- World leaders present ambitious visions for the future at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos.
- During his speech at Davos, President Trump announced the “largest tax cut in American history” and indicated plans for a significant intervention to lower oil prices and interest rates.
- Pope Francis urged global leaders to collaborate in ensuring that artificial intelligence serves the greater good in a public letter to Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum.
- President Milei of Argentina is advocating for libertarian economic policy reforms.
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 23, 2025 – During a live video address to approximately 3,000 global leaders at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, U.S. President Donald J. Trump presented his strategy to strengthen the U.S. economy and encourage investment.
In his speech, the newly inaugurated president promised “the largest tax cut in American history,” including significant tax reductions for workers and families. He announced plans to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%. Additionally, he indicated that foreign companies manufacturing goods in the U.S. would benefit from this reduction while warning of potential tariffs on companies that do not produce goods there.
He also announced plans to increase investment in U.S. energy by speeding up the permit process for new projects. “The United States has the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we’re going to use it,” said Trump, adding that this would benefit the country’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries. “America is back and open for business,” he said.
Trump emphasized that reducing oil prices could be crucial to ending the Ukraine-Russia war, urging Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil costs. He stated, “You’ve got to bring down the oil price,” explaining that high prices prolong the conflict.
The former president expressed a desire to “meet with President Putin soon” to facilitate an end to the war, noting the significant human toll with “millions of lives being lost.” He indicated that Ukraine is open to negotiation while insisting Russia is responsible for engaging in discussions.
On behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Turkson of the Holy See addressed the theme of this year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025: “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” He emphasized that this theme provides an opportunity to reflect on how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for cooperation and unity.
In a letter read to Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Board of Trustees, Turkson highlighted the Catholic Church’s long-standing commitment to advancing science, technology, and the arts. He noted that these areas are essential for collaboration and growth among humanity. However, the Pope cautioned that governments and businesses are responsible for exercising due diligence and vigilance when adopting AI technologies.
“The potential of AI to generate outputs that are indistinguishable from those created by humans raises significant ethical concerns, especially about the increasing crisis of truth in public discourse,” the Pope stated. He emphasized the need for a collective effort among corporations, institutions, governments, and international organizations to ensure that AI serves the common good. He added that by promoting a culture of ethical accountability, AI can help contribute to a more united and just global society.
Argentinian President Javier Milei expressed strong opinions on various issues in a unique address. He urged leaders to seek new approaches regarding economic policy, stating that “the script of the last 40 years has run out,” and the time has come to “break free and be bold.” He highlighted Argentina as a model to emulate, saying, “The world has embraced Argentina. Argentina has become a global example of fiscal responsibility, a commitment to honoring our obligations, and an effort to address the inflation problem.”
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 will be held in the picturesque setting of Davos-Klosters from January 20 to January 24. This prestigious gathering will unite a diverse group of global leaders, thinkers, and innovators under the thought-provoking theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”
During this dynamic event, attendees will engage in meaningful discussions to foster new partnerships and generate valuable insights to help shape a sustainable and inclusive future, particularly as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of rapidly advancing technology.
The meeting will center on five critical areas of focus:
- Reimagining Growth – Exploring innovative pathways to economic development that benefit all members of society.
- Industries in the Intelligent Age—Examines the transformative impact of technology on various industries and how they can adapt to thrive.
- Investing in People – Highlighting the importance of education, skill development, and workforce empowerment in an evolving job market.
- Safeguarding the Planet – Address pressing environmental issues and promote sustainable practices to protect our planet for future generations.
- Rebuilding Trust: This focuses on the essential role of trust in relationships between governments, businesses, and communities in fostering collaboration and resilience.
Through these discussions, the Annual Meeting aims to create a collaborative environment where new ideas can flourish, ultimately leading to actionable strategies that will drive positive change on a global scale.
Source: World Economic Forum
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