The 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 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,\" global leaders are convening to address pressing challenges and emphasize the urgent need for international collaboration.
The event gathers over 60 heads of state and government, along with political leaders, business executives, and experts, aiming to foster meaningful dialogue, find common ground, and seize opportunities to enact positive change on critical global issues. Key topics on the agenda include geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis, and the impact of rapid technological transformation on artificial intelligence and automation within the global economy.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang highlighted the significance of cooperation in advancing 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,\" Ding 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 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 said in her address.
Prior to the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab emphasized that the growing divisions in the world necessitate renewed cooperation. He called for a spirit of optimism and collaboration, stating 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 remarked.
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, the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos serves as a pivotal platform for leaders to collaborate and forge pathways toward a more cooperative and sustainable global future.
Reference(s):
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