Davos 2025: Day 1 Snapshot

Greetings from Davos, Switzerland, where day 1 of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 kicked off tonight.?

Discussions this year will centre around the theme “Collaboration For The Intelligent Age,” with the programming orientated around five interconnected thematic priorities – Rebuilding trust; Reimagining growth; Safeguarding the planet; Industries in the intelligent age; and Investing in people. We will be following discussions and sharing key moments from panels, speeches, announcements and launches throughout the week.?

The first day of the Annual Meeting coincided with President Trump’s inauguration. Editors from The Economist, The National, TIME, and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) led a panel discussion on the anticipated policy changes under the new U.S. administration and their potential effects on the global economy.

Ahead of the Annual Meeting, WEF's Global Risks Report identified rising geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events among the top global risks for the year ahead. State-based armed conflict, driven by increasing geopolitical tensions, was identified as an immediate global risk for 2025. The also report highlighted climate change as a factor accelerating the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. The report sounded bullish about the transformative speed of AI, signalling growing optimism as AI usage grows on the back of mass rollout and experimentation by companies and individuals.

How to follow: Forum Stories will feature articles and opinion pieces from participants such as business leaders, public figures, experts, and civil society leaders. All WEF sessions will be live-streamed throughout the week and video recordings will be available afterwards.

What to watch

This year’s Crystal Awards honour fashion designer, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights Diane von Furstenberg; architect, social activist and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto; and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global advocate for children's rights David Beckham.

What to read

In a world fraught with uncertainty, many leaders feel compelled to project a polished, unflappable image. What if embracing vulnerability is the most powerful step you can take toward authentic leadership? Writing in TIME, Alan H. H. Fleischmann explores the importance of embracing vulnerability, cultivating curiosity, and practising self-reflection to become more authentic, impactful, and emotionally intelligent leaders. Read the full article below.