Empty streets in Davos as World Economic Forum holds virtual meeting

The streets of Davos are normally crowded at this time of the year as influential leaders from around the world gather here for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting.

But this year will be different; instead of gathering at the Swiss ski resort, the world’s great and good will do so virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the global economy deep in crisis, there is no shortage of topics: soaring unemployment and debt levels, growing income inequality and climate change.

“We have practically assembled the same high level – and also amount – of global decision-makers for politics, business, society as we usually do in Davos.” said WEF chief Klaus Schwab in an interview with Reuters.

“What makes Davos different is that you do not just have some heads of state or some top business leaders, you have practically everyone who counts coming together,” he added.

The Davos Agenda will feature participation from heads of state and government, chief executive officers, civil society leaders, global media and youth leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.

The WEF is pinning hopes on normality returning and plans a face-to-face meeting in Singapore in May.

The World Economic Forum 2021 kicks off on Monday, January 25 and ends on Friday, January 29.