There was no snow, no Russians and fewer Chinese representatives – but there was a lot of rain and Ukrainians.
The World Economic Forum is usually held under the ice sheet in January.
But this year’s WEF was postponed until the spring, after the 2020 event was canceled due to the Covid pandemic.
– Wet roads and tests –
While the roads were wet, it was easier than usual for delegates to get to and from the Congress Center and their hotels.
In winter, getting from place to place takes longer – and it can be a slippery affair.
But Adam Tooze, a leading professor of economics history at Columbia University in New York, was not a fan of the spring date.
“I really think this time of year isn’t suitable for Davos at all. It’s not summer and it’s not winter,” Touse said. “It’s so beautiful, it’s really exotic and weird in winter.”
While the WEF withdrew as COVID restrictions fell in Europe, organizers took no chances and required participants to be vaccinated and tested before traveling to Davos.
After reaching the site, the delegates had to undergo another COVID test to be able to participate. According to the WEF, only one percent of the attendees tested positive.
It allowed people to mingle around the Congress and the party at night without wearing masks.
– Russian out –
The WEF decided to expel the Russians in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russians have traditionally been a major presence in Davos and court was held at the “Russia House” on the main street.
But the red-shutter house was taken over by Ukrainians, who renamed it “Russian War Crimes House” to call attention to the alleged atrocities committed in their country.
The forum usually focused on economic and climate issues, but the war in Ukraine took center stage at the event, which was organized under the theme “History at a Turn”.
Ukraine’s foreign ministers, lawmakers and mayors seized on the incident to request more heavy weapons for its military and tougher sanctions on Russia.
“This year, Davos is the Ukrainian stage, Ukrainian Davos,” Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Pinchuk, whose foundation was behind the “Russian War Crimes House,” said at an event.
– Little Chinese presence –
The organizer said 2,500 delegates, including 50 heads of state and heads of government, are expected to attend this year’s edition.
But there were far fewer Chinese participants than usual.
Organizers said that 21 delegates from China participated in this year’s WEF, compared to 79 at the last individual podium in January 2020.
While European countries have lifted their COVID restrictions, Chinese authorities have imposed a lockdown on Shanghai as the country grapples with its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic.
Travel also required a lengthy quarantine upon return to China.
Zhu Ning, a finance professor at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, said some people even missed this year’s event because it was difficult to reschedule it after it was postponed.
But he decided it was important to travel.
“I think there is some misunderstanding and misconception of China right now,” he told AFP. “I try to be this bridge to help the West understand China better.”
The most prominent Chinese participant was the country’s climate envoy, Zi Zhenhua, who appeared on a panel with US counterpart John Kerry.
Previous incidents included Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Huawei chief Ren Zhengfei.
President Xi Jinping made a splash when he appeared in 2017.
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.