World elites meet in Davos to discuss Ukraine, the climate and the future of the Amazon

The world’s political and economic elites will meet next week in Davos under the motto “cooperating in a fragmented world”, in an edition where, among other things, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the climate crisis and the future of the Amazon will be addressed.

This year’s meeting, organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) between January 16 and 20 in the exclusive ski resort of the Swiss Alps, “it takes place in the most complex geopolitical and geoeconomic context of the last decades”, the president of the WEF, the Norwegian Borge Brende, told the press.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the trade conflicts between China and the United States and the war in Ukraine have contributed in recent years to multiplying geopolitical fissures and fueling more protectionist policies, according to WEF officials.

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“One of the main causes of this fragmentation is the lack of cooperation”which is reflected in “short-term and selfish policies”, lamented the founder of the WEF, Klaus Schwab, denouncing “a vicious circle”.

Even globalization, the concept that the forum of Davos has been arguing for decades, appears to be in question, Karen Harris, a partner and economist at consultancy Bain & Company, told AFP.

Behind the “hope to return to the old normality, which was this kind of globalized world”this era “it is coming to its end”, the analyst points out.

Nearly a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the conflict and its effects on global energy and defense policies will occupy much of the Davos debates.

Although the Russians are absent for the second year in a row, a large Ukrainian delegation is expected to be present in Switzerland.

Hundreds of political and economic personalities join her, such as the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the UN Secretary General Anthony Guterres or the director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, as well as some 600 business leaders and numerous media, NGOs and academics.

The Amazon “at the crossroads”

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The Latin American presence, increasingly important in this forum that has been held since 1971, will be headed by the presidents of Colombia, Gustavo Petroequator, William Lassoand Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chavez.

Brazilwhere the return to power of the leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gave new hope of stopping deforestation in the Amazon, will be represented by three ministers, including Marina Silva, in charge of the Environment portfolio.

The forum will dedicate several sessions to Latin America and the “crossroads” where the Amazon is located, where young activists like Helena Gualinga, known as the “Greta Thunberg of Ecuador” and who will also be in Davos this year, fight against deforestation and defend their communities.

Davos attracts every year NGOs and activists who take advantage of the meeting to remind rich countries and energy companies of the need to finance the energy transition of developing countries and to pay for damages from natural catastrophes as a result of climate change.

The Swiss Socialist Youth (JSS) called a demonstration on Sunday in favor of “a climate tax on the rich and debt relief” for southern countries. However, demonstrations are usually very limited in Davos during the forum, protected by draconian security measures with the presence of the Swiss army.

The World Economic Forum it is also a place of discreet meetings between business leaders, investors and politicians.

“In four days, in a private suite, they can do more business than in months flying around the world.” states the American journalist Peter S. Goodman, author of the book “The Man from Davos: How Billionaires Devoured the World.

Source: AFP