Everything You Should Know About... The WEF's Davos Summit

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The World Economic Forum's annual summit takes place on January 20, 2025 in Davos, Switzerland | Credit: World Economic Forum
The WEF's annual summit begins on 20 January, 2025 in Davos. In this explainer we look at the significance, key players and historical context of the event

Each January, as snow covers the Swiss Alps, the small resort town of Davos transforms into a hub of global decision making.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) convenes its annual meeting there, drawing heads of state, business magnates, academics, activists and media leaders from across the world to discuss the most pressing issues of our time, with a special focus on sustainability.

What began as a modest gathering in 1971 has evolved into one of the most influential summits in global politics, shaping policies and partnerships across the world.

Davos, Switzerland, the scenic setting for the World Economic Forum's annual summit | Credit: World Economic Forum

Ahead of the next summit, set to commence on 20 January, 2025, Sustainability Magazine breaks down everything you need to know about Davos, the World Economic Forum and the significance it holds in the sustainability calendar.

The origins of Davos and the role of the WEF

The WEF was founded on 24 January, 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a German economist with a mission to promote global collaboration.

Initially, the WEF was conceived as a management conference for European businesses, but its scope quickly expanded, attracting participants from across the globe to discuss topics as diverse as geopolitics, technology and climate change.

Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum | Credit: World Economic Forum

Davos’ remote location may seem an unlikely setting for such high-stakes discussions, but its mountainous milieu speaks to the forum’s commitment to avoiding the distractions of cities.

Davos: A platform for sustainability and innovation

In recent years, sustainability has dominated the Davos agenda, reflecting growing concerns over climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality.

Terms like green energy transition, circular economy, and net zero emissions are commonplace in the summit’s discussions and its focus aligns closely with directives given by the UN, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

On that note, many of the initiatives launched at Davos have helped to catalyse global efforts in the pursuit of sustainability, from the Paris Agreement to advancements in renewable energy and ESG investment frameworks.

The annual gathering also serves as a showcase for cutting edge technologies.

Innovations in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture are prominent at Davos, with many technologies often making their debut at the forum.

With this being said, Davos acts as the bridge between science and policy.

Why the 2025 summit matters

The 2025 WEF summit at Davos, set to begin on 20 January, promises to be a defining moment in the summit’s storied history.

This year’s meeting will address the intersecting crises of our time with unprecedented urgency.

A perfect storm of challenges — rising global temperatures, economic instability and geopolitical tensions — demands bold action and collaboration.

At the heart of this year’s agenda is its theme, Resilience and Renewal: Pathways to a Sustainable Future.

The spotlight will be on decarbonisation efforts, water security and the equitable distribution of resources.

Another distinguishing feature of the 2025 summit is its expanded emphasis on youth and grassroots voices.

This is certainly new: In the past, Davos has been criticised for its failure to listen to voices from outside the highest echelons.

The WEF has announced new initiatives to amplify perspectives from indigenous communities, social entrepreneurs and climate activists under the age of 30.

This reflects a growing recognition that the solutions to global challenges must be inclusive and bottom-up.

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The criticisms of Davos

Despite its influence, the WEF is not without controversy.

Critics often point to the summit’s exclusivity, with its guest list dominated by the world’s wealthiest individuals and most powerful institutions.

Scholar Jan Aart Scholte, Professor of Global Transformations and Governance Challenges at Leiden University, is one of those critics.

“It is an exclusive invitation-only club and meaningful participation is mainly limited to the world’s more powerful governments, corporations and civil society actors," he says.

"Moreover, when excluded people disagree with or feel harmed by WEF activities, they generally lack adequate channels to be heard and pursue redress.”

Jan Aart Scholte, Professor of Global Transformations and Governance Challenges at Leiden University | Credit: Leiden University

Concerns about greenwashing have also been levelled at some corporate participants, especially those from the fossil fuels sector.

However, defenders argue that the WEF’s strength lies in its ability to bring together diverse stakeholders under one roof.

It provides a unique forum for dialogue, enabling partnerships and policies for the sustainable transition that might otherwise be impossible.

Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola is an optimistic participant.

"The opportunities presented by the transition are enormous," he says, "but it is vital that both business and policy makers focus now on ensuring that people have the right skills and training."

"Without skilled workers, the transition will not be achieved and the benefits will be non-existent."

Iberdrola Chairman, Ignacio Galán | Credit: Iberdrola

What lies ahead for the Davos and sustainability conferences more generally?

As the 2025 conference approaches, the world’s eyes turn to Davos with anticipation.

Will this year’s summit yield tangible commitments to reduce emissions and bolster global resilience? Can it bridge the divides between nations and sectors to create a shared vision for the future?

"The question is no longer if we can achieve a clean energy future but how we address the financial, structural and regional barriers to do so," says Christian Bruch, President and CEO of Siemens Energy.

"The success of the global energy transition hinges on our ability to bridge financing gaps and tailor solutions to diverse regional realities. The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities."

Christian Bruch, President and CEO of Siemens Energy | Credit: Siemens

Amid all the uncertainty and doubt, one thing remains clear: Davos is still a barometer of global priorities.

What's more, its significance as a platform for collective action and innovation has never been greater.

Whether you view it as a crucible for change or a symbol of elitism, the annual meeting in Davos always seems to shape the course of global politics, one discussion at a time.


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