The 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting commenced in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, drawing nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions. Under the theme \"Cooperation in the Intelligent Age,\" the forum aims to address the urgent need for global collaboration to tackle shared challenges.
With over 60 heads of state and government in attendance, alongside political leaders, business executives, and experts, this year's meeting seeks to foster meaningful dialogue on critical issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological transformation and its impact on artificial intelligence and automation in the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang highlighted 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 said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also emphasized 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 stated in her speech.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab called for renewed cooperation in the face of growing global divisions, urging 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 remarked.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, addressed the importance 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.
The meeting in Davos underscores a collective recognition that global challenges require unified responses. As the world navigates complex issues in the intelligent age, the emphasis on cooperation and shared solutions remains paramount.
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