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Singapore to host World Economic Forum meeting in May 2021 in place of Switzerland
SINGAPORE — Singapore will be hosting the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Annual Meeting in place of Davos, Switzerland, from 13 to 16 May 2021, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Europe.
In a media release on Monday (7 December), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said that the meeting will bring together the world’s top leaders in government, business and academia to address some of the more pressing issues facing the world.
“It aims to galvanise action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and facilitate discussions on technology and trade governance,” said the ministry.
“For the first time, the Special Annual Meeting will also comprise a virtual component to allow greater participation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Second time event held outside Switzerland
This is the second time the WEF Special Annual Meeting will be held outside of Switzerland since its establishment in 1971 and the first time it will be held in Asia. The 2002 edition was held in New York to show solidarity with the United States following the 11 September attacks in 2001.
WEF released a media statement on its official website saying that the change in location reflects its priority of safeguarding the health and safety of participants and the host community.
“After careful consideration, and in light of the current situation with regards to COVID-19 cases, it was decided that Singapore was best placed to hold the meeting,” it said in the statement.
WEF added that the Singapore event will be “the first global leadership event to address worldwide recovery from the pandemic”.
“A global leadership summit is of crucial importance to address how we can recover together,” WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab said. “Public-private cooperation is needed more than ever to rebuild trust and address the fault lines that emerged in 2020.”
WEF said that it will hold a virtual event during its traditional “Davos week” from 25 to 29 January next year. It will also host a global technology governance summit in Tokyo in April.
Event reflects confidence in Singapore’s pandemic management: MTI
MTI said in its media release that WEF’s decision to hold its Special Annual Meeting in Singapore reflects its confidence in the country’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic thus far.
“The hosting of WEF’s Special Annual Meeting will have a positive impact on Singapore’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) sector and adjacent sectors such as hospitality,” said the ministry.
“Singapore has successfully prototyped new protocols at large-scale meetings and conferences such as the Singapore International Energy Week 2020 and TravelRevive 2020. These protocols include safe management measures such as on-arrival tests, pre-event and periodic antigen testing, as well as contact tracing of attendees.
“All international conferences held in Singapore will similarly adhere to strict public health and safety measures.”
Trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing added in the media release that WEF’s decision to hold the Special Annual Meeting in Singapore is an “affirmation of Singapore’s ability to provide a safe, neutral and conducive venue for global leaders to meet.
“Despite the ongoing pandemic, we are confident that Singapore will be able to continue maintaining public health and safety while supporting the WEF’s mission to effect positive change through collaboration and engagement,” he said.
Further details on the event will be announced in due course, said WEF.
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