On Monday, WEF said it would defer the gathering of influential global business and political heads from the planned date in January to an undefined time in early summer.
WEF organisers said the spread of the Omicron variant made it “extremely difficult to deliver a global in-person meeting” and had decided to defer the event following advice from the Swiss authorities.
The flagship meeting, which regularly assembles 3,000 decision-makers from politics, business, civil society and culture, was cancelled last year after plans to move it to Singapore proved unworkable.
In September, WEF announced that the annual meeting would return to its traditional home of Davos from January 17-21. But the subsequent spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant has put paid to these plans.
WEF has not given a precise date or location for moving the event this year.
“The deferral of the Annual Meeting will not prevent progress through continued digital convening of leaders from business, government and civil society,” said WEF founder Klaus Schwab in a statementExternal link. “Public-private cooperation has moved forward throughout the pandemic and that will continue apace. We look forward to bringing global leaders together in person soon.”
The move will again be a blow to the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos that relies on the annual gathering each year to boost its economy.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
Sharp hike in number of protected historic monuments in Switzerland
This content was published on
In 2022, there were close to 91,000 protected historic monuments in Switzerland, 21% more than in 2016, said the Federal Statistical Office.
Switzerland adopts further EU sanctions against Russia
This content was published on
Switzerland has added several dozen names to its list of sanctioned persons or entities from Russia after adopting the amendments made by the European Union.
Snowfall causes travel restrictions in much of Switzerland
This content was published on
Heavy snowfall in several regions of Switzerland caused restrictions in road and rail traffic on Monday morning, though conditions eased by the afternoon.
Swiss major-general named acting head of UN observer force in Golan Heights
This content was published on
Major-General Patrick Gauchat has been appointed acting head of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.
Accidents up sharply among older skiers in Switzerland
This content was published on
People over the age of 40 account for more than half of all ski injuries in Switzerland, a new study by insurance firm Suva shows.
Switzerland proposes strengthening rights of people with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss government is proposing a package of new legislative measures to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of life.
This content was published on
The Swiss artist Kurt Laurenz Metzler, known for his colorful sculptures made of fiberglass and polyester, has died in Zurich at the age of 83.
Historic Swiss bathhouse on Lake Constance destroyed in a fire
This content was published on
In the northern Swiss town of Rorschach, the 100-year-old Badhütte (bathing hut) on the shores of Lake Constance burned down early Monday morning.
Trump picks Callista Gingrich as ambassador to Switzerland
This content was published on
Incoming United States president Donald Trump has named Callista Gingrich as the next ambassador to Switzerland. Gingrich was posted to the Vatican under Trump's previous term.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
WEF set to return to Davos in 2022
This content was published on
Next year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is to take place in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos again.
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum will resume its flagship annual meeting in its traditional Davos venue from January 17-21, 2022.
Government reduces WEF security budget amid criticism
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum Foundation has decided to assume more of the security costs for its annual event in the Alpine resort town of Davos.
This content was published on
An open doors event to coincide with the 2022 World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos has been called off due to threats.
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been forced to cancel its flagship annual meeting that was due to be staged in Singapore this summer.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.