Reflecting its ongoing dialogue with the Davos community and the evolving impact of Annual Meeting week on the city of Davos, the World Economic Forum has decided to discontinue the Open Forum Davos.
Since its launch in 2003, the Open Forum Davos has served as a public platform of the Annual Meeting, for diverse voices to exchange perspectives, foster dialogue and strengthen transparency between global leaders and the public. Across 23 editions and more than 230 public sessions, the Open Forum Davos has consistently fostered high-quality discussions, meaningful public engagement, inclusion and dialogue between global leaders and the public. Over the past two decades, speakers have ranged from the President of the Swiss Confederation to the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers, US ballerina Misty Copeland, British primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall and Nobel Prize winners Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi.
The environment surrounding the Annual Meeting has evolved over time. The number of events and activities taking place across Davos during the Annual Meeting week has grown increasing pressure on the town and its local infrastructure.
The World Economic Forum and the Municipality of Davos share a responsibility of managing the Meeting's overall footprint and ensuring that its impact on residents and the wider community remains manageable.
At the same time, public engagement with the Annual Meeting has changed. Digital channels, including livestreams and social media, now provide broader and more accessible opportunities to follow the Meeting and participate in the discussions.
The World Economic Forum will continue its dialogue and engagement with the Davos community. In addition to the raffle for a one-day badge granting access to the Congress Centre for locals from Davos-Klosters, the World Economic Forum is exploring further opportunities to strengthen the public and enhance local involvement during the Annual Meeting and beyond.
To learn more about the history of the Open Forum Davos and its contribution to dialogue and public engagement over the past two decades, visit the blog: What is the Open Forum at Davos and what impact has it had?
