The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting is being organised in Davos from 22 to 26 May 2022. This year, the focus of the meeting is on areas like the ongoing conflict, climate change, inflation and energy insecurity. The central theme of this year’s meeting is, “History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies.” It is the first global in-person leadership event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) founded on the 24th of January 1971, is an international organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a non-governmental organisation and was founded by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab. The World Economic Forum views its mission as “improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.” The World Economic Forum holds annual meetings at the end of January in Davos, a mountain resort in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland.
The World Economic Forum stated ahead of the meeting that the meeting is to happen “at the most consequential geopolitical and geo-economic moment of the past three decades and against the backdrop of a once-in-a-century pandemic” and that the meeting will provide “a unique environment in which to reconnect, exchange insights, gain fresh perspectives and advance solutions.”
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday, 24th of May announced a new initiative that will enhance the flow of digital foreign direct investments globally. The agreement will see that the DCO and WEF are working together to trace methods which will help in increasing digital adoption, investment in new digital activities and investment in digital infrastructure.
With around 70 per cent of future economic growth set to be digitalised, according to the WEF, DCO member states provide a valuable market opportunity to investors and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Børge Brende, the President of WEF said “Global FDI is rebounding, following the COVID-19 pandemic, and investment in the digital economy could not come at a better time. These country projects will help grow FDI into the digital economy, which is key for long-term growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development.”
As a part of the Annual Meeting, 15 social Innovators from across the world were appreciated for their constant efforts in transforming the world. Ashraf Patel from India, who is a Co-Founder of Pravah and ComMutiny- The Youth Collective was recognised by the World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation as the Social Innovator of the Year 2022. She has been working in the area of youth development for over three decades now, as the Co-Founder of Pravah and ComMutiny – The Youth Collective.
Civil society is also being represented at the World Economic Forum by more than 200 leaders from NGOs, social entrepreneurs, academia, labour organisations, faith-based and religious groups and over 400 media persons.
