Ongoing conflicts in various regions pose a continuous threat to global peace and stability. Additionally, political fragmentation is increasingly affecting other critical areas, including the climate crisis and the development of advanced technologies. In Davos, prominent figures from the public and private sectors, along with leading experts from civil society, gathered to deliberate on how to effectively address security crises, such as the current situation in the Middle East, while also working to counteract the divisive forces of fragmentation.
The event saw the participation of more than 60 heads of states and governments, along with nearly 300 ministers and other political leaders, many of whom delivered public speeches. Here are some highlights from their remarks.
Li called for the rebuilding of trust between countries and touted China’s economy, stressing its integral position in the global economy. “The Chinese economy is making steady progress, and will continue to provide a strong impetus for the world economy,” Li stated.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
“The world is not at a single inflection point. It is at multi inflection points.”
— Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Von der Leyen also discussed efforts to advance Europe’s energy independence. “Europe has made real progress in improving the resilience of its energy systems,” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and called on countries around the world to support Ukraine’s war efforts. ” “We need you in Ukraine to build, to reconstruct and to restore our lives,” he said.
“Almost no one believed in Ukraine, but we turned the tables.”
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy also praised the Ukrainian military’s extraordinary war efforts and called for international support to ensure a just and final peace.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani spoke with World Economic Forum President Børge Brende on 16 January.
Sheikh Mohammed discussed the current conflict in the Middle East and the precarious state of shipping security in the Red Sea. “Protecting the freedom of navigation is a global issue,” he said.
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Viet Nam
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Viet Nam, sat down for a conversation with Thomas Friedman, a foreign affairs columnist at The New York Times. Among several topics, Chinh shared Viet Nam’s plans for development, including a 2045 goal to become a developed nation with high income.
“For the industries to grow,” Chinh said, “we need to develop a modern and industrialized nation. And we need to attach importance to all industries.”
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor of the United States
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan delivered a special address outlining the United States’ position on the most pressing global issues ranging from shipping disruptions in the Red Sea to US competition with China. The world, he said, is in an era of “strategic competition in an age of interdependence.”
“Everyone who serves in positions of responsibility, foreign policy and national security likes to say that their time in the seat is the most complex and difficult of any time in recent history. But in our case, it’s actually true.”
— Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor
Sullivan noted that “major powers are vastly more interdependent than at any time during the Cold War,” adding that powerful countries are “also in stiff competition about the type of world we want to build. This age is one of disruptive change.”
Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan
“The longer [this conflict] lasts, the more prospects we have that endanger regional peace, security and stability,” he said.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States
“I can’t think of a time when there’s been both a greater multiplicity and greater complexity of the challenges that we’re dealing with,” Blinken said.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
“Geopolitical divides are preventing us from coming together around global solutions for global challenges.”
— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Guterres added that while rebuilding trust will not happen overnight, it is “both essential, and possible.”
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, sat down with CNN host Fareed Zakaria to discuss the geopolitics of the Middle East and Iran’s position on an array of global issues.
Mohammad Mustafa, Chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund
Javier Milei, President of Argentina
Javier Milei, President of Argentina, shared his views on the state of the global economy and the mechanisms for economic growth. Milei also discussed political and economic philosophy as well as his vision for economic stability in Argentina. For Milei’s full remarks, see here.
Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed various themes during his talk, including the potential consequences of failing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the significance of upholding a rules-based international order.
Sánchez also touched upon the ongoing global conflicts and stressed the importance of responsible governance in the use of artificial intelligence. Following his prepared remarks, he engaged in a conversation with Børge Brende, discussing topics such as the expansion of the European Union, including the possibility of Ukraine’s inclusion.
“Our common approach with regard to the conflict in Ukraine,” he said, “is the most important strength that we as Europe have.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed various topics, including economic growth in France and the progress of European integration. He also highlighted France’s technological capabilities and elaborated on initiatives aimed at promoting innovation in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
“2024 will be a pivotal year for Europeans.”
— Emmanuel Macron, President of France
Macron also outlined France’s position on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East.
Isaac Herzog, President of Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with World Economic Forum President Børge Brende about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and tensions in the region. Herzog decried Hamas’ terrorist attacks on 7 October 2023 and demanded the release of Israeli hostages currently being held by Hamas. Moreover, he called on the international community to support Israel in the conflict.
Mohammed Shyaa Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq
“There is a transition to diversification … we are reducing the reliance on oil revenue.”
— Mohammed Shyaa Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq
Moreover, Al Sudani spoke about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the rising tensions across the Middle East.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with Ravi Agrawal, Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy, about today’s most pressing foreign policy issues ranging from the conflict in the Middle East to the potential for NATO enlargement.
Kyriakos also reflected on Greek and European economic stability as well as the issue of migration across Mediterranean countries.
Other heads of state and government that attended the Davos conference include:
Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea; Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation; Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, President of Colombia; Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland; Najib Mikati, President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon; Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Prime Minister of Mongolia; Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria; Andrzej Duda, President of Poland; Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia; Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka; and Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand; among others.
