Geneva
16 January 2008
Many of the world's most powerful political, business, religious, and cultural leaders will attend this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. From January 23 to 27, this small Alpine village will play host to more than 2,500 people from 88 countries. They will come together to discuss some of the most pressing issues of the day, including the economy, terrorism and climate change. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will address the issues of climate change and terrorism in a keynote address at the opening session.
As in previous years, informal meetings on weighty political issues will take place away from the glare of the media spotlight. High-ranking Israeli and Palestinian representatives, for the first time, will be in Davos together.
Humanitarian issues also will be addressed. Managing director of the Forum, Richard Samans, says an informal gathering of world leaders will discuss the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
"A couple of years back, the world's leaders unanimously agreed to take action, not withstanding state sovereignty, when there is a gross humanitarian and human rights crisis within a country," he said. "And, that certainly happens to be the case that we see with Darfur. So, we will have a special luncheon, an extended session where the prime minister of Japan will open it. Kofi Annan, the former U.N. Secretary-General will set the stage for the discussions."
Samans says a number of important African and world policymakers will explore the steps needed to take that promise of human rights action and turn it into reality.