The World Economic Forum (WEF), a glitzy annual meeting of political and business leaders in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, will move from Switzerland to Singapore next year. "The change in location reflects the forum’s priority of safeguarding the health and safety of participants and the host community," the WEF said in a statement. Notably, for the first time in 18 years, the World Economic Forum will be held outside Europe.
"The World Economic Forum will convene the Special Annual Meeting 2021 in Singapore from 13-16 May. It will return to Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, for the Annual Meeting 2022," WEF president Borge Brende noted. The event was expected to take part in Switzerland in the spring of 2021. It would be impossible to host such a grandiose event due to the difficult epidemiological situation in Europe. "After careful consideration, and in light of the current situation with regards to COVID-19 cases, it was decided that Singapore was best placed to hold the meeting," organizers pinpointed.
According to Mr. Brende, the Singapore authorities managed to cope with the negative consequences of the epidemic better than other countries. Experts believe that there will be no risk to the health of forum participants in Singapore.
This event was usually held in winter. In August, organizers announced the upcoming changes. After long discussions, they decided to postpone it until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Economic Forum usually brings together thousands of major businessmen and government officials from different countries. This year, the event was attended by 3,000 officials from 117 countries, including 53 heads of state and government.
