The World Economic Forum (WEF) will convene its Special Annual Meeting in Singapore next year from May 13-16.
The event will be the first global leadership event to address worldwide recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, said WEF in a press release.
Usually held annually in Davos, Switzerland, WEF decided that Singapore was best placed to hold the meeting, and the change in location reflects the Forum’s priority of safeguarding the health and safety of participants and the host community.
In another press release, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said WEF’s decision in location reflects the confidence in the country’s management of the pandemic thus far. The hosting of this event will have a positive trickle-down effect on the country’s MICE and hospitality sectors.
This is the second time the WEF Special Annual Meeting will be held outside of Switzerland since its establishment in 1971, and the first time it will be held in Asia.
Founder and executive chairman of WEF Klaus Schwab said a global leadership summit is of “crucial importance to address how we can recover together”.
He added that the Special Annual Meeting 2021 would be a place for leaders from business, government, and civil society to meet in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
WEF will also hold a virtual event from January 25-29, 2021, during the usual Davos week.
It will feature participation from heads of state and government, chief executive officers, civil society leaders, global media and youth leaders from across the globe.
