The World Economic Forum (WEF) commenced its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20, 2025, under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” From January 20 to January 23, this renowned gathering brought together leaders from governments, businesses, global organizations, and other key sectors to address critical global challenges such as economic growth, technological innovation, climate action, and restoring trust in a divided world. However, this year’s discussions were as much about who was absent as they were about the issues on the table—revealing a broader shift in global power dynamics.
Once seen as the ultimate stage for global collaboration, the WEF has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years for its perceived elitism and disconnect from real-world problems. Despite these critiques, this year’s event drew a mix of high-profile attendees, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also helped shed light on the unique challenges of the Global South. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is slated to make closing remarks via live video, a moment anticipated to garner significant attention.
Yet, the absence of several influential leaders was impossible to overlook. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer all skipped the forum. Among G7 leaders, only Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended, marking a stark departure from past years when Davos was a must-attend event for global heavyweights.
Why does this matter? Experts point to shifting priorities and a reevaluation of the WEF’s relevance. Historically, leaders like Xi and Modi made headline-grabbing keynote speeches at Davos, but in 2025, their attention seems to have turned inward or shifted to other platforms. Reasons for their absence range from domestic political demands to growing skepticism about whether forums like WEF still deliver meaningful outcomes. Jan Aart Scholte, a professor at Leiden University, highlighted the shift, observing, “The absence of major voices from Brazil, China, and India reflects a broader realignment. A decade ago, they were the stars of Davos. Today, they’ve moved on to other priorities.”
This year’s attendance patterns also underscore a more fragmented world order. Davos once symbolized the spirit of globalization, uniting leaders to champion interconnected markets and shared goals. Today, however, rising populism, geopolitical tensions, and economic slowdowns have dampened that enthusiasm. The G7 and G20 leaders skipping the event reflect a multipolar world where power no longer rests in the hands of a few superpowers. This decentralization has reshaped the WEF’s role but hasn’t diminished its capacity to foster dialogue.
Despite the shifting dynamics, Davos remains a hub for influential voices. Organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Trade Organization (WTO) participated and addressed pivotal issues, including economic inequality and climate change—cornerstones of this year’s agenda. According to Sven Smit, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, forums like these still serve an important function. “Understanding the shifting priorities of diverse leaders is one of Davos’s greatest strengths,” he remarked.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy capitalized on this platform to amplify his nation’s ongoing struggles, while Ursula von der Leyen advocated vigorously for global climate initiatives. These contributions highlighted the forum’s enduring role in inspiring critical conversations, even in an era of diminished attendance by traditional powers.
