WEF founder flags need for solidarity

In an interview with newspaper NZZamSonntag, Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, says that WEF is more relevant than ever.

“We’re the witnesses to a transformation from a unipolar to a multipolar world. In this situation, the attempt to build bridges and work together is more important than ever,” the 80-year-old German engineer and economisttold the newspaper.

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Asked whether he felt the isolationist zeitgeist in relation to WEF’s annual session in Davos, Schwab said: “Of course you can feel that. The discussions have become more difficult. On the other hand, we’ve never felt so much interest in Davos. People are aware that we need a minimum of global coherence.”

Schwab cited terrorism, cybercrime and the environment as key common topics. Regarding the latter, he said, “We’re leaving the next generation with a huge burden – most countries know that improvements can only be made through global cooperation.”

The rest of the interview can be read in German at NZZam Sonntag.