The annual World Economic Forum was held from the 20th – 24th of January in Davos, Switzerland and proved to be a platform for positive change and serious economic evaluations.
In this article, we’ll be providing you with a recap of the key events and statements from the five eventful days at the forum.
Day 1
The first day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos set the stage for a week of transformative discussions, cultural celebrations, and calls to action.
Inauguration and First Impressions
The meeting’s inaugural discussions coincided with Donald Trump’s swearing-in as president. Journalists Mina Al-Oraibi, Patrick Foulis, and Sam Jacobs led a dynamic conversation exploring America’s evolving global role, the interplay between rhetoric and policy, and the country’s domestic and international priorities.
Al-Oraibi reflected on the enduring influence of the United States, calling it “the most important superpower,” while questioning its foreign policy direction under the new administration. Foulis pointed to Trump’s robust domestic mandate, suggesting it could lead to heightened confidence in advancing domestic policy, though the gap between campaign promises and actionable growth strategies remained a key concern.
Celebrating Cultural Excellence: The Crystal Awards
As evening approached, attention shifted to the prestigious 2025 Crystal Awards, celebrating three cultural leaders whose work has inspired change across the globe.
David Beckham, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and children’s rights advocate emphasized the transformative potential of investing in young people, stating, “When children are given time, opportunity, and encouragement, they will reach their full potential.”
Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer and philanthropist, championed individual impact, saying, “We should not underestimate our individual power to do good.”
Riken Yamamoto, architect and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate, shared insights on architecture’s ability to foster memory and community, underscoring its social importance.
The awards served as a reminder of how creativity and advocacy converge to drive meaningful change.
The Opening Concert: A Climate Call Through Art
The evening crescendoed with a spectacular Opening Concert that combined classical music, electronic innovation, and AI-generated visuals. Centered on the theme of glacier preservation, the performance blended artistry with environmental advocacy, delivering a deeply moving call to action against climate change.
Open Forum: All Abilities Welcome
Running concurrently was the Open Forum “All Abilities Welcome,” which addressed the barriers faced by the 15% of the global population living with disabilities. Leaders such as Katy Talikowska, CEO of The Valuable 500, and David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, stressed the importance of equitable access to education and employment.
In his remarks, Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, called for more collaboration: “The only way to address urgent challenges and unlock new opportunities is through innovative, cooperative approaches.”
Day 2
The Forum’s second day was even more enlightening. From harnessing artificial intelligence to redefining energy security and tackling economic uncertainty, discussions underscored the need for innovation, collaboration, and leadership.
AI’s Transformative Promise
The day began with a compelling panel featuring Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and AWS CEO Matt Garman, who explored AI’s potential to address societal challenges. Sweet passionately spoke on how AI could revolutionize public services, healthcare, and food security, calling it a game-changer for how governments serve their citizens. Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson added, “AI doesn’t beat human plus AI,” suggesting that the future lies in synergizing human expertise with AI capabilities.
Growth and Regulation in an Uncertain World
Transitioning to economic priorities, a panel led by Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers tackled the “Future of Growth.” Friedman stressed the importance of balanced regulation; particularly as global markets adjust to the economic policies of the Trump-02 administration. Summers highlighted the need for long-term strategies to ensure sustainable growth.
Geoeconomics of Energy and Climate Action
Energy security took the spotlight during a session with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, who emphasized diversification as the “magic word” for energy stability. Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil, Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, called for deeper collaboration among nations to address climate and nature crises, setting an ambitious tone for the upcoming summit.
Key Addresses: Europe, China, and Beyond
A series of special addresses shaped the geopolitical narrative of the day:
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, underscored Europe’s strategic role in global innovation and resource competition, declaring, “The race is on.”
Ding Xuexiang, Vice-Premier of China, reiterated China’s commitment to fostering global economic partnerships.
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, championed the need for European unity amid shifting alliances.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, delivered a powerful speech on Europe’s need for a central role in global diplomacy, cautioning that falling behind in tech and geopolitical influence would leave Europe marginalized.
Diplomacy and Economic Cooperation
Panels throughout the day explored pressing diplomatic and economic issues. Qatar’s Prime Minister discussed balancing immediate security concerns with long-term global priorities, while WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala examined strategies to foster international economic cooperation in turbulent times.
Spotlight on Africa
Africa’s economic potential took centre stage with a discussion on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Leaders, including Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko, highlighted the continent’s renewable energy resources and growing innovation hubs as key drivers of a bright economic future.
Day 3
Towards Parity in Power
Women’s political representation was a key theme on the third day as Catherine De Bolle, François Valérian, and Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner tackled barriers to gender parity. The panel discussed the need for systemic reforms and global collaboration to close persistent gaps, especially in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Resilience in Emerging Economies
Gita Gopinath, IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director, noted the surprising resilience of emerging economies amidst global shocks. Bob Sternfels of McKinsey called for greater collaboration between governments and industries to mobilise capital for critical infrastructure.
Latin America’s Governance Challenges
Latin America’s governance issues were also part of the discussion, which featured the presidents of Peru and Panama. Dina Boluarte highlighted the region’s polarized political landscape and the rising demand for security. José Raúl Mulino reaffirmed Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal, addressing international tensions sparked by recent remarks from the U.S.
Climate and Nature: Urgency and Action
The urgent need for climate action was a recurring theme. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore joined leaders like Pedro Sánchez to reflect on the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Gore stressed that global temperature increases could be mitigated with rapid progress toward net-zero emissions, urging perseverance and innovation.
In a related session, John Kerry, Félix Tshisekedi, and Jozef Sikela discussed the Congo Basin’s critical role as the world’s largest tropical forest carbon sink. They called for bold policies and sustainable collaborations to preserve the basin while advancing economic development in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
AI for Equality
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, joined Brad Smith of Microsoft and Rwanda’s Paula Ingabire to address the global AI divide. They proposed strategies to democratize AI access and ensure it benefits all nations.
Regional Highlights: ASEAN and MENA
Leaders from ASEAN, including Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, presented a vision for regional growth through digital innovation and sustainable development. Muhammad Yunus challenged ASEAN to “redesign” its development model rather than replicate the West’s path.
In the Middle East and North Africa, ministers and business leaders discussed growth projections of 3.8% in 2025, highlighting investments in sustainability to stabilise economies amidst geopolitical uncertainty.
Defending Peace and Human Rights
UN Secretary-General António Guterres gave a speech in which he called for peace rooted in shared values during his address, while former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg joined Ukrainian leaders to outline steps toward resolving the ongoing conflict.
Day 4
The day began with a discussion on cybersecurity during Defending the Cyber Frontlines. Andrius Kubilius, the European Commission’s Commissioner for Defence and Space, led the conversation, emphasizing the increasing intersection of political and cyber conflicts. Cloudflare’s Matthew Prince warned that the reality of cyber warfare mirrors the physical wars seen in the headlines, underscoring the need for international cooperation in deterring digital threats.
As technology continues to redefine society, the Debating Technology town hall explored how emerging innovations, particularly in AI, can be harnessed responsibly. Meta’s Yann LeCun and Dava Newman introduced new concepts like “gen bio,” sparking a conversation about how biotechnology could shape the future alongside AI.
Changing work climate
In economic development, the discussion on Redrawing the Geography of Jobs and India’s Economic Blueprint offered fresh perspectives on global workforce mobility and the role of emerging economies in driving global growth. India’s impressive 8% growth last year positioned the nation as a key player in the ongoing transformation of the world economy.
Finally, the Leading Differently: The Neurodiverse Leaders session challenged traditional notions of leadership, as Katy Talikowska and Shanti Raghavan explored how neurodiverse individuals are reshaping the leadership landscape. This conversation dovetailed with discussions on the Flexibility 2.0 panel, which addressed the evolving dynamics of the global gig economy and the need for fair and sustainable practices for the more than 200 million gig workers worldwide.
The day concluded with a series of high-profile addresses, including one from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared, « America is back and open for business, » signalling a return to a more assertive international stance.
Day 5
Land Restoration: A Global Urgency
The day began with a critical discussion on land restoration, highlighting the growing problem of land degradation. Ibrahim Thiaw, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, said that reversing land degradation is a “massive undertaking” that requires both public and private sector collaboration. Iraq’s President, Abdulatif Rashid, echoed this urgency, calling land restoration an “urgent reality” and outlining Iraq’s strategies to combat land degradation.
Economic Growth in Middle-Income Countries
A panel explored the stagnation in middle-income countries, where growth has slowed due to global disruptions. With 6 billion people living in these economies, leaders discussed how to overcome this premature development slowdown. The conversation focused on challenging the status quo and implementing policies that stimulate growth, innovation, and resilience in these regions.
US, EU, and China: A Complex Triangle
The relationship between the US, EU, and China was the subject of an insightful panel discussion, where leaders debated how these economic powers can balance their interdependence with geo-economic interests. The session examined future trade, technology, and security dynamics, stressing the need for continued dialogue to prevent tensions and foster cooperation.
Global Economic Outlook: Confidence in Europe
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, and Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, shared their perspectives on the global economic landscape. Georgieva urged Europe to adopt more confidence, noting the stark contrast between Europe’s “modesty” and the US’s culture of confidence.
BlackRock’s Laurence Fink agreed with this sentiment, suggesting that Europe should not be overly pessimistic. However, he cautioned that inflation and debt remain global challenges, warning that complacency could undermine long-term growth.
Closing Reflections: Building for the Future
Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, delivered closing remarks, reflecting on the key takeaways from the week. He recapped the importance of global collaboration, innovation, and leadership in addressing the challenges of 2025 and beyond.
As the Forum concluded, the call for action was clear: the path forward requires bold leadership and a commitment to addressing global community challenges.
Written by Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar, USA/UN Correspondent.
