Ministers Valtonen and Tavio to attend annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos

Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will travel to the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 20–24 January. President of the Republic Alexander Stubb will also attend the WEF.

This year’s theme is Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, which emphasises the importance of global cooperation in an era of technological advancement.

Geo-economic fragmentation, geopolitical polarization and divisions over values increasingly continue to challenge societies. At the same time, innovations in artificial intelligence and in quantum, energy, health and biotechnologies offer opportunities to increase productivity and improve standards of living. The meeting will look for ways to address fragmentation and build a future based on cooperation and people-centred solutions.

On 21 January, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will participate in a public panel discussion on how diplomacy can solve acute security and economic challenges and promote long-term global goals in a changing geopolitical landscape and a deteriorating global security situation. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Spain and Nigeria, among others, will participate in the panel discussion. Foreign Minister Valtonen’s programme includes numerous bilateral meetings and larger discussion events in addition to the panel discussion.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio's programme will focus on Ukraine and meetings with international organisations and financial institutions that have a key role in Finland’s development policy. The Minister will speak at a UN Women event on strengthening gender equality and the rights and opportunities of women and girls on 21 January and present Finnish circular economy expertise at a discussion event on 22 January. In addition, the Minister will meet ministers from important partner countries to strengthen Finland’s commercial and economic relations with these countries.

The WEF annual meeting brings together heads of state and government representatives from more than a hundred countries, the most important international organisations, private sector actors and representatives of civil society and the media.