What is the World Economic Forum in Davos? Trump is speaking today

On By Littum

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The World Economic Forum annual meeting, an annual gathering of global elites famously held in Davos, Switzerland, is more than halfway through, with President Donald Trump set to take the virtual stage this morning for a speech.

Better known simply as “Davos”, the summit is a place where policy and major agreements and decisions are often shaped. The non-profit World Economic Forum (WEF) hosts this meeting between the public and private sectors to encourage global collaboration and work towards solutions to the world’s greatest ills today.

Now in its 55th year, eyes are on Davos and its long list of heavy hitters as they meet under the 2025 theme of “Cooperation for the Intelligent Age.” Here’s what you need to know.

What is the World Economic Forum?

The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, colloquially known simply as “Davos”, is an annual gathering of elites, including leaders in government, business and civil society. Over the course of four days, decision makers from around the globe discuss what they see as today’s big issues and plans to tackle them. The WEF focuses on promoting collaboration between the private and public sectors to “make the world a better place for all.”

According to WEF websitebusiness partnerships, political breakthroughs and politics can and often do emerge from the summit, which was first held in 1971. It is an invitation-only event with many private conversations taking place, adding to the air of mystery. about the event among the public.

When and where is the World Economic Forum held?

The WEF meeting is always held in Davos, Switzerland. Located in the Swiss mountains, Davos is the highest city in Europe measured in height. The organization was founded as the “European Management Symposium” by Professor Klaus Schwab in 1971, primarily to discuss Schwab’s “stakeholder theory,” or his vision that companies should serve all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

In 1973, the annual meeting endorsed the Davos Manifesto, a code of ethics for business leaders that sets out Schwab’s principles of stakeholder capitalism.

Davos is typically hosted in January. The meeting has taken place in Davos in January for most of its existence, except for 2001, when it was held in New York City after the 9/11 attacks, and 2021 through 2022, when it was virtually held due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

When is Davos this year?

Davos takes place from 20-24 January this year. The theme is “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”

Who is attending Davos?

Davos is an invitation-only event for world leaders and decision-makers, including politicians, academics and business people across the public and private sectors. According to the WEF, it also invites “activists, artists, labor leaders, members of indigenous communities and prominent youth voices.”

WEF lists a number of big names plans to attend the 2025 session on its website. Some politicians include Donald Trump; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China; Chancellor of Germany; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund will be present from the international organizations category, while over 1,600 business leaders and more than 170 civil society and social sector leaders will also attend.

Some of these include David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee; Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and Luc Triangle, Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation.

What’s happening in Davos?

Today, Davos hosts more than 300 sessions, 200 of which are live-streamed to a global audience, all “aimed at accelerating progress and tackling global challenges.”

It lists some of its overarching focuses over the years as climate change, inclusion, diversity and the economy. WEF also releases Global Risks Reportprior to the annual meeting to identify the year’s major topics.

When will Trump speak in Davos?

Trump will make a virtual appearance in Davos on Thursday at 11 ET, followed by a question-and-answer session. Sessions like these are available for public viewing at WEF YouTube page.