Davos-Switzerland-January 17, 2023

For the first time since the covid-19 pandemic, global political and economic elites are meeting in Davos with discussions focused on the war in Ukraine and the future of world trade after the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions in China.

Among the most prominent speakers from the forum discussions were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

Almost a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and with the death toll of the Dnipro offensive continuing to rise, the war will be firmly present.

A large Ukrainian delegation has arrived at the Swiss ski resort headed by First Lady of Ukraine Olena zelenska, who delivered a special speech to the forum during the plenary session .

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in video interventions on the sidelines of the forum starting tomorrow.

The consequences of the conflict for global energy supplies, food security and security in general, especially in Europe, will also be on the agenda this week, with the participation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as other prime ministers.

Although Russians and some prominent figures in Davos, such as billionaire George Soros, will be absent from the forum, the latter will see greater participation of China after Beijing lifted the strict restrictions imposed on travel to combat the pandemic.

US President Joe Biden has been criticized over the inflation reduction law, which provides for large-scale assistance to companies operating in the electric vehicle or renewable energy sector based in the United States, which has angered Europeans.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that "public interventions adopted in the name of economic or national security" may lead to "unforeseen consequences" or "may be exploited for economic gain at the expense of others".

According to the Swiss government, about five thousand soldiers were deployed and flight restrictions were imposed in the region to ensure the safety of hundreds of heads of state and government, ministers, representatives of international organizations and heads of companies participating in the meeting.

Davos this week is also a gathering point for NGOs. About 200 people demonstrated there in protest against the holding of the World Economic Forum.

Oxfam on Monday condemned the"dangerous levels" of economic inequality in the world, calling for halving the number of billionaires in the world by 2030 through taxes.