The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, set to begin in Davos, Switzerland, from today, will kick-off on a musical note instead of lengthy speeches or policy briefs.
The opening night in the freezing environs of the Swiss Alps will feature a concert by the Mahler Chamber Orchestra along with performances by renowned violinist Renaud Capuco and Grammy-winner Jon Batiste, who is known for blending different music styles, including jazz, soul, classical, and gospel, according to the official website of the WEF. Additionally, artist and technologist Ronen Tanchum will present a digital visual display that changes with the music in real time.
The concert will also combine classical music with modern digital visuals, with the orchestra’s performance to be matched with AI-based images on a large screen behind the musicians – visuals that will respond to the sound and rhythm of the music.
The mood will then transition to discussions on global issues such as the economy, technology, and world politics. The meeting’s theme this year is ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, to encourage leaders, experts, and business heads to listen to each other before participating in debates and meetings. The 2026 Annual Meeting, which begins on Monday, will focus on global cooperation at a time when many countries are facing tension and rapid technological change.
The WEF’s five-day extravaganza snow-clad skiing resort town is set to bring together at least 64 heads of state, 400 ministers, business leaders, scientists, and civil society members from around the world. More than 5,000 armed forces personnel, snipers at vantage points, AI-powered drones and special tools to counter spywares and espionage are set to secure the premises like never before.
There will also be in attendance over a thousand CEOs, members of civil society, labour representatives, faith-based organisations, cultural luminaries and social entrepreneurs, as well as academics, experts and think tanks.
Top leaders invited include US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Heads of international organisations taking part include the chiefs of the United Nations, WTO, World Bank, IMF, NATO, WHO, UNDP, OECD, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
More than 500 journalists have also converged at the town to cover the event.
Security agencies are keeping an eye out for planned protests, including those by anti-capitalist and environmental activists. Swiss government said authorities are willing to authorise demonstrations, but only if requirements to protect people, infrastructure and property are respected. Detailed arrangements on a demonstration need to be made between the organisers and authorities, failing which the authorities will take necessary measures to ensure the security and freedom of movement of residents and guests, while adhering to the principle of proportionality.
“Those who commit criminal offences will be prosecuted,” the government said.
The government has already imposed security restrictions on the airspace over Davos to safeguard air sovereignty. In addition, helicopter traffic to Davos has to be controlled during the WEF Annual Meeting. The restrictions also apply to paragliders, drones, model aircraft, etc.
According to the Swiss government, the additional costs for security at the WEF Annual Meeting 2026 are estimated at around CHF 9 million overall. Deployments of armed forces for the meeting have an annual budget of CHF 32 million, although deployment costs in recent years have been under budget (CHF 26.84 million in 2024 and CHF 24.64 million in 2025).
A number of agencies from the federal government, the canton and the commune of Davos work together with the WEF for security. The Graubunden cantonal police and its partners ensure the security of visitors to the WEF Annual Meeting, the local population and guests.
The Swiss federal government, together with the WEF Foundation and its other partners (Canton of Graubunden, commune of Davos), will contribute to the costs of WEF Annual Meeting security measures for the period 2025-2027 as part of a three-tier finance model.
While WEF bears 50 per cent of the cost, the federal government 25 per cent, the Canton of Graubunden 21.67 per cent and Davos 3.33 per cent, while Klosters will contribute CHF 1,00,000 towards Davos’s share of the costs.
