Online Reporter
Amid ongoing conflict, economic uncertainty and rapid technological advancements, Heads of State are gathering in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025.
The summit, taking place from January 20-25, 2025, is being held under the theme of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” and is welcoming close to 3 000 attendees from over 130 countries.
Many of the world leaders have delivered addresses and participated in public dialogues.
Here’s what some have said.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered a special address during the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting. “The world today is still nearly as connected as ever,” she stated. “But it has also started fracturing along new lines.”
Von der Leyen urged private and public sector leaders to work together, noting that it is in “no one’s interest to break the bonds of the global economy.”
Ding Xuexiang, Vice-Premier of the People’s Republic of China: In a special address, Chinese Vice-Premier Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang called on governments to uphold the institutions of multilateralism and warned against the increasing use of protectionist policies. “Trade wars have no winners,” he stated.
“We need to jointly uphold and practice true multilateralism,” Ding said. “Multilateralism is the right way to maintain world peace and promote human progress. It is the golden key to solving the difficulties and challenges facing the world.”
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany:
In a special address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz detailed efforts to strengthen Europe as the global geopolitical landscape gets increasingly complex.
“Predictability, honesty and reliability are having an increasingly difficult time,” he said, adding that at the same time the world is becoming more “complicated and complex.”
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa:
In a special address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa detailed the emerging opportunities for Africa, noting that the African Union’s entry into the G20 marked a major milestone for global cooperation.
“Cooperation has been one of the key markers of human development, touching on many aspects of human life,” Ramaphosa said. “Cooperation is the bedrock of human civilization.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar: In a conversation with World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. Topics of discussion included political shifts in Lebanon, the new government in Syria and the recent Gaza ceasefire deal.
Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia:
In conversation with World Economic Forum Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim explored the latest political developments in Southeast Asia and the pressing issues facing the global economy.
“We focus on the economic fundamentals,” Ibrahim said when speaking about collaboration between Southeast Asian countries.
