(Geneva) The World Economic Forum (WEF), which was scheduled to meet Jan. 17-21 in Davos, Switzerland, “is postponed” due to the spread of the Omicron variant, organizers said in a statement.
The meeting – which marries the world of business, politics and diplomacy – must now be held “at the beginning of the summer”, specified the organizers. In January 2021, the WEF had already abandoned the snowfall of Davos in favor of a completely virtual format.
The WEF has nevertheless decided to organize a series of online sessions entitled “The State of the World”, which should allow “to formulate solutions for the most pressing problems in the world”.
“The current conditions of the pandemic make it very difficult to organize a global meeting in person,” said the organizers.
It is the very high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, of the virus that gives COVID-19, which forced the WEF to review its plans, while a fortnight ago he explained still continuing preparations for the January meeting.
“The health and safety of all those involved in the face-to-face meetings – the participants, the collaborators and the host community – has always been the priority of the Forum”, underlines the press release.
Klaus Schwab, the founder and president of WEF, still wants to believe that even online he can get things done.
“Public-private cooperation has advanced throughout the pandemic and it will continue at the same pace,” he said, adding that he looked forward to “bringing world leaders together soon”.
Switzerland has sharply increased its health restrictions since Monday, in an attempt not only to stem the 5e wave of COVID-19 but also to limit if possible contagions linked to Omicron, which is spreading very quickly in the country.
The Davos Forum was long regarded as the ultimate meeting place between business circles and politicians or civil society. The presidents and heads of government jostled there and mingled with the big bosses from all over the planet as well as many stars.