The 2025 World Economic Forum's (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 gathered to address the urgent need for collaboration in tackling shared global challenges.
With over 60 heads of state and government in attendance, the forum aims to foster meaningful dialogue on critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to the rapid advancement of technology and its impact on artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
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 echoed the call 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 expressed in her address.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab highlighted the growing divisions within the world and the necessity for renewed cooperation, calling for a spirit of optimism and collaboration.
\"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 complex challenges and opportunities presented by the Intelligent Age, leaders at the WEF 2025 meeting are poised to find common ground and seize opportunities for positive change, reinforcing the critical role of global cooperation in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.
Reference(s):
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