WEF meeting 2025 in Davos: These are the topics and their goal
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has presented a program for the 20-24 January 2025 meeting, entitled Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, which is divided into five central themes: “rebuilding trust”, “reimagining growth”, “investing in people”, “protecting the planet” and “industries in the intelligent age”. At first glance, this may sound like a vision for a fairer and more sustainable future. But a closer look reveals links to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda which raise questions about the actual objectives and possible consolidation of power.
Hidden Agenda Behind Pleasant-Sounding Topics
1. “Rebuilding Trust”
The WEF emphasizes the need to restore trust between states, companies and society. This fits with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, in particular SDG 16 (Sustainable Development Goal): “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, which calls for strengthening institutional structures and social cohesion.
Criticism:
Who destroyed this trust? Often it is the same political and economic actors who are now presenting themselves as problem solvers. Instead of real reforms, this could be an attempt to control public perception and consolidate existing power structures under the guise of cooperation.
2. “Reimagining Growth”
The idea of making economic growth sustainable and inclusive correlates directly with SDG 8 (“Decent work and economic growth”). The WEF emphasizes technological innovations and new sources of growth in a globalized economy.
Criticism:
Instead of promoting real social justice, the “new growth” could in reality lead to corporations and economic elites expanding their dominance through access to key technologies and markets. Rethinking growth should not mean centralizing economic power even more.
3. “Investing in People”
Education, retraining and building human capital are central elements of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 4 and SDG 8). The WEF calls for investments in workers to make them fit for the technologically dominated future.
Criticism:
The supposed support of the workforce could in fact serve to adapt it to the needs of global corporations. Control of education and retraining programs by private actors carries the risk that people become dependent on these structures instead of being given real choices.
4. Safeguarding the Planet
The theme of sustainability is in line with SDG 13 (“Climate Action”) and SDG 15 (“Life on Land”). The WEF aims to achieve progress through innovative partnerships and cutting-edge technologies.
Criticism:
Sustainability is presented here primarily as a business area from which large companies can profit. The focus is on technology-driven solutions, while the actual causes of the climate crisis – resource exploitation and excessive consumption or militarization – are hardly addressed. There is a danger that climate protection measures will be misused as a tool for the economy and to control citizens.
5. “Industries in the Intelligent Age”
The transformation of industries through AI and automation is presented as necessary to achieve short- and long-term goals. This is in line with SDG 9 (“Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”).
Criticism:
The social dimension of this transformation is hardly mentioned. Automation and AI lead to job losses and social inequality, which are not adequately addressed by the proposed measures. Instead, corporations could further expand their control over industries and use innovations exclusively in their own interests.
Connection to Agenda 2030: A tool of those in power instead of progress for citizens?
The 2030 Agenda may officially aim for sustainability, social justice and global cooperation, but the WEF’s role in its implementation raises significant questions. Since the WEF was not elected by anyone and yet has significant influence on political and economic decisions worldwide, it is more a tool of the global elites than an instrument for the interests of ordinary citizens.
The proposed measures – from climate protection to digitalization to economic growth – seem to be primarily aimed at securing the power and influence of a small, privileged group. The interests of the wider population are often only addressed symbolically or superficially, while key decisions are made behind closed doors by unelected actors.
Critics argue that the WEF is not a platform for progress for all, but a mechanism to centralize technological innovation and economic resources in the hands of a few. Under the guise of “progress,” the WEF strengthens political and economic control in favor of the powerful and at the expense of democratic participation.
Conclusion: Cooperation or expansion of power?
The WEF 2025 program fits perfectly with the 2030 Agenda, but the question remains whether it is really about global justice and sustainability or whether it serves as a tool to further concentrate power and control in the hands of a few. The good-sounding topics mask many risks, such as increasing centralization, dependence on corporations and technological solutions that are not accessible to all.
Society should critically question whether these programs actually serve the needs of the majority or whether they contribute to further cementing existing inequalities – all under the banner of “collaboration in the intelligent age”.
yogaesoteric
January 22, 2025