Davos 2024: A Slimmer Gathering of Global Leaders Amidst Shifting Geopolitical Tides
The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, is underway, but this year’s gathering presents a stark contrast to previous years. While the event boasts a substantial attendance of nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, a notable absence of several key world leaders highlights a shifting global landscape and a potential waning influence for the forum itself. The conspicuous absence of prominent figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises questions about the WEF’s evolving relevance in an increasingly fractured world. Even among the G7 nations, only outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is attending in person, underscoring the diminished presence of major global powers.
Key Takeaways: A Davos Divided
- Significant absences: Key world leaders, including those from India, China, France, Italy, and the UK, are skipping the WEF 2024, signaling potential shifts in global alliances and priorities.
- G7 representation dwindles: Only Germany’s outgoing chancellor is attending in person from the G7, a striking demonstration of the reduced participation from this influential group.
- Theme of collaboration: Despite the absences, the WEF’s theme, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” aims to address pressing global challenges such as reimagining growth, safeguarding the planet, and rebuilding trust.
- Shifting global dynamics: The absences reflect evolving geopolitical relationships and growing skepticism towards global institutions like the WEF, influenced by rising populism and nationalist sentiments.
- WEF’s evolving role: The forum’s appeal appears to be diminishing, potentially indicating a need for adaptation in a world increasingly characterized by fragmentation and diverging national interests.
Who’s in Davos? A Notable Shift in Attendance
While many prominent leaders are absent, the WEF 2024 still attracts a significant number of influential figures. Ding Xuexiang, the vice premier of China, holds a powerful position, signifying China’s continued involvement despite President Xi’s absence. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presence underscores the ongoing war and its global implications. The attendance of leaders from Argentina and South Africa—Javier Milei and Cyril Ramaphosa, respectively— offers diverse perspectives from the Global South. The presence of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, represents the ongoing importance of European Union involvement. Leaders of major international organizations like the IMF, UN, WHO, and WTO will also share insights and contribute to discussions.
Interpreting the Attendee List: More than Just Numbers
The list of attendees alone doesn’t paint a complete picture. Sven Smit, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, highlights the importance of understanding the perspectives of those *present* in Davos. The unpredictable nature of dominant themes, ranging from economic growth to sustainability, adds a layer of intrigue to the event. However, the noticeable absence of several key players adds context to the discussions. Many Western institutions attending the WEF have found themselves at odds with populist leaders and nations like Russia and China, showcasing the global division in ideologies and geopolitical stances. The WEF itself hasn’t escaped this growing anti-establishment sentiment, indicating a changing relationship between global institutions and the nations they seek to influence.
The WEF’s Evolving Role in a Turbulent World
Professor Jan Aart Scholte of Leiden University points to the significant shift in attendance, noting the absence of leaders who were once key speakers. He highlights the lack of presence from Brazil, China, India, and Russia, along with the absence of the British prime minister. Scholte observes: “**The general picture of the heads of state, of government that are there is that it’s not the big players.** I think if you went through a list of the G20, it’s going to be a small minority [who are attending].”
While there are no official reasons given for the lack of participation, Scholte suggests that various factors are at play. **Pressing domestic issues**, economic slowdowns, and political crises likely keep many leaders tied to their home countries. There’s also a growing **ambivalence toward the WEF**, often seen as elite and detached from the concerns of ordinary people. This sentiment is fueled by a rising tide of populism and nationalism worldwide. Scholte notes a shift in the WEF’s demeanor, suggesting a more modest approach reflecting a recognition that their previous approach hasn’t always been inclusive or effective. **“I think there’s a bit more modesty that, no, it sometimes doesn’t fully work. And no, we haven’t always taken sufficient account of those who feel excluded from this,”** he observes.
A Diminished Magnet? The WEF’s Future
While the WEF remains a draw for many business and political leaders, its influence appears somewhat diminished compared to previous decades, according to Scholte. The absence of key players and the growing skepticism toward global institutions suggest a need for the WEF to adapt and redefine its role. However, dismissing the WEF entirely would be a mistake; it still holds a degree of gravitas and influence in critical areas of world economic governance. The organization needs to evolve beyond its past and to address the concerns raised by critics to continue playing a significant role in the future of global cooperation.
Davos 2024: A Reflection of a Changing World
The 2024 WEF meeting is more than just an annual gathering; it’s a reflection of the complex and ever-shifting dynamics of the global landscape. The noticeable absences reveal a growing fragmentation in global leadership and the emergence of new power centers. This year’s gathering, with its reduced presence of major global powers, suggests a world where multilateralism faces significant challenges, and cooperation is increasingly difficult to achieve. The success of the WEF in navigating this challenge will likely depend on its ability to adapt, fostering dialogue and inclusivity in a world where the traditional frameworks of global leadership are being continually rewritten. The conspicuous absences at Davos this year serve as a clear indicator of this ongoing transformation.
