Davos 2025: What to Watch, Key Highlights, and Essential Insights

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Today marks the third day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, and the energy continues to build as global leaders, thinkers, and innovators converge on Davos. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the key moments from the first day that set the tone for this transformative event.

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What Happened on Day 1?

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15:00 GMT+1 – First Impressions: Inauguration Day

Donald Trump's inauguration as president of the United States will take place at 11:30 ET (17:30 CET). Join an expert panel, including Stanford historian Niall Ferguson and journalists Mina Al-Oraibi, Gerard Baker, Zanny Minton Beddoes, and Sam Jacobs, to discuss the Trump administration's future and worldwide implications.

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18:00 GMT+1 – The Crystal Awards 2025

Prepare to be inspired as three extraordinary Cultural Leaders are honored for their groundbreaking contributions:

• David Beckham, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, for championing children’s rights.
• Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer and philanthropist, for advancing women’s empowerment.
• Riken Yamamoto, 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate, for his revolutionary architectural and social work.

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18:30 GMT+1 – Opening Concert

Under the theme “Preserving the Glaciers”, this year’s Opening Concert blends classical music, electronic compositions, and AI-generated visuals to deliver a captivating experience.

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18:30 GMT+1 – Open Forum: All Abilities Welcome

This session addresses the challenges that 15% of the world's population faces due to disability. Leaders including Katy Talikowska, CEO of The Valuable 500, and David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, will address how to promote inclusion in education and work.

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Key Reports and Must-Reads

1. Global Cooperation Barometer 2025

This year's findings are a bit of a reality check: global cooperation is encountering some difficulties. But don't worry, things aren't all bad! The research highlights areas of success where partnerships are flourishing, demonstrating that collaboration isn't completely out of style.

2. Future of Jobs Report 2025

This work economy is all set to be transformed! Just imagine 170 million new jobs by 2030, but there's a catch: 92 million roles might be displaced along the way. What is the takeaway? It's time to improve your skills and get ahead of the curve.

3. Global Cybersecurity Outlook Report 2025

The online world is getting trickier to navigate. Smaller organizations and developing countries are falling behind in the cybersecurity race, which is creating a digital divide. This report calls for teamwork to tackle the growing complexity of cyberspace.

4. Global Risks Report 2025

The outlook for the next two years remains turbulent, with 52% of Chief Risk Officers predicting global instability through 2027.

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Launch Spotlight: Open But Secure

At 06:00 GMT+1, the forum unveils “Open But Secure: Europe’s Path to Strategic Interdependence”, an insight report exploring how Europe can navigate an increasingly multipolar world.

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Davos on the Airwaves

Stay up to date with Davos 2025 podcasts, which feature experts dissecting the event's most important topics directly from the mountain.

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Why This Matters

As the globe faces enormous problems, Davos 2025 presents an important platform for collaborative solutions. Whether it's promoting diversity, tackling global dangers, or honoring cultural creativity, Day 1 sets the tone for an inspiring and meaningful week.

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