[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – The World Economic Forum (WEF) postponed its special annual meeting in Singapore from May to August, due to the global Covid-19 situation.
The meeting will now take place from August 17 to 20, the WEF said in a statement on Wednesday (February 3) evening.
Although the WEF and the Government of Singapore continue to rely on the measures in place to ensure a safe and efficient meeting, and local transmission of Covid-19 in Singapore remains negligible, the change in the meeting schedule reflects the challenges. to contain the pandemic, “the organization said.
He noted that current global travel restrictions have made it difficult to plan an in-person meeting during the first half of the year.
“In addition, different air transport and quarantine regulations have increased the waiting time required to ensure that global participants can make arrangements to join,” he said.
In response to inquiries, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the government understands the challenges facing the WEF and has agreed to rescheduling.
“We will continue to work closely with the World Economic Forum to organize a safe and successful special annual meeting in Singapore,” added the MTI.
The annual meeting, which brings together top political, business and academic leaders to discuss pressing global issues, has traditionally been held in Davos, Switzerland, at the end of January.
But the pandemic meant that this year’s edition would take place in Singapore from May 13-16. This was subsequently postponed to May 25-28.
The WEF said the 2021 meeting in Singapore will be the first global leadership summit to address the challenges of recovering from the pandemic and laying the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable world.
“It will bring leaders face to face to focus on shaping solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time,” he added.
WEF founder and CEO Klaus Schwab encouraged global stakeholders to participate in the August summit in Wednesday’s statement.
“(The meeting) will provide the venue for leaders from business, government and civil society to come together to address steps for global recovery,” he said.
State Minister for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan had told Parliament in January that all WEF participants will have to meet strict public health requirements.
These include undergoing a rigorous Covid-19 testing regime that involves pre-departure and arrival testing, as well as adherence to strict secure management measures.
Speaking at the WEF Davos Agenda virtual event last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that the WEF plays an important role in promoting dialogue, as a forum where leaders of countries large and small alike can speak and be heard.
That is why Singapore agreed to host the special annual meeting of the WEF, he added. “It is not a decision taken lightly, but we are happy to make a modest contribution to the global debate.”
As the host country, Singapore will work with the WEF to ensure everyone’s health and safety, he said.
The meeting saw some 3,000 participants gather in Davos last January. The WEF has said that the Singapore meeting would be a hybrid conference, with some joining virtually.
Although the number of people expected at the meeting has not been confirmed, The Business Times has reported that the WEF is aiming to attract around 1,000 delegates and intends to host the event at the Marina Bay Sands complex.
[ad_2]
