The Alpine town of Davos is once again at the centre of global attention as nearly 3,000 high-level participants from the worlds of business, government, and civil society descend for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting. They are joined by untold numbers of activists, journalists, and observers for what remains one of the most significant gatherings of the global elite.
The Davos Stage: A History of Influence
Founded as a think tank in Geneva, the WEF's flagship annual meeting was first held in 1971 in the Swiss ski resort. The event, initiated by founder Klaus Schwab, began as a modest assembly of business executives. Over five decades, it has expanded dramatically in both scale and scope. Today, Davos serves as a sprawling forum addressing a vast array of issues, from economic disparity and climate change to technological innovation and international conflict.
The 2026 edition, set against the snowy backdrop of the town situated at 1,500 metres, will feature more than 200 sessions. These discussions aim to tackle the world's most pressing challenges under the overarching theme of “A Spirit of Dialogue.” This dialogue is structured around five core pillars: cooperation, growth, investment in people, innovation, and building prosperity.
A Who's Who of Global Power
This year's attendee list underscores the event's continued pull. Organisers report a record contingent of political leadership, including more than 60 heads of state and government. The spotlight is firmly on U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to deliver a keynote address. His presence, along with key aides like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is set to dominate the agenda.
The roll call of global figures is extensive. It includes French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will also be present.
The business and tech world is equally well-represented. Alongside nearly 850 company chairs and CEOs, tech titans such as Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis, and Mistral AI's Arthur Mensch will be in attendance. The gathering also draws scores of officials from international institutions, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Navigating a Complex Global Landscape
The 2026 forum convenes at a time of profound geopolitical and technological flux. President Trump's pronouncements on issues ranging from Venezuela and Greenland to Iran, coupled with his aggressive tariff policies, have significantly disrupted the established world order, raising fundamental questions about America's global role.
Concurrently, the rapid advent of artificial intelligence presents both immense promise and peril. The Davos corridors will host a three-pronged debate: business leaders will explore AI's potential to boost efficiency and profits; labour advocates will sound alarms over job displacement; and policymakers will grapple with the delicate balance between necessary regulation and the right to innovate.
Despite its lofty aims, the WEF faces persistent criticism. Detractors argue the event produces more talk than tangible action, failing to adequately address the world's gaping inequalities or deliver concrete solutions to crises like climate change. As the global elite debates in the Swiss Alps, the world will be watching to see if the 'Spirit of Dialogue' translates into meaningful progress.
