World economic Forum Davos 2019

 Why in news?

• The world’s most rich and powerful business and political leaders will descend on Davos, Switzerland, as the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum begins.
• The annual summit in the Swiss Alps takes place over four days. Celebrities, academics and members of the media are often invited to promote causes they support.
• President Donald Trumpwas the main attraction in 2018 but will not be attending this year.
• Out of consideration for the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay and to ensure his team can assist as needed, President Trump has canceled his delegation’s trip to the World Economic Forum.

Who’s going?

• This year’s summit may be more notable for who isn’t attending rather than who is. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May have also pulled of the forum due to domestic crises.
• May is locked in Brexit negotiations while Macron is busy steadying the ship as the Gilets Jaunes protests enter their tenth weekend.
• A number of famous faces, however, will be present. Prince William is expected to talk about mental health.
• The prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, will address a “range of topics” and Sir David Attenborough will discuss biodiversity. They will be joined by Winnie Byanyima, head of Oxfam International, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
• Around 60 percent of Davos attendees will be representatives of the World Economic Forum’s major donors – known as “industry affiliates” – according to Professor Adrienne Sörbom, author of “Discreet Power: How the World Economic Forum Shapes Market Agendas.
• The forum has been criticized for being out of touch, according to IHS Markit economist and 10-time attendee Nariman Behravesh.

WEF

• The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is the only yearly gathering that brings together leaders of global society.
• The heads and members of more than 100 governments, top executives of the 1,000 foremost global companies, leaders of international organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations, the most prominent cultural, societal and thought leaders, and the disruptive voices of the Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Technology Pioneers come together at the beginning of each year to define priorities and shape global, industry and regional agendas.
• Participation is by invitation only and reserved for members of the Forum’s communities. The ongoing close collaboration with those communities in cooperation with a Network of Global Future Councils ensures the solution-oriented substance of the Annual Meeting. Numerous initiatives of global importance have been launched in Davos.
• The World Economic Forum is an independent and impartial International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. Its objective is to improve the state of the world. It does not promote any political, commercial or personal interests, nor does it use the names of its participants for promotional purposes.
• The Annual Meeting aims to be open and inclusive. Transparency and public inclusion are achieved through broad international media participation, televised sessions and webcasts, and through the Forum’s millions of followers social media. The Annual Meeting achieves the greatest media impact compared to any annual event outside the world of sport.

(International, Summit)(Business standard,WEF)

 Pic courtesy-Events | World Economic Forum