Davos, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, currently underway in Davos, has brought together leaders from around the world to discuss pressing global challenges, from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to climate change and international relations.
Among the most significant calls for action came from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who, in a special address, urged the European Union to overhaul its social media governance. Sanchez emphasized the urgent need for reform to combat online misinformation and abuse, advocating for greater transparency and stricter enforcement of the Digital Services Act. “The values of the European Union are not for sale,” he declared, calling for more funding into studies of social media algorithms and stronger authority for the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced stark warnings, particularly about the unregulated growth of AI and the ongoing climate crisis. He warned that both pose “unprecedented risks” to humanity. Guterres stressed that urgent, coordinated action is necessary from governments and the corporate sector. He highlighted the United Nations’ Global Digital Compact as a blueprint for responsible digital technology use, acknowledging AI’s enormous promise but cautioning against unchecked progress.
Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also made headlines with the announcement of the creation of the world’s largest tropical forest reserve, the Kivu to Kinshasa Green Corridor Reserve, which will protect over 550,000 square kilometers of forest. Tshisekedi emphasized that this initiative goes beyond environmental preservation, promising to boost economic growth and improve the livelihoods of millions in the region.
On the economic front, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed optimism about ASEAN’s future, particularly as Malaysia prepares to take over the regional body’s chairmanship. Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s growth as a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse, attributing much of its success to deeper regional integration in green energy. He also pointed out the growing economic ties between Malaysia and China, stressing that dialogue and collaboration are essential for mutual progress, especially in the realm of AI and sustainable development.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza also took center stage, with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian expressing cautious optimism following a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. Aghabekian emphasized the need for long-term planning in addition to urgent aid measures to address the ongoing humanitarian disaster. She called for continuous international support to ensure aid reaches those in dire need.
In a similar vein, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hasan AlShaibani outlined the intentions of Syria’s new administration in the wake of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. AlShaibani affirmed that Syria would no longer engage in sectarian conflicts, pledging to uphold women’s rights and work toward the country’s rebuilding.
Finally, Iranian Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Javad Zarif reflected on the legacy of the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Zarif noted the failure of the withdrawal to deter Iran, instead resulting in significant hardship for the Iranian people. He called for a more pragmatic and focused approach in the next U.S. administration to address the ongoing consequences of this decision.
As the forum concludes later this week, global leaders have underscored the need for immediate, cooperative action to address these critical challenges, highlighting both the risks and potential solutions that can shape the future of international relations, technology, and sustainability.