Following a year marked by over 70 elections, which introduced a wave of fresh political faces, the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting provides a vital platform for business leaders to connect with new policymakers and reinforce relationships with established contacts.

Davos remains a critical space to engage meaningfully with this shifting landscape. The convergence of geopolitical, technological, and economic debates ensures that the platform is not only a meeting of minds but also a forum where strategies for navigating uncertainty can emerge.

The overarching theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age takes on even greater significance in a world grappling with chaos and transition. With geopolitical shocks and a fractured global order shaping the current landscape, the rebuilding of trust and a renewed commitment to multilateral collaboration have become centre stage. Yet, these lofty ideals must contend with the realities of transactional diplomacy, rising protectionism, and the erosion of traditional alliances.

The return of Donald Trump and the growing influence of Elon Musk—whose stewardship of X gives him disproportionate power among the political and journalistic elite—add new layers of unpredictability. Leaders will likely use the forum to call for unity and the preservation of free trade, but as they return to their capitals, the forces of self-preservation and domestic interests may ultimately prevail.

Let’s face it: this is not business as usual. We are barely into the new year, and we’ve already seen the British Prime Minister trolled by the world’s richest man, Greenland’s sovereignty discussed as though it’s a company up for acquisition, and Canada grappling with unease as its border is dismissed as “invisible.” Meanwhile, Europe’s democracies face meddling, with the wealthiest tech mogul cosying up to far-right parties in Germany and the UK.

Davos 2025 is poised to be more than a talking shop for world leaders—it’s likely to serve as a support group for leaders operating under a siege mentality. With the theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, this year’s gathering will emphasise rebuilding trust and fostering collaboration amidst geopolitical shocks and the erosion of the rules-based order. These ideals, while noble, face daunting odds as transactional diplomacy and protectionist policies take precedence globally.

The growing influence of Elon Musk and his platform, X, further complicates matters. Despite having fewer users than other platforms, its core audience of politicians and journalists grants it an outsized impact on global discourse. His increasingly public forays into European politics and alliances with far-right movements highlight the unsettling convergence of unelected tech power and democratic governance.

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