New Delhi (Khabarr.com) – As the 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting gears up in Davos(Switzerland) under the theme ‘Rebuilding Trust,’ few Indian delegations are set to engage in crucial discussions. Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Hardeep Singh Puri will represent India, bringing forth perspectives on economic growth, climate action, and geopolitical challenges.
The prestigious WEF Davos meeting, slated from January 15 to 19, will witness India’s active participation with an extensive delegation. The Indian contingent, including three Union ministers, three chief ministers, and over a hundred CEOs, will contribute to global dialogues addressing pressing issues ranging from climate change to geopolitical tensions. This year more than 300 public figures including more than 60 heads of state and government will be participating in this global conference.
The delegation comprises Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasizing India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation. Additionally, Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde (Maharashtra), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), and Siddaramaiah (Karnataka) will lead discussions on state-level perspectives, showcasing the country’s diverse economic landscape.
WEF President Borge Brende highlighted the challenging geopolitical and geo-economic scenario in which the meeting will take place. The theme ‘Rebuilding Trust’ reflects the urgency to address global uncertainties and societal divides. Over 60 heads of state and government, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will join the summit.
The meeting’s agenda encompasses crucial global imperatives such as economic growth, climate action, energy security, technology governance, and human development. The WEF aims to drive dialogue, cooperation, and partnerships to navigate the fractured world and societal divides.
Four Pillars of Discussion
- Achieving Security and Cooperation in a Fractured World: The WEF sessions will delve into dealing with security crises, such as those in the Middle East, while addressing structural forces of fragmentation. Cooperation and identifying win-win scenarios will be key focus areas.
- Creating Growth and Jobs for a New Era: The forum aims to bring together government, business, and civil society to shape a new economic framework. The focus is on avoiding a decade of low growth and placing people at the center of a more prosperous trajectory.
- Artificial Intelligence as a Driving Force for the Economy and Society: With AI as a pivotal discussion point, the forum will explore how AI can benefit all and navigate the regulatory landscape. The interface between AI and other transformative technologies, including 5/6G, quantum computing, and biotechnology, will be examined.
- A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature, and Energy: Addressing the pressing need for a systemic approach to achieve a carbon-neutral and nature-positive world by 2050, discussions will focus on balancing trade-offs and achieving social consensus.
Misinformation and societal polarization emerge as key topics of discussion, especially with many countries, including India and the US, heading to elections. The ‘Global Risks Report’ released by WEF identifies ‘misinformation and disinformation’ as the most immediate risk, followed by infectious diseases, illicit economic activity, income inequality, and labor shortage.
India’s Stance on Global Issues:
The Indian delegation will contribute insights into addressing misinformation and disinformation challenges, showcasing the country’s commitment to collaborative problem-solving. With a strong representation from political, business, and cultural leaders, India aims to play a pivotal role in shaping global strategies for a more promising future. India’s leaders also aim to contribute insights and strategies to address challenges such as climate change, economic growth, and technological advancements.
Who will be participating in WEF Davos 2024?
Belgium – Alexander De Croo (Prime Minister of Belgium)
China – Li Qiang (Premier of the People’s Republic of China)
Colombia – Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (President of Colombia)
France – Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
Greece – Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister of Greece)
Iraq – Mohammed Shyaa Al Sudani (Prime Minister of Iraq)
Ireland – Leo Varadkar (Taoiseach of Ireland)
Israel – Isaac Herzog (President of the State of Israel)
Jordan – Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh (Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)
Kenya – William Samoei Ruto (President of Kenya)
Lebanon – Najib Mikati (President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon)
Mongolia – Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai (Prime Minister of Mongolia)
Netherlands – Mark Rutte (Prime Minister of the Netherlands)
Nigeria – Bola Ahmed Tinubu (President of Nigeria)
People’s Republic of China – Li Qiang (Premier of the People’s Republic of China)
Poland – Andrzej Duda (President of Poland)
Qatar – Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar)
Republic of Korea – Han Duck-soo (Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea)
Serbia – Aleksandar Vučić (President of Serbia)
Singapore – Tharman Shanmugaratnam (President of Singapore)
Spain – Pedro Sánchez (Prime Minister of Spain)
Sri Lanka – Ranil Wickremesinghe (President of Sri Lanka)
State of Qatar – Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar)
Swiss Confederation 2024 – Viola Amherd (President of the Swiss Confederation 2024 and Federal Councillor of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports)
Thailand – Srettha Thavisin (Prime Minister of Thailand)
Republic of Argentina – Javier Milei (President of Argentina)
Republic of Kenya – William Samoei Ruto (President of Kenya)
Republic of Iraq – Mohammed Shyaa Al Sudani (Prime Minister of Iraq)
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh (Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)
Republic of Colombia – Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (President of Colombia)
Republic of Poland – Andrzej Duda (President of Poland)
Republic of Serbia – Aleksandar Vučić (President of Serbia)
Republic of Singapore – Tharman Shanmugaratnam (President of Singapore)
Republic of Korea – Han Duck-soo (Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea)
Republic of Kenya – William Samoei Ruto (President of Kenya)
State of Israel – Isaac Herzog (President of the State of Israel)
Republic of Viet Nam – Pham Minh Chinh (Prime Minister of Viet Nam)
Republic of Lebanon – Najib Mikati (President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon)
Republic of Mongolia – Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai (Prime Minister of Mongolia)
Kingdom of Belgium – Alexander De Croo (Prime Minister of Belgium)
Kingdom of Thailand – Srettha Thavisin (Prime Minister of Thailand)
Kingdom of Spain – Pedro Sánchez (Prime Minister of Spain)
Kingdom of the Netherlands – Mark Rutte (Prime Minister of the Netherlands)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar)
As the world looks toward Davos for solutions to multifaceted challenges, the Indian delegation stands poised to make significant contributions, reinforcing the nation’s role on the global stage.