SWITZERLAND – The World Economic Forum 2026 kicked off in Davos Switzerland on Monday Jan. 19, with initial sessions focusing on artificial intelligence, technological transformation, global economy and sustainability amid heightened geopolitical and geo-economic risks.

Held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the summit runs through Jan. 23 and is expected to draw nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries.

About 400 high-level officials and political leaders are anticipated, including 65 heads of state and government, 55 ministers of economy and finance, 33 foreign ministers, 34 ministers of trade and industry, and 11 central bank governors.

Political leaders and senior business executives are gathering for sessions aimed at fostering dialogue on the world’s most pressing challenges and translating discussions into tangible impact.

Organizers said the forum is taking place at a time of increased global uncertainty, with participants expected to address complex issues ranging from economic stability and technological change to artificial intelligence and long-term sustainability.

Key attendees are expected to include US President Donald Trump, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Argentinian President Javier Milei, among others.

Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on the afternoon of Jan. 21 and is expected to be accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres Cancels Trip

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cancelled plans to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), due to a “bad cold,” his spokesperson confirmed Monday.

“The secretary-general is currently near Geneva, Switzerland, where he is meeting with his special and personal representatives and envoys.

Following these meetings, he will return to New York and has cancelled his planned trip to Davos due to a bad cold,” Farhan Haq confirmed at a news conference.

Davos is the informal name for the WEF meeting, held annually in January as a major global gathering where political leaders, heads of global companies, academics, and public figures discuss economic, geopolitical, and social issues.

What’s Different in 2026 Summit

This year’s summit takes place amid heightened diplomatic tensions after a series of moves by US President Donald Trump unsettled European allies and diplomats in the run-up to the gathering.

Last week, the White House announced the formation of a new board to “play an essential role in fulfilling” the 20 points of Trump’s plan to permanently end Israel’s war on Gaza and rebuild the enclave, while “providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.”

The US also formed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to implement phase two of Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, along with a founding Executive Board and a Gaza Executive Board to support the transitional framework.

Trump has invited additional heads of state and government to join the board, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others.

Separately, Trump announced Saturday that Washington would impose tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland starting on Feb. 1, with rates beginning at 10% and rising to 25% by June over their opposition to the US’ push to take control of Greenland.

The US president said the measures would remain in place until a deal is reached for the US’ “complete and total purchase” of the arctic island territory from Denmark, citing national security concerns and claiming that “world peace is at stake.”

Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has drawn US interest for its strategic location and mineral resources, but both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any proposal for its sale, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.

Invitation to Iran’s Foreign Minister Cancelled

The World Economic Forum (WEF) said on Monday that it had canceled an invitation to the annual event to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, citing the recent crackdown on protests across the country.

“The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos,” the WEF said on US social media company X.

The Forum added: “Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year.”

Anti-government protests over the deteriorating economic situation and a record depreciation of the national currency broke out in Tehran late last month and gradually spread to other cities across Iran.

On Jan. 8, the protests took a violent turn after the US-based son of the late shah of Iran urged people to take to the streets in protest against the government.

Amid fierce street clashes between protesters and security personnel, hundreds of casualties were reported, especially in the western provinces.

Police said the peaceful protests were “hijacked by rioters,” who, they claim, were supported by the US and Israeli intelligence agencies.

What Araghchi Said

Araghchi, for his part, accused the WEF of cancelling his scheduled appearance due to what he described as false claims and political pressure from Israel and its US-based “proxies and apologists.”

Addressing the unrest, Araghchi claimed that authorities in his country had acted to defend the public against what he called “armed terrorists and ISIS-style killings,” alleging that such actions were openly backed by Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.

He criticized the forum for not revoking invitations to Israeli leaders despite Tel Aviv’s “mass slaughter” in the Gaza Strip. Araghchi specifically cited Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s participation in Davos in January 2024, claiming he appeared despite facing legal complaints in Switzerland related to the war in Gaza.

“If WEF wants to feign a supposedly ‘moral’ stance, that is its prerogative. But it should at least be consistent about it. The current blatant double standard only conveys moral depravity and intellectual bankruptcy. People have the right to know the truth and judge for themselves. Shame is solely reserved for those who think otherwise,” Araghchi added.