Davos 2023: What you need to know about the WEF on Wednesday
The Hindu
The focus on Wednesday was on climate change, Greta Thunberg’s imminent arrival, and the war in Ukraine, with President Zelenskyy asking on a video link for faster supplies of tanks and air defence units
Climate change came to the fore at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, where U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on business leaders to follow the principles outlined by an expert group to make credible net-zero pledges or risk greenwashing.
The United Nations and standard setter the International Organization for Standardization launched the guidelines in November to become a reference text and help organizations come up with solid plans, avoiding slogans, hype and obfuscation.
With activist Greta Thunberg set to arrive in Davos and meet International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol on Thursday, climate change is set to remain centre stage.
The other focus on Wednesday was Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling WEF delegates by video link that Western supplies of tanks and air defence units should come more quickly and be delivered faster than Russia was able to carry out its own attacks.
Zelenskyy was speaking before Western allies meet at the Ramstein air base in Germany on Friday with the focus on whether Berlin will allow its Leopard battle tanks to be supplied to Kyiv to help drive out Russian forces.
After China's Vice-Premier Liu He on Tuesday welcomed foreign investment and declared his country open to the world after three years of pandemic isolation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath hailed it as a positive sign.
China could see a sharp recovery in economic growth from the second quarter onwards based on current infection trends after the dismantling of most COVID-19 restrictions, Gopinath said.
A JetBlue flight near Venezuela narrowly avoids a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force tanker, raising safety concerns.
A tragic school bus accident in Colombia kills 17 students and injures 20 during a graduation trip.
Police identify father and son as perpetrators of Bondi Beach mass shooting, Australia's deadliest gun violence incident in decades.
Sri Lanka's parliament convenes urgently to expedite cyclone recovery aid following devastating floods and landslides, impacting millions.
A Syrian security forces member, set to be fired for extremism, killed three Americans in a recent terrorist attack.
Pakistan security forces kill three TTP terrorists in Bajaur, seizing weapons during an operation near the Pak-Afghan border.
Zelenskyy visits Berlin for crucial talks with U.S. envoys and European leaders, seeking support to freeze Ukraine's front line.
Police apprehend a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, which tragically left two students dead and nine injured.
Hamas negotiator warns Israel's killing of a senior commander jeopardizes the ceasefire established in October, urging U.S. intervention.
Thailand reports its first civilian death from Cambodian rocket fire amid ongoing border conflict, escalating tensions and casualties on both sides.
Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, disbands after over 30 years of activism amid political repression.
Two people are in custody after gunfire reports at Bondi Beach, prompting police to urge the public to avoid the area.
Thailand imposes a curfew amid escalating border conflicts with Cambodia, following failed peace talks and ongoing military operations.