And we’re here again this year. Private jets are ready, the luxury hotels booked, the bottles of champagne chilled. From January 15th to 19th, 2,800 politicians, managers, bankers and journalists will “descend” into the village of Davos, in the Swiss Alps where the annual summit of World Economic Forum, arrived at 54th edition. Four hot topics at the center of the event. As for some years now we will be discussing climate change (still arriving at the conference with personal aircraft and SUV). We will address the topic of risks and opportunities related to the spread of‘Artificial intelligence. But in the 2024 edition, inevitably, we will also talk about the new one Middle Eastern crisis and the persistent Ukrainian crisis.
In particular the Forum, in which the Ukrainian president will also participate Volodymyr Zelenskiy, it should be an opportunity for a discussion with the Western allies to develop a new “road map” for attempt to define a way out of the conflict. Those followed so far have not gone as hoped and the conflict is preparing to enter its third year. “We are already preparing for the Davos forum. To present our position and our capabilities,” writes Zelensky on values, not the madness of this or that dictator.”
We are already preparing for the Davos forum. For presenting our position and capabilities.
Common capabilities of everyone across the globe who wants to leave a world where stability reigns and freedom means something to their children.
Where our values, not the lunacy of… pic.twitter.com/23FpY33c1v
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) January 13, 2024
In addition to Zelenskiy, 60 other heads of state will arrive in Davos, including Emmanuel Macron (France)Pedro Sánchez (Spain), Alexander De Croo (Belgium), Mark Rutte (Holland) and the new president of Argentina, Javier Miley. There will be no Chinese Xi Jinping but the Beijing delegation is announced to be large and led by Prime Minister Li Qiang. The president of the EU Commission will also participate Ursula von der Leyen and the US secretary of state Anthony Blinken. The president of the European Central Bank will speak on Wednesday 17 January Christine Lagarde. The UN Secretary General António Guterres and the director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva will also be there. Only the Minister of Economy will arrive from Italy Giancarlo Giorgetti. The work sessions on the agenda are 200. Wednesday meeting, behind closed doors, between 100 presidents and CEOs of the banking and financial sector.
The title of the 2024 edition is Rebuilding Trust, rebuild trust. It is a significant, touching title one of the exposed nerves of elites who meet in Switzerland among whom there is a vague underlying restlessness. Proliferation of conflicts, climate crises and emerging or resurgent powers are challenging the posture of capitalist powers and the sustainability of a development model. A survey published by the WEF showed that extreme climate events and the propagation of disinformation and fake news are considered by risk specialists as the most likely causes of a global crisis in the next two years. But in reality the discontent is deeper. Klaus Schwab, “creator” of the Forum and still executive president of the organization declared: “We are faced with a world in which fractures are multiplying and social divisions are growing. This produces pervasive uncertainty and pessimism. We must rebuild trust in our future by going beyond crisis management, examining the root causes of current problems and building a more promising future together.” Meanwhile, let’s get oysters and champagne.