Global political and business leaders opened the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 56th Annual Meeting dubbed "A Spirit of Dialogue," on Monday in Davos to discuss geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and the rapid rise of frontier technologies.
Nearly 3,000 participants from governments, companies and civil society groups are attending the four-day event, which organisers say aims to provide a neutral platform for dialogue at a time of strained international cooperation.
The WEF's leaders say that given the current uncertainty, gathering together to map out a way forward in business and politics is crucial.
But U.S. President Donald Trump's recent Greenland takeover threats, Ukraine peace talks and looming tariffs could disrupt the agenda.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies are also expected to dominate discussions, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang among the most prominent attendees.
Delegations from Europe, Asia and Latin America are due to outline national strategies for innovation, competitiveness and long-term growth.
This year’s meeting marks a leadership shift for the Forum, with new co-chairs taking over after founder Klaus Schwab stepped back from his role.
Organisers say the agenda focuses on how countries can operate in an increasingly contested landscape marked by shifting alliances, slow trade and persistent inflation. Labour disruptions driven by technology, pressure on public finances and climate-related risks are also central topics.
Away from the main programme, sideline meetings will draw senior officials and executives seeking clarity on policy directions and investment conditions.
Greenland tensions
European leaders are expected to raise concerns with U.S. President Donald Trump over Washington’s renewed interest in Greenland. The issue followed urgent talks in Brussels on Sunday (18 January), where European Union governments discussed potential responses to U.S. tariff threats, including €93 billion in retaliatory measures or the possible use of the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument.
European Union officials say the matter is likely to be addressed in bilateral discussions at the Swiss resort.
'Board of Peace' for Gaza
Diplomatic delegations are also watching for an expected announcement on the proposed Gaza “Board of Peace” and are expected to hold private discussions on the potential structure and scope of the plan. The initiative gained attention after Kazakhstan said it had agreed to join as a founding member.
Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine’s presence on the sidelines is set to centre on continued talks with U.S. officials over elements of a possible peace framework with Russia. Senior Ukrainian negotiators will build on discussions launched earlier in Washington, focusing on security guarantees, reconstruction priorities and energy resilience, while Ukraine House Davos 2026 will host parallel meetings aimed at broadening international support for long-term recovery.
Billionaire wealth and global inequality
A new Oxfam report released to coincide with the Davos meeting said billionaire wealth rose 16% last year to $18.3 trillion, the fastest pace in five years and an increase that has widened economic and political divides.
The group said soaring valuations in AI companies and policy choices under Trump helped drive the surge, which has pushed the global billionaire population above 3,000.
Oxfam warned that extreme concentration of wealth is eroding democratic stability, noting research indicating billionaires are thousands of times more likely than ordinary citizens to hold political office.
The charity urged governments to adopt national inequality reduction plans, raise taxes on extreme wealth and strengthen limits on political influence as global poverty and food insecurity intensify.
Afghanistan and Qatar have signalled interest in expanding cooperation in investment and agriculture during talks in Doha, as Afghanistan’s defence ...
Five skiers were killed in a pair of avalanches in Austria’s western Alpine regions on Saturday, with two others injured, one critically....
Uzbekistan is entering what regulators describe as the most complex phase of its banking reform, as the country moves to align its financial system wi...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join his U.S. counterpart's Gaza Board of Peace, the Kremlin says. Moscow says it is studying the...
The German and French finance ministers said on Monday that European powers would not be blackmailed and that there would be a clear and united respon...
The world is entering a more unstable and fragmented phase as global cooperation declines and rivalry between major powers intensifies, the World Economic Forum has warned.
Business and political leaders are gathering in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s(WEF) annual meeting as uncertainty over the global economic and political order deepens, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies challenging long-standing international norms.
Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos became a symbol of globalisation, has resigned as chair of its trustees.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, concluded on January 23.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday (17 January) that concerns over security in Greenland should be addressed within the framework of NATO, describing a ground military intervention as highly unlikely.
Elon Musk is seeking up to $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing that the companies profited unfairly from his early support of the artificial intelligence firm, according to a court filing made public on Friday.
European leaders voiced growing alarm on Sunday over U.S. threats to impose tariffs on eight NATO allies, warning the move could destabilize transatlantic relations and heighten tensions in the Arctic.
Trump administration officials held months-long discussions with Venezuela’s hardline interior minister Diosdado Cabello before the U.S. operation that led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a decree recognising Kurdish language rights, as government forces advanced against U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters despite U.S. calls for restraint.
Afghanistan and Qatar have signalled interest in expanding cooperation in investment and agriculture during talks in Doha, as Afghanistan’s defence chief attended a major regional defence exhibition.
The German and French finance ministers said on Monday that European powers would not be blackmailed and that there would be a clear and united response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of higher tariffs over Greenland.
An explosion at a steel plate factory in China's northern region of Inner Mongolia killed two people and injured 84, Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Union said on Monday, adding that eight are missing.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday (19 January) she would call a snap national election on 8 February, seeking a popular mandate for higher public spending, tax cuts and a new security strategy expected to accelerate Japan’s defence build-up.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join his U.S. counterpart's Gaza Board of Peace, the Kremlin says. Moscow says it is studying the proposal and hoping for contact from Washington, DC.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment