Addis Ababa, January 21, 2026 (FMC) – Nearly 65 heads of state and government are convening this week in the Swiss Alpine resort town of Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026, as global leaders grapple with a complex geopolitical and economic landscape.
The forum, held in Davos–Klosters from January 19 to 23 under the theme “The Spirit of Dialogue,” has drawn leaders from the G7, G20, and BRICS nations, alongside around 850 chief executives and chairs of the world’s largest corporations.
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide is participating in the meeting. Addressing a session titled “Africa’s Job Engine,” Minister Shide emphasized the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in driving inclusive growth and expanding employment opportunities for the continent’s rapidly growing youth population.
Discussions at the forum are unfolding against a backdrop of rising geopolitical fragmentation, rapid technological change, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade, security, and governance.
“Dialogue is not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity,” said World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende, highlighting the critical role of open engagement in addressing shared global challenges.
Several world leaders delivered keynote addresses or participated in public discussions during the opening days of the meeting.
Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, underscored his country’s strategic role as a bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic world, pointing to recent fiscal reforms that bolster growth and investment.
In his welcoming remarks, Swiss President Guy Parmelin called for enhanced international cooperation to confront global challenges, stressing that advances in society, science, economics, and politics must proceed in tandem.
Leaders attending the forum articulated diverse perspectives on global economic integration and cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is intensifying efforts to diversify trade partnerships amid ongoing U.S. tariffs and protectionist pressures.
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng called for deeper economic cooperation, cautioning that “tariffs and trade wars have no winners,” while also affirming the importance of maintaining engagement in global economic systems.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the current global moment as a “profound shift,” emphasizing the need for effective multilateralism in the face of rising international tensions.
In a wide-ranging address, U.S. President Donald Trump touched on issues including trade, tariffs, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, migration, and global health, reiterating that the United States would not resort to force in pursuing national interests in contentious regions.
As the annual meeting continues, global leaders are expected to further debate the future of international trade, security, technology governance, and economic cooperation amid an increasingly fragmented global environment.