DAVOS, Switzerland — The Alpine resort town of Davos transforms into a global power center this week as nearly 3,000 political leaders, corporate executives, and advocacy figures gather for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. This year’s assembly unfolds against a backdrop of profound geopolitical shifts, widening economic disparities, and growing skepticism about institutional leadership.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives with the largest American delegation in forum history, accompanied by multiple cabinet secretaries. His presence dominates preliminary discussions, particularly regarding his administration’s unconventional approaches to international relations—including ambitions regarding Greenland’s status, Venezuela’s oil resources, and confrontational tactics with Federal Reserve leadership.
The forum’s programming director, Mirek Dušek, characterizes this moment as a critical geopolitical transition: “We’re seeing a more competitive, more contested landscape where traditional alliances are being reexamined.”
Notably absent is forum founder Klaus Schwab, who recently stepped down after 55 years. New leadership from BlackRock’s Larry Fink and Roche’s Andre Hoffman oversees an agenda focused on artificial intelligence’s transformative impact, geo-economic conflicts, and eroding trust in institutions.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes his inaugural appearance among 850 corporate leaders, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng represent key counterweights to American influence on the opening day.
Two landmark reports underscore the meeting’s context: Oxfam reveals billionaire wealth surged by $2.5 trillion in 2023—enough to eradicate extreme poverty 26 times over—while Edelman’s Trust Barometer documents record highs in trade war fears and institutional distrust across 28 nations.
As storefronts along the Davos Promenade transform into corporate pavilions for Microsoft, TikTok, and national delegations, protesters gathered under banners reading “No Profit from War” and “World Economic Failure.” Swiss Young Socialists president Mirjam Hostettmann condemned the gathering: “The WEF will never bring peace, but will only fuel escalation.”