Masrour Barzani Arrives in Switzerland to Attend the World Economic Forum in Davos

ARK News.. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, has arrived in Switzerland to participate in the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, held under the theme "Cooperation in the Age of the Smart."

During the forum, Prime Minister Barzani is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with heads of state, government leaders, and senior officials from around the world. These discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation with the Kurdistan Region, particularly in economic and investment fields, to promote development and prosperity.

As part of the Kurdistan Region’s engagement, the "Kurdistan House," established last year under the Prime Minister's direction, will host various activities this year. These initiatives aim to showcase the region’s capabilities and investment opportunities, further solidifying the Kurdistan Region's presence in this prominent global economic platform.

Barzani's participation aligns with his ongoing efforts to elevate the Kurdistan Region's international standing and address critical issues concerning the future of Iraq and the broader region. A delegation of business leaders and investors from the Kurdistan Region is also attending the forum to explore potential collaborations.

The World Economic Forum officially commenced, on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the Swiss resort town of Davos. Known for convening global leaders in economics, technology, politics, and society, this year’s forum focuses on fostering dialogue and collaboration under the banner of "Cooperation in the Age of the Smart." The event runs until January 24, 2025, addressing pressing economic, technological, and environmental challenges and exploring solutions.

This year’s forum gathers approximately 3,000 prominent figures from over 130 countries, representing diverse sectors and regions, to drive dialogue, build trust, and promote sustainable solutions to shared global challenges.

The 2025 Davos meeting takes place against the backdrop of significant global risks, including armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and misinformation, as highlighted by a recent study from the World Economic Forum.

A survey released by the forum on Wednesday identified armed conflict as the most significant global risk in 2025, reflecting growing geopolitical fragmentation. Nearly one in four respondents—out of over 900 experts across academia, business, and policymaking—cited conflicts, including wars and terrorism, as the most pressing threat to economic growth in the coming year. Extreme weather, previously ranked as the top concern in 2024, now ranks second.

This year’s forum features participation from more than 350 government leaders, including 60 heads of state and government. Notable attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump, who will join via live video for an interactive dialogue with participants, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice President Ding Xuexiang, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Argentine President Javier Milei, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

President Trump, who is set to take the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, on Monday, is scheduled to deliver a virtual address to the forum on January 23, marking one of his first global engagements as president.

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