Notes from Davos

The first day of the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Meeting began with the Alpine sunshine casting a golden glow over the snow-lined Promenade in Davos. By day two, the temperatures dipped further, but the bustling energy on the streets stayed undeterred.

WEF 2025: Collaboration for the Intelligent Age

This year’s theme, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, feels tailor-made for India. As the fastest growing economy, India is setting benchmarks in areas like digital transformation, renewable energy, and innovation. From transforming global fintech, green hydrogen leading the clean energy transition, and leading discussions at global fora such as G20 and QUAD, India’s story aligns perfectly with the five interconnected priorities for WEF – Rebuilding Trust, Reimagining Growth, Safeguarding the Planet, Investing in People, and Industries in the Intelligent Age.

India Delegation and CII at Davos:

India’s delegation is impactful, with four Union Cabinet Ministers and two Ministers of State and a strong presence of States, led by the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

For over four decades, CII has proudly carried the Indian flag at Davos, showcasing the nation’s and India Inc’s evolving story on this global stage. Aligned to this year’s WEE agenda, the curtains were also raised on CIl’s theme of “Partner with India Inc.: Subscribe to the Future”. There is a strong India Inc. presence with over 80 industry leaders from across sectors and scale.

WEF 2025 initial highlights:

As I walked into the Congress Centre for my meetings, it was equally abuzz, kicking off with the Crystal Awards and the opening concert. During the day, the centre witnessed parleys on geoeconomics, reimagining growth, and mapping productivity solutions.

A notable highlight was the focus on rebuilding trust amid geopolitical tensions and policy shifts as US withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement and the establishment of an “External Revenue Service”. Safeguarding the Planet was a recurring theme as well. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared, “The world is undergoing an energy transition that is unstoppable.” India’s leadership in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable living through Mission LiFE mirrors this sentiment which echoed on the streets of Promenade.

India taking centre stage at WEF 2025:

Walking back through the snow-laden streets, one thing was clear – India isn’t just participating in Davos 2025, it is taking centre stage, redefining what collaboration in the Intelligent Age looks like – and perhaps converting a few delegates into chai enthusiasts along the way at the India Lounges – perfect places for an “India Adda”.

This first appeared in The Hindu dated January 22, 2025.