Trump, Zelenskyy, and Scholz Among 60 Leaders Addressing WEF Meeting in Davos

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to host its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, next week. This event will feature speeches from 60 prominent political figures, including US President-elect Donald Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The gathering will bring together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, with 350 governmental leaders participating.

The meeting, starting on January 20, will focus on re-launching growth and harnessing new technologies amid a shifting global economy. Indian representatives will include five union ministers and three chief ministers. Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and Chairman, highlighted Davos's unique role in uniting decision-makers from government, business, and civil society to tackle global challenges.

Global Leaders and Key Participants

Trump will engage via live video link for an interactive session. In-person attendees include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China's Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang. Other notable leaders are South Africa President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and Spain President Pedro Sanchez. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus are also expected.

The WEF's Annual Meeting occurs amid significant global uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions and climate change. Borge Brende, WEF President and CEO, emphasised the need for innovative cooperation to address these challenges. He stated that the only way to tackle urgent issues is through collaborative approaches.

Business Leaders and Innovators

Over 1,600 business leaders will attend, including more than 900 top CEOs worldwide. Among them are Global Innovators and Tech Pioneers transforming industries. The meeting will also see participation from over 170 leaders from civil society sectors such as labour unions and non-governmental organisations.

Heads of international organisations like the World Trade Organization's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the International Monetary Fund's Kristalina Georgieva will be present. Other key figures include NATO's Mark Rutte and WHO's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. These leaders will contribute to discussions on fostering cooperation in a rapidly changing world.

The theme for this year's meeting is "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age." It aims to foster a spirit of cooperation despite differing views and uncertainties. The event seeks to shape a sustainable future by addressing pressing global issues through collective efforts.

This gathering marks a crucial moment as the world faces unprecedented challenges. The WEF aims to inspire constructive optimism by bringing together diverse voices to explore solutions for a more inclusive future.