World conflicts to top agenda at 2015 World Economic Forum

Global Business

Risks posed by global conflicts will be at the top of the agenda when politicians, philanthropists and industry leaders meet in Davos, Switzerland over the coming week for the World Economic Forum. CCTV’s Jack Barton reported this story from Davos.

World conflicts to top agenda at 2015 World Economic Forum

Risks posed by global conflicts will be at the top of the agenda when politicians, philanthropists and industry leaders meet in Davos, Switzerland over the coming week for the World Economic Forum. CCTV's Jack Barton reported this story from Davos.

The annual weeklong gathering of 40 world leaders and 2,500 delegates from industry, finance, academia, investment and humanitarian organizations will take place from Jan 21-24.

China’s premier Li Keqiang will attend the forum and deliver a speech on China’s economy and key reforms.

At last year’s convention, the gap between the rich and poor was considered the biggest international risk factor. With the conflict in Ukraine and the rise of the Islamic State, the forum will likely consider geopolitical issues as the biggest threat to global stability over the coming decade.

Water scarcity was ranked as the second highest risk.

French president Francoise Hollande was to deliver a key speech on climate change, but he will now speak on terrorism in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Other issues to be discussed include unemployment, cyber security, and the spread of infectious diseases.