Winter Davos Forum kicks off with aim to solve global problems

This year's World Economic Forum annual winter meeting is underway in Davos, Switzerland.

The resort town of Davos is currently trying to dig its way out of the worst snow storm it has suffered in the past two decades, which has paralyzed traffic.

Despite this, more than 3,000 people from around the world have managed to make their way to the town to take part in the winter session of the Davos Forum.

Participants are discussing issues including global governance, economy, new technologies, as well as environmental protection.

Andrew Wilson is the executive director of the US-based Center for International Private Enterprise.

He says that public-private cooperation and new technologies are the highlights of the discussions.

"I think one of the interesting things about this year's meeting is how the business community and governments and civil society can try to partner because of globalization. There will be a new whole space for small business, microenterprises. I think what's exciting is also the focus on technology, and I think that will help build more inclusiveness. It's the very spirit of Davos," said Wilson.

Established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation, the 48-year-old World Economic Forum has become an international organization committed to improving the state of the world.

People walk at the venue of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 22, 2018. [Photo: China Plus]

The theme of this year's meeting is "Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World."

It comes amid a backdrop of increased global divisions in the past year.

Tracy Crawford is an organizer of this year's event. 

"My understanding with Davos and the World Economic Forum is what we're really trying to do is to look at the shared future where all humanity is in it together. So we're solving economic problems over all with connecting with other people to solve economic problems, to solve refugee problems, to solve hunger problems. So what I'm looking at Davos is that we're bringing people together to solve problems in different ways," said Crawford.

Patrick Youssef with the International Red Cross says the forum provides opportunities for humanitarian organizations to try to drum up more support.

"It is not only about business people, it is also about organizations want to do good, and there is a need for partners. One hand cannot stand by itself, you really need to have combined approaches to solve these problems. This is where I think humanitarian sectors have something to play," said Youssef.

Liu He, director of China's General Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, is attending the sessions in Davos, along with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Around 70 world leaders are attending the Winter Davos Forum, including US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Teresa May and German chancellor Angela Merkel.