The 54th meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has commenced in Davos, marked by a sense of uncertainty regarding the global economic downturn and the management of rising inflation worldwide.
Key issues on the WEF's agenda include the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, with concerns about its potential escalation in the Middle East, and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, which has entered its second year, causing disruptions in global supply chains for essential raw materials needed for infrastructure growth.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the gathering, shedding light on his country's situation in the face of the Russian invasion. There's a growing concern among nations that failure to halt the conflict might encourage territorial ambitions by other countries.
The WEF, scheduled to conclude on January 19th, traditionally brings together influential figures from politics, business, and culture in an alpine village in Switzerland. The discussions at the event are expected to focus on conflicts in the Middle East, trust in governmental and business institutions, and the challenges posed by climate change.
The conference format includes speeches, dialogues, panel discussions on various topics, and additional sidebar conversations and social gatherings. Past events have seen notable figures such as US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Jacques Yvez-Cousteau, Tony Blair, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, and Bono.
Among the confirmed attendees for the 2024 event are US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, new Argentine President Javier Milei, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This year's conference follows a report from The Conference Board highlighting global economic downturn and inflation as major concerns for CEOs worldwide.
(With Agency Inputs)
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