Davos 2025: Global cooperation takes center stage at WEF annual meeting

The 2025 edition of the annual World Economic Forum's (WEF) meeting opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday with nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries and regions gathering to talk about the urgent need for global collaboration to tackle shared challenges.

Themed "Cooperation in the Intelligent Age," the event is expected to discuss critical topics ranging from geopolitical tensions, the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological transformation and its impact on artificial intelligence and automation on the global economy.

Over 60 heads of state and government will gather together in the forum with other political leaders, business executives and experts, to drive meaningful dialogue, find common ground and seize opportunities for making positive change on today's most pressing global issues.

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 said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also emphasized the need 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 a speech.

Before the opening, WEF Founder Klaus Schwab said that the growing divisions within the world require renewed cooperation, calling for a spirit of optimism and collaboration. He said 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 said.

Jeremy Jurgens, the managing director of WEF, also 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, China Media Group News Radio reported.

(Cover via VCG)