World Economic Forum kicks off with eye on ‘responsible leadership

World Today

German Klaus Schwab, founder and president of the World Economic Forum, WEF, gestures during a press conference, in Cologny near Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)

The annual World Economic Forum will be held in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 17th as the global economic and political landscape faces uncertainties.

CGTN’s Xi Jia reports from Davos.

The foremost creative force for shaping global economics—The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting—is right on its way to accomplish its task of improving the world. The theme this year is “Responsive and Responsible Leadership.” And to fulfill that calling, around 3,000 leaders and experts from more than 100 countries will be participating.

There are five major challenges and issues for the forum to tackle: The changes brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the creation of a better global-governance system, the formation of an enhanced identity, market capitalism reform, and the restoration of global economic growth. The organizer of the forum is hoping to shape the world into a much healthier and hopeful one. And for the first time, a Chinese president will take part in the annual gathering of global leaders.

“I think the theme of this year’s meeting is very to the point, because everyone can see the recent chaos and disorder across the world. President Xi’s presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting and his visits to international organizations will send out a positive message that we should push forward the reform of global governance system and build together a community of common destiny for mankind,” said Ma Zhaoxu, China’s Permanent Representative to U.N. at Geneva.

With Brexit, the rise of the far right wing in Europe, and widespread trade protectionism, China is shouldering its responsibility by joining this unparalleled global effort in co-creation and collaboration.

The UK’s exit from the European Union has thrown the rest of the bloc into uncertainty. Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is holding a protectionist view in trade policy. The downward spiral of the global economy is fuelled by anti-establishment and populist sentiments in both Europe and the US. And China’s role in shaping global governance and driving economic progress is high on the agenda.

Now more than ever, global leaders need to share insight on how to best navigate the future, as divisions erode their confidence at a national, regional and global level.