The DEF is breaking records: 52 heads of government are participating in this year’s edition, as those responsible for WEF founder Klaus Schwab (84) announced at a virtual media conference Tuesday. This is more than ever.
Alongside the Federal President Alain Berset (50) and other members of the federal parliament, the heads of state in Davos include Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (37), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64), Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (55), Spanish Prime Minister. Minister Pedro Sánchez (50), Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (54) or Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (58).
If you add the ministers, the number rises to 379. Most of the government representatives come from Europe. Delegations from Asia are also particularly crowded this year, according to WEF organizers. You specifically mentioned the Chinese delegation.
Central bank governors address inflation
One of the most important issues in the DEF will be illegal inflation. The participation of 56 finance ministers and 19 central bank governors also supports this. Especially including the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde (67).
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (64) and UN Secretary General António Guterres (73) are also going to Davos. As it is known, US President Joe Biden (80) will not be in the DEF. However, first class guests from the USA are present at the resort, according to those in charge. Including FBI Director Christopher Wray (56).
It is also unlikely that France, England, Russia and China will send any heads of state or government to Graubünden.
In addition to inflation, economic developments and fears of a global recession are taking shape in this year’s WEF. The labor market (keyword: shortage of skilled workers) and equality are also brought into focus. Organizers also address environmental concerns.
The war in Ukraine is also on the agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) is not on the guest list. However, he had announced that he was preparing for a WEF appearance before Christmas. As with the last DEF in May, it will be possible for Selenski to connect virtually. Or that it only briefly appeared on the guest list. “For security reasons, I cannot reveal the names of the entire Ukrainian delegation,” Børge Brende (57), DEF President and former Norwegian Foreign Minister, said at the press conference.
It has already become clear that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko (51) has gone to Davos. It was featured in the last DEF edition.
Elon Musk finds WEF “boring”
WEF founder Schwab emphasized that the world is in crisis mode at a press conference. The conference in Davos should help change the way you view global crises. He is pleased that DEF is able to take place normally again in Davos after the corona pandemic instead of virtual. There was also a physical meeting last year, but this had to be postponed from winter to spring due to Corona.
It seems that another celebrity turned down Klaus Schwab’s invitation: Tesla CEO Elon Musk (51). He writes on Twitter that DEF is too “boring” for him.