Davos 2025 kicks off to address key global and regional challenges

The 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos opened on Monday in the Swiss resort town, with the theme "Cooperation in the Age of Intelligence." The forum, which runs until January 24, brings together global leaders to address key global and regional challenges, including responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating economic growth to improve living standards, and managing a just and inclusive energy transition.

This year's forum gathers nearly 3,000 distinguished individuals from over 130 countries and various sectors, aiming to foster dialogue, build trust, and drive collaborative action. Davos 2025 will be attended by more than 350 government leaders, including 60 heads of state and government. Participants include U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (who will participate in interactive sessions via video link), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, among others.

Over 1,600 business leaders, including more than 900 CEOs and board chairs from World Economic Forum member companies and partners, as well as over 120 global innovators, technology leaders, and startup founders, will also participate in the forum. The forum's discussions will revolve around five key pillars: rebuilding trust, reshaping growth, investing in people, protecting the planet, and industries in the age of intelligence.

On the first day of Davos 2025, three distinguished cultural leaders will be honored at the Crystal Awards ceremony, in recognition of their challenging conventional thinking, inspiring change, and helping to envision a more inclusive world. These include UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global children's rights advocate David Beckham, fashion designer, philanthropist, and women's rights advocate Diane von Furstenberg, and architect, social activist, and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto. The forum will also feature some early perspectives from historians and media leaders on the U.S. Inauguration Day.

The first day of Davos 2025 will also host the "Welcome All Abilities" forum, where leaders and experts such as Katie Talikowska, CEO of "The Valuable 500," and David Edwards, Secretary General of Education International, will discuss how to effectively remove barriers and support equal rights and opportunities for all. Approximately 15% of the world's population lives with a disability, and they face significant challenges in education and employment. Additionally, Davos 2025 released the report "Open but Secure: Europe’s Path to Strategic Interdependence" today, exploring how Europe can balance sovereignty and cooperation to secure its future on the global stage. The forum's opening day will also see the signing of the Indonesia Jobs Accelerator agreement and the joining of several countries and companies in the Responsible Renewable Energy Infrastructure initiative.