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World Economic Forum 2020 Kicks off in Davos

Published January 22nd, 2020 - 09:47 GMT

Some of the world’s most powerful people gathered for the annual World Economic Forum that kicked off today in Davos, Switzerland.

The invitation-only event has been criticized as a gathering of the world’s elite. Many attendees use the opportunity to privately agree investments and business deals.

About 3,000 people, of which 24% are women, from 117 countries, are gathering in the Davos ski town of the Swiss Alps for the 50th anniversary of the WEF. U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among 53 heads of state or government attending the forum. 

On the other hand, Greta Thunberg, a renowned teenage climate activist, is in Davos along with other activists.  

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US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 21, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 21, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng delivers a speech at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng delivers a speech at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

In this file photo taken on January 21, 2019, policeman wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading 'Davos', near the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, eastern Switzerland. The World Economic Forum 50th Annual Meeting in Davos is held from January 21 to 24, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

In this file photo taken on January 21, 2019, policeman wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading 'Davos', near the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, eastern Switzerland. The World Economic Forum 50th Annual Meeting in Davos is held from January 21 to 24, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

US president Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

US president Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

A man dressed as Ronald McDonald, the clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain, holds a placard as he takes part in a gathering called by climate activists prior to the start of a march to Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 19, 2020 in Landquart. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

A man dressed as Ronald McDonald, the clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain, holds a placard as he takes part in a gathering called by climate activists prior to the start of a march to Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 19, 2020 in Landquart. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) is greeted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab after delivering a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum during the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, on January 20, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) is greeted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab after delivering a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum during the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, on January 20, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

A sign is seen inside the Congress center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 20, 2020 in Davos. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

A sign is seen inside the Congress center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 20, 2020 in Davos. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 21, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng delivers a speech at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
In this file photo taken on January 21, 2019, policeman wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading 'Davos', near the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, eastern Switzerland. The World Economic Forum 50th Annual Meeting in Davos is held from January 21 to 24, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
US president Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
A man dressed as Ronald McDonald, the clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain, holds a placard as he takes part in a gathering called by climate activists prior to the start of a march to Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 19, 2020 in Landquart. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) is greeted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab after delivering a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum during the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, on January 20, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
A sign is seen inside the Congress center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 20, 2020 in Davos. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 21, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 21, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng delivers a speech at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng delivers a speech at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
In this file photo taken on January 21, 2019, policeman wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading 'Davos', near the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, eastern Switzerland. The World Economic Forum 50th Annual Meeting in Davos is held from January 21 to 24, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
In this file photo taken on January 21, 2019, policeman wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading 'Davos', near the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, eastern Switzerland. The World Economic Forum 50th Annual Meeting in Davos is held from January 21 to 24, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
US president Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
US president Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
A man dressed as Ronald McDonald, the clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain, holds a placard as he takes part in a gathering called by climate activists prior to the start of a march to Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 19, 2020 in Landquart. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
A man dressed as Ronald McDonald, the clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain, holds a placard as he takes part in a gathering called by climate activists prior to the start of a march to Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 19, 2020 in Landquart. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) is greeted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab after delivering a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum during the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, on January 20, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) is greeted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab after delivering a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum during the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, on January 20, 2020. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
A sign is seen inside the Congress center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 20, 2020 in Davos. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
A sign is seen inside the Congress center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 20, 2020 in Davos. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

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