World leaders to address virtual forum after Davos gathering postponed

Xi Jinping (Andy Wong/AP), Narednra Modi and Cyril Ramaphosa (Victoria Jones/Jonathan Brady/PA)

Organisers of the World Economic Forum are expecting leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a virtual gathering next week — after Covid-19 postponed and moved the annual in-person event of Davos, Switzerland.

Forum founder Klaus Schwab said the aim of the virtual Davos Agenda week meeting starting on January 25 is to restore trust and engage all stakeholders in business, government, civil society and beyond to help build a “more peaceful and prosperous post-corona era”.