World Economic Forum says 'will defer' Davos meeting over Omicron fears
The World Economic Forum (WEF) said
Monday it "will defer its annual meeting in Davos. in the light of
continued uncertainty over the Omicron" variant of coronavirus.
The high-powered meeting scheduled
for January 17-21, which usually draws leading figures from business, politics
and diplomacy, will instead be held in "early summer", the organisers
said. Last year's edition was cancelled because of the pandemic and Swiss
authorities have recently stepped up health restrictions sharply to control a
fifth coronavirus wave.
"Despite the meeting's
stringent health protocols, the transmissibility of Omicron and its impact on
travel and mobility have made deferral necessary," the WEF said. The body
will instead organise online "State of the World" sessions to get
global leaders talking.
Forum chief Klaus Schwab promised
"continued digital convening of leaders from business, government and
civil society".
"We look forward to bringing
leaders together in person soon," he added. The Davos meeting in January
2021, held virtually because of the pandemic, came at the height of wrangles
over vaccine distribution between wealthy and worse-off countries and the
manufacturers.