The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, calling for global cooperation amid global uncertainty.
Themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," the five-day event brings together nearly 3,000 participants from various regions and industries to discuss issues across five pivotal areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust.
Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the WEF, said the meeting will foster closer international cooperation to shape the forthcoming intelligent age in a more sustainable and inclusive way in the face of multiple challenges in the intelligent era.
WEF managing director Jeremy Jurgens said many parties are looking forward to cooperating with China, which is playing an active role in sustainable development.
"Countries' leaders, many companies' leaders, are actually looking forward to interacting and collaborating with the Chinese, and seeing how we do this. I think actually also China should be recognized for the really positive role it's taken in the sustainability domain. If you look at the growth in the renewable sector, and solar, in batteries, electrical vehicles, these are really strong foundational points that China can actually help bring to the international community to help us collectively address this whole safeguarding the planet," said Jurgens.
World Economic Forum annual meeting calls for closer collaboration in intelligent age
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
