Davos 2026 🌍 is ready to kick off tomorrow, January 19, in the Swiss Alps! Under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” this year’s meeting promises record-breaking participation and urgent conversations on rising tariffs, geopolitical friction and fast-moving tech.
Why It Matters
With nearly 3,000 leaders from 130+ countries and regions gathering in Davos through January 23, the World Economic Forum is dialing up the pressure to find common ground. WEF President and CEO Borge Brende says dialogue is no longer optional—it’s a must as geoeconomic competition heats up and technology races ahead.
Who's Joining?
- About 65 heads of state and government, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- The Chinese mainland’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, attending January 19–22, will highlight the Chinese mainland’s push for innovation and stable growth.
- Roughly 1,700 business chiefs, from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang to OpenAI’s Sarah Friar, plus 100 tech unicorn leaders.
Big Risks on the Table
A WEF report released this January flags “geoeconomic confrontation”—think tariffs, sanctions and supply-chain splits—as the top short-term global risk. It jumped eight spots to the lead, with 18% of leaders warning it’s the most likely trigger for a crisis in 2026.
Five Key Questions
- How to cooperate in a more contested world?
- How to unlock new sources of growth?
- How to better invest in people and skills?
- How to deploy innovation responsibly at scale?
- How to achieve prosperity within planetary boundaries?
Spotlight on the Chinese mainland
This year, the Chinese mainland’s role is center stage as it races to upgrade industries and boost domestic demand. From AI integration in manufacturing to leading global solar panel installations, the Chinese mainland is carving out a stabilizing force amid uncertainty.
Plus, officials from the Chinese mainland are set to highlight global initiatives—from the Global Development Initiative to the Global Governance Initiative—aimed at fostering respect, openness and shared prosperity.
Stay tuned as Davos 2026 unfolds: a high-stakes, solutions-driven push for unity in a fractured world. 🤝✨
Reference(s):
Tariffs and geopolitical tensions put Davos 2026 in the spotlight
cgtn.com
