German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will be in Davos (GR) for the WEF annual meeting next week. This edition will be “the most timely and consistent” ever organized, according to its founder Klaus Schwab.
More than 50 heads of state and government are expected for the first face-to-face meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in more than two years due to the pandemic. In total, nearly 2,500 political, private sector and civil society leaders are expected.
The political and economic situation linked to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine “is unprecedented”, Schwab told reporters on Wednesday. According to him, it constitutes a break from the international environment of the post-Second World War and the post-Cold War period.
Mr. Scholz, who chairs the G7 this year, will speak for the first time in Davos as head of government. For his part, Mr. Stoltenberg will arrive in the Graubünden station when NATO is soon to consider the candidacies of Sweden and Finland in a period of significant tension with Moscow.
Russia, undesirable, will not be represented this year at the annual meeting, while it largely supported the activities of the organization until now. “It was the right decision,” insists WEF president Borge Brende. And to hope that Moscow honors its international obligations in the coming years to become frequentable again.
Many Ukrainians
The WEF did not hesitate to distance itself from this important player from the start of the war. “We will do everything we can to support Ukraine” in its recovery, added Mr. Schwab. A few days ago, the organization had already revealed that this country would be at the center of the annual meeting.
After his numerous speeches in front of parliaments or major international events, President Volodymyr Zelensky will be the first foreign leader to speak to participants on Monday, from kyiv. The mayor of the Ukrainian capital Vitaly Klitschko is physically expected, as is the head of diplomacy Dmitro Kuleba.
A strong Ukrainian delegation, from the government to the private sector and civil society, is planned. Including parliamentarians. A discussion between bosses on the situation in this country will also take place.
Another important theme, the WEF wants to make its annual meeting “a climate summit”. Many ministers in charge of this issue will be present. Just like dozens of those in charge of finances, while inflation and food insecurity affect many countries.
Several Federal Councilors
Among the political leaders expected are the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the Spanish Government Pedro Sanchez, the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the German Minister of the Economy Robert Habeck. As well as several African and South American heads of state.
For their part, the federal councilors will make the trip to Davos in large numbers, as always. The President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis will deliver the opening speech on Monday, before speaking at several discussions organized at the Swiss House.
After the list of questions recently sent by the European Commission to unblock the dialogue with Bern, it is not certain that he will meet Ms von der Leyen, or another European official. Sources in Brussels had hinted that Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, in charge of institutional matters, would not come to the Grisons station.
In addition to the President of the Commission, that of the European Parliament will also be present. After several online editions, the WEF was postponed this year by several months due to the pandemic.
This article has been published automatically. Source: ats