics such as geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the impact of rapid technological transformation on the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the importance of cooperation in promoting economic globalization. \"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 the call for global 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 in her speech.
WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the necessity for renewed cooperation amid growing global divisions. He called for 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 remarked.
Jeremy Jurgens, the managing director of WEF, 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 significance of inclusive international collaboration.
The WEF 2025 meeting aims to drive meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and seize opportunities to enact positive changes on today's most pressing global issues. As the world navigates the challenges of the Intelligent Age, leaders at Davos are advocating for cooperation as the cornerstone of progress.
Reference(s):
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