2500 leaders to participate in WEF Davos meet
January 20, 2014, 10:00 am

Among the many highlights in the program would be a session on economic prospects for major emerging economies including BRICS [Image Courtesy: WEF]

Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, will address the meet on Friday.

The 40 heads of state or government expected in Davos include those from the UK, Australia, Japan, Iran, Israel, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, and the Republic of Korea.

South Africa’s Foreign Ministry told The BRICS Post that the nation will be sending a 7-member cabinet Ministers’ team which includes Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Trade Minister Rob Davies.

The South African delegation will “update global business leaders on SA’s plans to raise the level of economic growth under the auspices of the now broadly accepted National Development Plan (NDP)”.

South African President Jacob Zuma had backed the NDP as the socio-economic blueprint for the country while briefing the South African leaders who will be attending the WEF meet.

“Developing countries do need higher levels of inclusive economic growth if they are to meet their developmental challenges. In South Africa’s case, the country needs faster and more inclusive growth to reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality,” said a statement of the South African Finance Ministry.

Meanwhile, India will be represented by a nearly 125-member delegation including senior ministers and top corporate leaders at the WEF’s exclusive club for a small, powerful elite.

Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma will lead the Indian delegation for the WEF meet from January 22 to 25.

The state of the world economy, the growing divide between the rich and the poor in the fast growing emerging economies will be discussed at the meet.

“Disgruntlement can lead to the dissolution of the fabric of society, especially if young people feel they don’t have a future,” warned Jennifer Blanke, WEF’s chief economist earlier last week while releasing their annual assessment of global dangers.

Other global hotspots like Syria, Iran as well as the future of the Eurozone will be discussed.

Among the many highlights in the program would be a session on economic prospects for major emerging economies including BRICS.

The post-2015 development goals, the future of health and healthcare, the pressing youth unemployment challenge, as well as the future of North Africa and the Middle East are also on the agenda of the meet.

UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon and World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Roberto Azevedo will also be attending the meet.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business”.

TBP