World Economic Forum Annual Annual Meeting 2024 begins amid growing concerns over conflicts, climate change, deepfakes

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos begins with an opening concert dedicated to climate change.

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 began in Davos on January 15 evening with an opening concert dedicated to the Sahara desert and Amazon rainforest amid growing concerns among world leaders over climate change, conflicts and misinformation.

While the sessions and panel discussions would begin on Jan. 16, the opening ceremony saw the annual Crystal Awards being presented to three artists -- architect Diebedo Francis Kere, actor Michelle Yeoh and guitarist Nile Rodgers.

Calling the three awardees bridge-builders, the WEF said they connect us to each other, they help us reflect on the human condition, and they provide visions of the world that can cut through the limitations of short term or linear thinking.

Mr. Kere, a native of Burkina Faso, was given the award for his exemplary leadership in providing the Gando community with a means towards a socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable future through projects that focus on education, health and the environment. "I have witnessed the power of architecture as a tool for social transformation, from laying the bricks for a school building in my native Gando, to designing a new National Parliament for Benin. Regardless of wealth, we must be conscious of our environmental impact and strive to bring comfort and a sustainable future to all," he said.

Ms. Yeoh made history by becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The internationally acclaimed actor has starred in over 60 films, including James Bond's Tomorrow Never Dies, Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, Sunshine, The Lady, Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and sci-fi franchise TV series Star Trek: Discovery.

Through her works, she has challenged the traditional views of Asian women by creating very strong female roles. "Our true identity as human beings lies not in our differences but in our collective ability to embrace and include every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs. It is through this acceptance and unity that we uncover the essence of our shared humanity," she said.

Raising awareness about wildlife conservation and climate change, she travelled to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China to help launch the Pandas for the Global Goals campaign in 2016. She collaborated with National Geographic to produce the documentary Among the Great Apes with Michelle Yeoh while emphasising the importance of responsible consumerism and ethical business practices. Her recent appointment as a member of the International Olympic Committee in October 2023 has endowed her with the power to promote global understanding and goodwill through sports.