Economy, war and climate change, issues at the Davos World Forum

The World Economic Forum is back with its first winter meeting since 2020 in the Swiss alpine city of Davos, where leaders seek to bridge political divides in a polarized world, shore up a faltering economy and address concerns about climate change, among others. many other things.

The sessions will cover topics as diverse as the future of fertilizers, the role of sport in society, the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and much more.

Nearly 600 CEOs and more than 50 heads of state or government are expected, but it is never clear how many concrete actions emerge from this elite event.

Here’s what to watch as the four-day debate and related deals get underway on Tuesday.

Who will be?

Back in the snow for the first time since the pandemic and just eight months after a spring 2022 session, the event will feature European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the United States’ climate envoy, John Kerry, and the new presidents of South Korea, Colombia and the Philippines.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He was at the meeting on Tuesday, a day before his first meeting with his US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in Zurich. Yellen won’t be in Davos.

Nor will US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. And Russian President Vladimir Putin, of course.

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska spoke from Davos on Tuesday, while her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will give a remote speech on Wednesday.

Prioritizing the weather

A major climate issue emerging from the forum panel sessions is the energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Former US Vice President Al Gore will speak on decarbonization, efforts to create clean energy infrastructure, and ensuring a just transition.

critical voices

The Davos gathering is regularly criticized by detractors who argue that attendees are too disconnected or have profit or power in mind when addressing the needs of ordinary people and the planet.

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