Davos: The 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, commencing from January 15 to January 19, 2024, in Davos, Switzerland, shines a spotlight on India under the overarching theme of “Building Trust.” Aligned with India’s vision for growth, carbon neutrality, sustainability, and a robust economy, the WEF workstreams reflect India’s commitment to the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The World Is One Family,” a philosophy championed during India’s G20 Presidency.
Led by Smt Smriti Irani, Hon’ble Minister of Women & Child Development, the Indian Government delegation includes Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Housing & Urban Affairs, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & IT, and Sh RK Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The delegation will actively participate in various sessions covering critical topics such as Education, Biofuels, Gender gaps, Renewables, Semiconductors, and Manufacturing.
India’s prominent presence at Davos is marked by four dedicated spaces, each aimed at showcasing the India Opportunity and unfolding its Growth Story:
- India Engagement Centre: Unfolding India’s growth narrative, this lounge showcases its digital public infrastructure, vibrant startup ecosystem, and burgeoning energy sector. Fireside chats on globally significant pillars enrich the dialogue.
- Experience India Centre: This lounge unveils the technological leaps powered by New India, commitments to sustainability and inclusivity along with its vibrant culture.
- India Investment Centre: Serving as the center for Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B) networking, this space hosts roundtables, sessions, and panels on leading topics.
- We Lead Lounge: A dedicated gender lounge focusing on women’s participation in various walks of life, financial inclusion, and bridging the digital gender gap.
The India centres kicked off with a compelling panel discussion on “Beyond Borders: India’s Impact on the World Stage.” This cornerstone event explored India’s evolving role in the global landscape, providing insights that resonate beyond geographical borders.
The India Engagement Centre also hosted the briefing of the India delegation, attended by Indian business leaders and industry chambers present in Davos. The India Centres continue to serve as catalysts for meaningful dialogues and initiatives, solidifying their role as pivotal hubs for fostering collaboration and business cooperation on international fronts.
At WEF, a total of 21 sessions will be held over five days, showcasing India’s opportunities and opening doors for discussions on Manufacturing, Technology, Gender-based impacts, Sustainability, Mobility, Startups, Healthcare, AI, and more.
In addition to the India Lounges, five State Lounges from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh underline India’s consolidated and prominent role at WEF, fostering collaboration and discourse on a global scale.
With over 80 Indian business representatives and various Indian companies establishing their presence through Lounges, India’s participation at WEF signifies its resilience as a global economy and a preferred investment destination.