The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is here — taking place from 20 to 26 January 2025 in the Alpine town of Davos, Switzerland. The event promises to deliver much-needed dialogue and collaboration on some of the world’s most pressing issues.
As industries, societies, and technologies converge at an unprecedented pace, global leaders at Davos 2025 face some of the most pressing questions of our time: How can we build a more interconnected, smarter future? Can innovation be harnessed to tackle existential challenges like climate change and technological misuse? And will collective action foster equality and sustainability, or deepen existing divides? These questions lie at the heart of the 55th WEF meeting, where collaboration and leadership take centre stage.
Under the title, ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’, this year’s forum will be accessible to the wider public with livestreamed sessions, and organised around the following five key themes, the meeting seeks to provide a roadmap for addressing today’s complex global challenges.
- Reimagining Growth
With economies worldwide struggling to adapt to shifting global dynamics, reimagining growth is crucial. How can leaders identify new sources of prosperity in a rapidly evolving economic landscape? This pillar challenges policymakers and businesses to think beyond traditional metrics, focusing on resilience, inclusivity, and innovation as cornerstones of future growth.
- Industries in the Intelligent Age
As technology transforms industries, leaders must navigate the delicate balance between short-term profitability and long-term sustainability. With artificial intelligence, automation, and digital advancements reshaping business strategies, the focus is on equipping industries to thrive amidst geo-economic shifts while remaining competitive and purpose-driven.
- Investing in People
The intersection of geoeconomic change, green transitions, and technological innovation is reshaping employment, education, and healthcare. Leaders must work together to invest in human capital, equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a modern, equitable society. This theme underscores the importance of creating good jobs and ensuring social safety nets in a time of rapid change.
- Safeguarding the Planet
Progress on climate and nature goals hinges on innovative partnerships and investments in clean technologies. How can leaders accelerate action on the energy transition while ensuring equity and security? By catalysing climate action through financing, technology deployment, and policy collaboration, this theme seeks to address the urgent need for sustainability.
- Rebuilding Trust
As societal divides deepen and geopolitical tensions rise, trust between nations, businesses, and citizens is eroding. This pillar focuses on fostering collaboration across borders and within societies to counter the challenges of protectionism, misinformation, and polarisation. Building trust is essential for ensuring progress is inclusive and equitable.
Spotlight on innovation
Davos 2025 also shines a light on global innovation. Over 200 tech pioneers, including AI startups and sustainability-driven unicorns, will showcase groundbreaking solutions at this year’s event. These innovators will present their ideas to a distinguished audience of policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, potentially shaping the next wave of transformative technologies.
Who’s attending Davos 2025?
The annual meeting in Davos brings together leaders from politics, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society to tackle pressing global challenges. A diverse mix of global leaders will participate, including:
- UK: Rachel Reeves (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) is preparing to lead a delegation of ministers and advisers at this year’s forum, with the goal to attract international investors and address concerns from UK businesses.
- United States: Donald J. Trump (President-elect, via live video link)
- European Union: Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission President), Roberta Metsola (European Parliament President)
- China: Ding Xuexiang (Vice-Premier)
- Germany: Olaf Scholz (Federal Chancellor)
- Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President)
- France: Emmanuel Macron (President)
- Argentina: Javier Milei (President)
- South Africa: Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (President)
- Switzerland: Karin Keller-Sutter (President of the Swiss Confederation)
- Other nations: Leaders from Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, and more.
Rachel Reeves, who previously attended Davos as shadow chancellor for the past two years, is set to meet with sovereign wealth funds and US private equity firms to secure funding for large-scale infrastructure and green energy projects. She also plans to engage with British business leaders at the event, amid ongoing frustration over last year’s increase in employer national insurance contributions.
“I’m going to be in Davos to tell some of the world’s biggest companies and investors that UK plc is burning bright,” she said. “I am on a mission to win round the world’s investors. That’s why I’ve already made progress on planning reform to get Britain building. And my plans for pension megafunds will unlock billions of pounds of investment for infrastructure projects and businesses of the future.”
Reeves will be joined by Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary; Baroness Gustafsson, the former chief executive of Darktrace who became minister for investment in October; and Varun Chandra, the Prime Minister’s special adviser on business and investment.
It is understood that Reeves intends to build on last year’s efforts, where she met American technology founders at a gathering hosted by Andreessen Horowitz and spoke with European investors at a breakfast organised by JP Morgan. Other notable figures expected at the summit include former prime minister Baroness May of Maidenhead and George Osborne, the ex-chancellor and now partner at Robey Warshaw.
Princess Beatrice is also set to attend, reportedly participating in a panel discussion on how family offices and sovereign wealth funds can deploy private capital to address climate change. She has been a regular attendee at Davos in recent years.
Heads of international organisations attending
Prominent figures from major global organisations include:
- António Guterres (UN Secretary-General)
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO Director-General)
- Kristalina Georgieva (IMF Managing Director)
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO Director-General)
- Achim Steiner (UNDP Administrator)
Private sector and industry leaders
- Business leaders: Over 1,600 participants, including 900+ CEOs and Chairs from the world’s top companies.
- Global innovators: More than 120 innovators, tech pioneers, and unicorn startups transforming industries.
Civil society and academia
- Social leaders: 170+ representatives from NGOs, labour unions, religious groups, and indigenous communities.
- Thought leaders: Influential figures from leading universities, research institutions, and think tanks.
- Forum Communities: Members from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, the Forum of Young Global Leaders, and the Global Shapers Community showcasing solutions to global challenges.
Key speakers include Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Børge Brende, Marcus Wallenberg, David M. Rubenstein, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak.
On the opening day, David Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for two decades, was honoured with the Crystal Award in recognition for his commitment to improving the living conditions of children worldwide.
The Crystal Award, presented annually by the World Economic Forum, celebrates individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to society. Its two other recipients were:
- Riken Yamamoto: A renowned Japanese architect celebrated for his sustainable design philosophy and impactful architectural works.
- Diane von Fürstenberg: The Belgian-American fashion designer, best known for creating the iconic wrap dress, was honored for her dedication to women’s rights and gender equality.
Davos 2025 continues to be a melting pot of ideas and collaboration, highlighting the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships in addressing the world’s most pressing issues.
Follow along on the WEF’s social platforms to stay up-to-date on key moments, announcements, launches, and sessions. The official Annual Meeting 2025 hashtag is #wef25.
