Donald Trump to headline Davos summit as Iran drops out following shooting down of Ukraine plane and assassination of Qassem Soleimani
- Foreign Minister Javad Zarif cancels his visit amid spike in global tensions following US drone strike that Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani
- Notable attendees include climate activist Greta Thunberg, Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
US President Donald Trump will headline this year’s Davos forum, which will focus on the situation in the Middle East, as well as on the fallout of climate change and a more inclusive model of capitalism, organisers said on Tuesday.
The annual gathering of global movers and shakers in the village of Davos in the Swiss Alps will draw a total of 53 heads of government and state for four days starting on January 21.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who had been expected to attend, cancelled his visit amid a spike in global tensions following a US drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani.
The 50th edition of the Davos Forum will have more than 2,800 participants, including Swedish teenage eco-warrior Greta Thunberg, who will renew her call on attendees to stop subsidising fossil fuels.
“We demand that leaders play their part in putting an end to this madness,” the 17-year-old, who is also expected to take part in protests outside the summit, wrote in The Guardian.
