DAVOS: Security was tight around the venue for the World Economic Forum in Davos on Sunday, 22 May, as business and political elite arrived in Switzerland for the conference running from 22-26 May, which is being held under the theme “History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies." Prime Minister Hun Sen also departed to Davos on Saturday, 21 May, to attend this conference.
The major topics of this year's World Economic Forum include geo-economic challenges, pandemic recovery, tackling climate change, the future for work, accelerating stakeholder capitalism, harnessing new technologies, and the Ukraine crisis
"At this moment in time, with the backdrop of the pandemic, with the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and with now the economic crisis, the energy crisis, the food crisis that very large parts of the world face, this is absolutely the right moment for political leaders, for business leaders and others to come back together," said Saadia Zahidi, the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.
She further stated, "This is the moment to restart that engine of cooperation, and that is very much what this meeting hopes to be, to ensure that we can get to that positive future faster, get over the various fractures in the global economy much faster, and ensure that there are better outcomes for people and for [the] planet."
The World Economic Forum's annual meeting had been interrupted for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This offline annual meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Davos in January this year, but was later postponed to May due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant.
The resumption of the forum has attracted global attention, with a total of nearly 2,500 guests from all walks of life attending 2022’s annual meeting. No government or corporate bigwigs from Russia were invited, however, because of the Ukraine war.
The Swiss government has stated it will deploy as many as 5,000 military personnel to support local police, and air force jets will again circle above to enforce a no-fly zone.
On the first day of the forum agenda on Monday, more than 60 sub-forums and theme activities were set up. About 300 government representatives attended the annual meeting, including more than 50 heads of state and government, and more than 1,250 leaders from the private sector. Participants discussed six themes, promoting global and regional cooperation, securing economic recovery and shaping a new era of growth, building healthy and equitable societies, protecting climate, food and nature, driving industrial transformation, and making the most of the Four Industrial Revolution.
Speaking at a panel on Monday, the International Monetary Fund Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, said she does not expect a recession for the world's major economies but also cannot rule one out.
She said the global economic outlook has darkened in the month since the IMF downgraded its 2022 growth outlook because of the war in Ukraine, China's slowdown and global price shocks, particularly for food. However, she said that while the world economy faces headwinds, current growth forecasts offer a buffer against a potential global recession.
Prime Minister Hun Sen also left to attend the World Economic Forum on 21 May. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia confirmed that the Prime Minister will hold work meetings with the leaders of some countries and receive courtesy calls from political and business dignitaries.
Upon arriving in Davos, the Prime Minister met with over 2,000 Cambodians living in Europe on the night of 21 May. While addressing the meeting, he said that his presence in Switzerland led more than 10 Cambodians to protest against his arrival, which the Prime Minister considers a part of the democratic process. Moreover, the Prime Minister continued to urge the Cambodian people who support the government to be patient with the protests from the opposition so that Cambodia can unite the people.
The Prime Minister also recalled a visit to France last year when there were some protests held against him. At the time as well, he told CPP and government supporters to be patient and to keep the situation under control.
During his stay in Switzerland, the Prime Minister is expected to deliver the opening speech of "Cambodia Night", an event organized by the WorldBridge Group with the aim of promoting foreign business in Cambodia. The Prime Minister is also expected to deliver a closing speech with stakeholders on "Strategic Perspectives on ASEAN" and at an informal luncheon with world economic leaders under the theme "Restoring Peace and Order.”
