GENEVA ( Associated Press) — The coronavirus pandemic The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting of world leaders, business executives and other stalwarts has been forced to go virtual for the second year in a row, but organizers still have this week with a short online edition to give the world a thought for the future. Hope to inspire. ,
Crowd, an online alternative to the event usually held in the Swiss ski town of Davos, features speeches from leaders from countries including China, India, Israel, Japan and Germany, as well as business, government and philanthropists such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert who will talk about COVID-19, and Bill Gates and John Kerry, who are expected to discuss climate change,
Organizers are still hopeful that their plans for a larger in-person gathering can go ahead this summer. Until then, here are five things to look for in next week’s online event:
china big looms
President Xi Jinping, who has not left China since the outbreak of the coronavirus in early 2020, will be seen as the top headliner of the event, just like last year.
He traditionally uses appearances at international gatherings such as Davos to appeal for cooperation to fight climate change and the coronavirus and sees Beijing as US attempts to halt the rise of China and dominate global governance.
In a speech on Monday, Xi could again tout changes that Beijing says are opening up the state-dominated economy and dismiss complaints that it wants to cut off international trade. His comments reflect the ruling Communist Party’s desire for global influence. To match China’s position as the second largest economy.
Keep an eye out for any mention of self-governing Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory and threatens to attack, and claims parts of the South and East China Sea or the Himalayas, which have created tensions with its neighbors. has done.
Modi’s mood
India is one of those neighbors with strained ties with China, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also takes the virtual floor on Monday.
During the 8-year tenure of Modi, the star of the Hindu nationalist BJP party, India has seen an uptick in attacks against Muslim minorities. Two months after the Modi government made a rare comeback on the agriculture reform bill, India’s political parties are gearing up for state elections Which was strongly opposed by the farmers.
The campaign has drawn crowds of thousandsEven as elsewhere, the Omicron version has shown a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Hope for a post-covid world
It is impossible for the Davos crowd to ignore the health crisis that has plagued their plans for the past two years.
The pandemic gets a top billing on Monday, with Fauci and the CEO of vaccine maker Moderna joining a panel discussion that addresses what lies ahead for COVID-19, which has taken several big turns Because the Omicron version sweeps the world.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday A panel on the subject is sure to fuel his oft-repeated call for greater vaccine equity. Many developing countries lag far behind their richer counterparts in access to vaccines. WHO says more vaccine equity May help prevent the emergence of anxiolytics, highly permeable forms such as Omicron.
take on tap
Climate change and energy – with a regional look at Latin America – get top billing on Wednesday, with a speech by the Saudi energy minister and a look at how the world transitions from reliance on fossil fuels. US President Joe Biden-led special envoy for climate Kerry joins Davos veteran Gates – Recent author of “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” – On a panel on climate innovation.
Technology, Business and Economy
True to its name, the economic platform is never far from the world of business activity. The week ends with a discussion on issues such as Capitalism for a Sustainable Future, trade in times of tense global supply chain, and how government actions are needed to produce a sustainable and equitable recovery after the pandemic.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen gets the final word on Friday with a talk on a virtual forum where she has the opportunity to promote President Joe Biden’s plans globally to prevent new environmental catastrophes. Amid the pandemic and rapidly rising inflation, the former Federal Reserve chair may even touch on fiscal reform efforts, the administration’s $1 trillion infrastructure legislation and their support for the global corporate minimum tax More than 130 countries agreed.
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Associated Press Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing and Fatima Hussain in Washington contributed.
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