World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos: Focused on "Rebuilding Trust"

Davos, Switzerland The tranquil town of Davos is set to host the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) from January 15 to 19, 2024. With the theme "Rebuilding Trust," this year's gathering aims to bring together global leaders to address pressing issues and work towards collaborative solutions.

The Theme: "Rebuilding Trust"

The chosen theme underscores the imperative of restoring trust when facing complex global challenges, including geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and the rapid evolution of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). The focus is on moving beyond the acknowledgement of problems to actively seeking solutions, emphasising transparency, consistency, and accountability.

Attendees and Participants

Over 100 governments, major international organisations, and the Forum's 1000 partner companies are expected to attend. The diverse roster includes prominent figures such as Ajay S. Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA); Cindy H. McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP); Mohammad Abdulla AlGergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Programme Pillars for WEF 2024

The WEF 2024's agenda is structured around four pivotal themes:

Achieving Security and Cooperation in a Fractured World:

    • Addressing immediate crises, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, while tackling structural forces of fragmentation.

Creating Jobs and Growth for a New Era:

    • Reimagining economic frameworks to foster growth and job creation, emphasising people-centric approaches in a potentially low-growth decade.

Artificial Intelligence as a Driving Force for the Economy and Society:

    • Leveraging AI for societal benefit while managing regulatory challenges and navigating technological advancements in 5G/6G and quantum computing.

A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature, and Energy:

    • Developing systemic approaches for a carbon-neutral and nature-positive world by 2050, balancing trade-offs for social consensus.

AI Governance Alliance

A noteworthy initiative introduced is the AI Governance Alliance, comprising major tech players like Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Meta Platforms. This alliance aims to shape AI development and usage responsibly, emphasising transparent and inclusive AI systems.

Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President at Microsoft, emphasised the importance of governing AI responsibly and collaboratively: "The AI Governance Alliance is an important forum to bring together perspectives from around the world, connecting industry, governments, and civil society to answer better how we can govern AI responsibly and do so at the pace of technological change."

First Movers Coalition

Integrated into the WEF's agenda, the First Movers Coalition represents a collective effort by leading companies to decarbonise heavy-emitting sectors and advance emerging climate technologies. With over 95 members, the coalition has made 120 commitments, reflecting a growing dedication to combating climate change.

Jesper Brodin, CEO at Ingka Group (IKEA), highlighted the coalition's shift towards action: "Now it's really about actions. It's about rolling up the sleeves, and it's about sharing dilemmas but also solutions with each other."

Save the Date!

From January 15 to 19, the world's attention will be on Davos as global leaders unite under the critical mission of "Rebuilding Trust." Beyond discussions, the focus is on tangible impact, transforming ideas into actions, and realising real-world solutions. The World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos aspires to catalyse positive global change.

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