What is happening at WEF 2022 at Davos? 6 things you need to know

For the next few days, you will see hoards of news updates on your TV screens and newspapers about the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Switzerland. Now, if you think it is yet another big global committee where world leaders come and yap about global problems, you are right. Coz it is true. But what is Davos all about in 2022? Here is everything you need to know:

WHAT IS WEF? 

In 1971, The Davos Forum started off as a conference for European executives to meet and discuss corporate governance issues. Now, the forum is a global platform where people meet and attend diverse sessions to discuss the issues challenging the world. The annual event is hosted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is a not-for-profit foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. The foundation is an independent body that strives to find solutions for the world's most urgent challenges by hosting conversations between world leaders. The forum always makes news because global leaders take decisions and come together to reconnect, exchange insights, gain fresh perspectives and give solutions on critical issues.

This year, the annual event is being held between May 22 and May 26 at Davos, Geneva, Switzerland.

WHO ALL VISIT THE WEF?

2,500 global leaders who represent businesses, governments, international organisations, civil society ( ie NGOs, social entrepreneurs, labor organisations) and academia attend the WEF. This year, Russia is banned from attending the forum because of its attack on Ukraine. 

WHO IS REPRESENTING INDIA?

Will be at the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos from 23-25 May.

India’s participation in @WEF will help reinforce its crucial role as a rising economic powerhouse, projecting it as an attractive hub for business & investment globally. pic.twitter.com/UUP4W3zg9I

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 21, 2022

As per a confirmed list as on May 18, 2022, 9 Indian ministers will be present at the Davos Forum. This includes:

• Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry
• Mansukhlal Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare
• Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas  
• KT Rama Rao, Minister of Information Technology
• Rajvardhan Singh, Minister for Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Madhya Pradesh
• Basavaraj S Bommai, Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Aaditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister of Tourism, Environment and Climate Change, Maharashtra
• N. K. Singh, Chairman, Finance Commission of India

On May 22, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, spoke at one of the sessions at WEF.  

Hon'ble CM @ysjagan leaving to the World Economic Forum, to address the global Healthcare leaders at the Congress Center on health system #WEF22 #APatWEF22 #Davos2022 #YSJaganInDavos pic.twitter.com/ZdA94tAAnm

— Vizag - The City Of Destiny (@Justice_4Vizag) May 23, 2022

WHAT DO THEY TALK ABOUT? 

The WEF Agenda usually includes topics like climate, nature, fairer economies, tech and innovation, better businesses and social cooperation. But, since the WEF is happening in Geneva after a gap of two years, the leaders have a lot of new issues on their plate. This includes: 

A. The lingering threat of Covid-19
B. Russia's war in Ukraine and shifting geopolitical influence
C. Combatting climate change
D. Rising energy prices
E. Global supply chain problems 
F. Gender inequality and poverty 

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

1. Indian states are being represented with their own pavilions to match with interested investors

Welcome to #Telangana- The India's gate way to investment opportunities...#TelanganaAtDavos pavillion...#Davos2022@KTRTRS @MinisterKTR pic.twitter.com/xHtf3GpMfS

— Dr.Mahesh Manikya (@MaheshManikya) May 23, 2022

Smart thing about India’s presence at @wef this year is that most state pavilions are stacked next to each other. Helps amplify India’s splash at #Davos2022 Taking over big part of the promenade is generating chatter among WEF attendees. No other country has such a big presence. pic.twitter.com/qM9kltZRpj

— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) May 22, 2022

2. Pavilions represent the trending topics of the world. Like: Crypto, blockchain, metaverse 

All things Crypto and blockchain have moved from being largely confined to the internet to being front and center of the Promenade at #Davos2022 Stable coins. NFTs. Metverse. Decentralised identity and many Web 3 concepts making their presence felt at @wef pic.twitter.com/Jbb83baUNu

— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) May 22, 2022

Are you ready ladies and gentlemen The day you've been waiting for has come, fasten your seat belts.?#CSPR #CasperNetwork #blockchain #Davos2022 #caspercoin pic.twitter.com/mBnaUmmZUr

— Günahkar Casper (@Gunahkar_Casper) May 23, 2022

THE IRONY

Though world leaders assemble from all over the world to talk on various issues, the environmental impact of this event continues to be called out. Two tweets on the same image show how people are poles apart when it comes to how they see this event.

As our delegates fly in today for the first day of #Davos2022 we’re excited to talk about climate change. pic.twitter.com/3NbtzBPBFB

— World Ecommunist Forum (@EcommunistForum) May 22, 2022

WEF - 4 days to go.

1500 private jets averaging 13,300 pounds of CO2 per 3 hour flight, will deliver the worlds richest NGOs, governments & elites to decide what you will sacrifice and what they will gain.

Democracy is dead. Wake up! Speak out!#WEF22 #Davos2022 pic.twitter.com/IXFjk5zMM1

— Bernie's Tweets (@BernieSpofforth) May 18, 2022