Forum Stories (2025.1.21)

Forum Stories

It is day two of the Annual Meeting 2025.

Today’s sessions cover a broad set of topics such as global cooperation and growth, the energy transition, the impact of emerging technologies on industries and society, and gender parity in healthcare and the workplace.

Want to learn more? Included below is further analysis about the economic outlook, how to address the health gender gap and how leading industrial sites are pioneering innovation in technology, workforce and sustainability.

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Don’t miss today

Ursula von der Leyen
A special address from the President of the European Commission.

10.50 CET Session details

Ding Xuexiang
Vice-Premier of the People’s Republic of China delivers remarks in Davos.

11.20 CET Session details

Olaf Scholz
The Federal Chancellor of Germany provides his outlook on global affairs.

14.00 CET Session details

Cyril Ramaphosa
The President of South Africa offers insights on world issues.

15.45 CET Session details

Explore today’s sessions

Spotlight: Challenges facing the global economy in 2025

The January 2025 economist outlook signals subdued global growth and regional disparities. Easing inflation contrasts with long-term shifts driven by US policy, impacting trade, migration and fiscal policies. Intensifying fragmentation fuelled by geopolitical rivalries highlights the importance of adaptability for economic competitiveness to alleviate rising costs and pressures on global interconnectedness.

Livestreamed sessions for you to join on the topic:

Future of Growth – Tuesday, 21 January at 09.30
Africa’s Economy: Young and Fast – Tuesday, 21 January at 17.30
Leaving Asia’s Comfort Zone – Tuesday, 21 January at 17.30
State of Play: Conflict in the Middle East – Wednesday, 22 January at 09.00
The Global Economic Outlook – Friday, 24 January at 11.00

Read more:

Europe needs to adapt or it will get left behind by Børge Brende, Arancha González and Mark Leonard in Politico
The Road to Global Cooperation Runs Through Regions by Mirek Dušek in Yicai Global
How to get the right kind of growth by Saadia Zahidi in Foreign Affairs

Media spotlight on this conversation:

World Economic Forum’s outlook for 2025 in CNBC Africa
Global economy to weaken over next year, Europe braces for slowdown: WEF report in India Today
World is set for significant challenges in 2025, in The New Straits Times

Read the report

Women’s health in focus

Closing the women’s health gap could unlock $1 trillion in annual global GDP by 2040. A new report highlights nine key conditions driving a third of the gap, including heart disease, breast cancer and menopause. Addressing these issues through data collection, research, care improvements and investment could improve 27 million healthy life years annually, while boosting economic growth worldwide.

Livestreamed sessions for you to join on the topic:

Investing in Women’s Health – Tuesday, 21 January at 13.00
Cracking the Code of Digital Health – Wednesday, 22 January at 16.15
When Climate Redefines Health – Thursday, 23 January at 15.00

Read more:

Why achieving sustainable health systems means moving past political cycles to reach long-term commitments by AstraZeneca
A new era for women’s health: Uniting global leaders to improve lives and economies in 2025 and beyond by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with the Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health
Here’s a blueprint for closing the women’s health gap by McKinsey & Company in collaboration with the World Economic Forum

Go deeper on investing in people

Manufacturers are scaling digital tech for exceptional productivity and impact

The Global Lighthouse Network celebrates six years of transforming production with 189 Lighthouses across 33 countries. These leaders leverage AI, sustainability and workforce innovations to cut emissions by up to 50% and boost productivity. Sharing a proven playbook, Lighthouses deliver enterprise-wide impact, inspiring global industrial transformation at scale.

Livestreamed sessions for you to join on the topic:

Industries in the Intelligent Age – Tuesday, 21 January at 08.15
Industrial Decarbonization as a Growth Strategy – Tuesday, 21 January at 16.15
Keeping up with Smart Factories – Wednesday, 22 January at 10.15

Read more:

Driving Productivity and Sustainability with AI by Siemens
Building the Manufacturing Workforce of the Future by Tulip Interfaces

Go deeper on industries in the intelligent age

Forum Stories (2025.1.21)

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