Over two thousand business and political leaders from all over the world have arrived in Switzerland's city of Davos for the 2005 annual World Economic Forum. During five days, they will discuss issues ranging from China's economic power to Iraq's future. Unlike previous years, protests against the WEF are expected to be muted. Anti-globalisation campaigners have called off a demonstration planned for the weekend. The Brazilian city of Porto Alegre will host the rival World Social Forum, timed to run in parallel with the WEF's ritzier event in Davos. The organisers of the Brazilian gathering, which brings together thousands of campaigners against globalisation, for fair trade, and many other causes, have promised to set an alternative agenda to that of the Swiss summit. Many of the issues discussed in Porto Alegre are also Davos talking points.
"Global warming" features particularly high. WEF participants are being asked to offset the carbon emissions they cause by travelling to the event. In Davos the snow is piled high across the mountain, and at night the wind chill takes temperatures down to minus 20C and less. Ultimately, the forum will be dominated by business issues - from outsourcing to corporate leadership - with bosses of more than 20% of the world's 500 largest companies scheduled to attend. Much of the media focus will be on the political leaders coming to Davos, because the agenda of this year's forum seems to lack an overarching theme. "Taking responsibility for tough choices" is this year's official talking point, hinting at a welter of knotty problems. Transatlantic disagreements over how to deal with Iran, Iraq and China are set to dominate discussions. One senior official from President Bush's new administration is scheduled to attend. The US government may still make a conciliatory gesture, just as happened a year ago when Vice President Dick Cheney made a surprise appearance in Davos. Ukraine's new president, Viktor Yushchenko, is to speak, just days after his inauguration, an event that crowned the civil protests against the rigged first election that had tried to keep him from power. The European Union's top leaders, among them German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, European Commission President Manuel Barosso and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as well as South African President Thabo Mbekiwill will be here too. Mr Blair will formally open the proceedings, although his speech will be pre-empted by French President Jacques Chirac, who announced his attendance at the last minute and secured a slot for a "special message" two hours before Mr Blair speaks. The organisers hope that the new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, will use the opportunity for talks with at least one of the three Israeli deputy prime ministers coming to the event, a list that includes Shimon Peres. Davos fans still hark back to 1994, when talks between Yassir Arafat and Mr Peres came close to a peace deal. Tony Blair's appearance will be keenly watched, as political observers in the UK claim it is a calculated snub against political rival Chancellor Gordon Brown, who was supposed to lead the UK government delegation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the world's richest man and a regular at Davos, will focus on campaigning for good causes, though business interests will be present. Having already donated billions of dollars to the fight against Aids and Malaria, Bill Gates will call on world leaders to support a global vaccination campaign to protect children in developing countries from easily preventable diseases. On Tuesday he pledged $750m of his own money to support the cause. Microsoft hopes to use Davos to shore up its defences against open source software like Linux, which threaten Microsoft's near monopoly on computer desktops. Bill Gates is said to be trying to arrange a meeting with Brazil's President Lula da Silva. The Brazilian government has plans to switch all government computers from Microsoft to Linux. At Davos, global problem solving and networking are never far apart.
Full Version: World leaders gather to face uncertainty
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Response to criticisms of U.S. policy from the WEF Blog
I come away from my first panel participation struck by a duality I often experience at international forums. I am very critical of much of American policy under President Bush, both foreign and domestic. In answer to the first questions posed, I voiced these criticisms. I was pleased to have the chance to point out the enormous disparity between the President's inaugural rhetoric and the policy over which he presides. I can think of no country - literally - that has made promotion of democracy or freedom the main part of policy, or even an important one.
Even in Afghanistan, we invaded - with my support - only after they refused to give up Osama. But as I listen to criticisms of the U.S. from some others, the degree to which I support American policy in the broadest sense, and the values I believe we embody, becomes clear to me intellectually and emotionally.
For example, when a Chinese representative essentially dismissed the notion that there are fundamental democratic precepts by which China's governance can be measured, and talked of an alternative form of democracy - apparently unlike any the world has ever known - I had to voice my complete skepticism and support for the western-type of democracy she denigrated.
Even more strikingly, when a British speaker expressed the idea that China and Iran were admirable countries as sources of regional stability, I had to ask her what countries she considered bad ones. When she responded with a list of negatively-rated nations consisting of Syria, Iraq and Israel, I was jolted by the gap that existed between me and someone whom I first saw as something of an ideological ally.
I am again struck at an international forum (as a man of the left politically) at the gap between me and other American liberals on the one hand and some none-Americans on the other. And I fear that they let disagreements with specific American policies - which I often share - become a platform for anti-American positions and positions of American allies, even when the left should be more supportive of these. While I disagree with some Israel policies as a man of the left, by every value that leads me to be in politics, Israel is by far the most admirable country in its region.
By U.S. Congressman Barney Frank
You may post your comments either here or in the WEF Forum Blog
I come away from my first panel participation struck by a duality I often experience at international forums. I am very critical of much of American policy under President Bush, both foreign and domestic. In answer to the first questions posed, I voiced these criticisms. I was pleased to have the chance to point out the enormous disparity between the President's inaugural rhetoric and the policy over which he presides. I can think of no country - literally - that has made promotion of democracy or freedom the main part of policy, or even an important one.
Even in Afghanistan, we invaded - with my support - only after they refused to give up Osama. But as I listen to criticisms of the U.S. from some others, the degree to which I support American policy in the broadest sense, and the values I believe we embody, becomes clear to me intellectually and emotionally.
For example, when a Chinese representative essentially dismissed the notion that there are fundamental democratic precepts by which China's governance can be measured, and talked of an alternative form of democracy - apparently unlike any the world has ever known - I had to voice my complete skepticism and support for the western-type of democracy she denigrated.
Even more strikingly, when a British speaker expressed the idea that China and Iran were admirable countries as sources of regional stability, I had to ask her what countries she considered bad ones. When she responded with a list of negatively-rated nations consisting of Syria, Iraq and Israel, I was jolted by the gap that existed between me and someone whom I first saw as something of an ideological ally.
I am again struck at an international forum (as a man of the left politically) at the gap between me and other American liberals on the one hand and some none-Americans on the other. And I fear that they let disagreements with specific American policies - which I often share - become a platform for anti-American positions and positions of American allies, even when the left should be more supportive of these. While I disagree with some Israel policies as a man of the left, by every value that leads me to be in politics, Israel is by far the most admirable country in its region.
By U.S. Congressman Barney Frank
You may post your comments either here or in the WEF Forum Blog
Blair asks for 'global consensus'
There is an "emerging consensus" on key issues such as climate change and poverty, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the World Economic Forum.
Mr Blair was giving the keynote speech on the first day of the Davos meeting to business and political leaders. He noted that consensus was emerging on issues such as terrorism and democracy as well as Africa and the Middle East. Also high on the first day's agenda was Aids, and the threat to the world economy from massive US deficits.
'Disputed'
Mr Blair used his speech to stress the themes he wants to highlight during the UK's chairmanship of the G7 group of industrialised countries this year. He warned that efforts to deal with global warming would fail if they demanded that governments take actions which seriously threatened their economic growth. And he noted that the evidence for global warming was "disputed", an acknowledgement of the US refusal to sign up to the Kyoto climate change deal. He praised US President George W Bush's recent inauguration speech for showing a "consistent evolution in US policy" by stressing freedom. "Freedom is good in itself, but it is also the best guarantee that human beings will live in sympathy with each other," he said.
Shortfall
Earlier on the first day, the conference had focused on Aids, with an update on efforts to get drugs to Aids sufferers warning of a $2bn shortfall in funding. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is aiming to have three million people on anti-Aids drugs by the end of 2005. More than 700,000 people in poor countries were now on life-extending drugs, the WHO said, up from 440,000 six months earlier. French President Jacques Chirac used a speech given over a video link to call for an international tax to fund the fight against Aids.
"It would allow us to mobilise $10bn a year," he said.
His proposal mooted either a levy on fuel for air and sea transport, a $1 tax on air tickets, or a tax on international financial transactions.
By the numbers
On the conference floor, the forum is usually dominated by business issues - from outsourcing to corporate leadership - with bosses of more than a fifth of the world's 500 largest companies scheduled to attend. Economics remains the focus, and several economists took the opportunity to warn that imbalances threatened global stability. The deficit both in the public purse and the overall economy in the US was a particular danger, said Jacob Frenkel, former Israeli central banker and current vice-chairman of insurer American International Group (AIG).
Call for action
But the political side of Davos continues to grab the headlines. Other issues to be discussed at the five-day conference range from China's economic power to Iraq's future after this Sunday's elections. More than 20 other world leaders are expected to attend. They include Ukraine's new president, Viktor Yushchenko, as well as newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and South African President Thabo Mbeki. Showbiz figures will also put in an appearance, from U2 frontman Bono - a well-known campaigner on trade and development issues - to Angelina Jolie, a goodwill campaigner for the UN on refugees. At the same time, about 100,000 people are expected to converge on the Brazilian resort of Porto Alegre for the World Social Forum - the so-called "anti-Davos" for campaigners against globalisation, for fair trade, and many other causes.
Story from BBC NEWS:
There is an "emerging consensus" on key issues such as climate change and poverty, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the World Economic Forum.
Mr Blair was giving the keynote speech on the first day of the Davos meeting to business and political leaders. He noted that consensus was emerging on issues such as terrorism and democracy as well as Africa and the Middle East. Also high on the first day's agenda was Aids, and the threat to the world economy from massive US deficits.
'Disputed'
Mr Blair used his speech to stress the themes he wants to highlight during the UK's chairmanship of the G7 group of industrialised countries this year. He warned that efforts to deal with global warming would fail if they demanded that governments take actions which seriously threatened their economic growth. And he noted that the evidence for global warming was "disputed", an acknowledgement of the US refusal to sign up to the Kyoto climate change deal. He praised US President George W Bush's recent inauguration speech for showing a "consistent evolution in US policy" by stressing freedom. "Freedom is good in itself, but it is also the best guarantee that human beings will live in sympathy with each other," he said.
Shortfall
Earlier on the first day, the conference had focused on Aids, with an update on efforts to get drugs to Aids sufferers warning of a $2bn shortfall in funding. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is aiming to have three million people on anti-Aids drugs by the end of 2005. More than 700,000 people in poor countries were now on life-extending drugs, the WHO said, up from 440,000 six months earlier. French President Jacques Chirac used a speech given over a video link to call for an international tax to fund the fight against Aids.
"It would allow us to mobilise $10bn a year," he said.
His proposal mooted either a levy on fuel for air and sea transport, a $1 tax on air tickets, or a tax on international financial transactions.
By the numbers
On the conference floor, the forum is usually dominated by business issues - from outsourcing to corporate leadership - with bosses of more than a fifth of the world's 500 largest companies scheduled to attend. Economics remains the focus, and several economists took the opportunity to warn that imbalances threatened global stability. The deficit both in the public purse and the overall economy in the US was a particular danger, said Jacob Frenkel, former Israeli central banker and current vice-chairman of insurer American International Group (AIG).
Call for action
But the political side of Davos continues to grab the headlines. Other issues to be discussed at the five-day conference range from China's economic power to Iraq's future after this Sunday's elections. More than 20 other world leaders are expected to attend. They include Ukraine's new president, Viktor Yushchenko, as well as newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and South African President Thabo Mbeki. Showbiz figures will also put in an appearance, from U2 frontman Bono - a well-known campaigner on trade and development issues - to Angelina Jolie, a goodwill campaigner for the UN on refugees. At the same time, about 100,000 people are expected to converge on the Brazilian resort of Porto Alegre for the World Social Forum - the so-called "anti-Davos" for campaigners against globalisation, for fair trade, and many other causes.
Story from BBC NEWS:
QUOTE
Earlier on the first day, the conference had focused on Aids, with an update on efforts to get drugs to Aids sufferers warning of a $2bn shortfall in funding. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is aiming to have three million people on anti-Aids drugs by the end of 2005. More than 700,000 people in poor countries were now on life-extending drugs, the WHO said, up from 440,000 six months earlier. French President Jacques Chirac used a speech given over a video link to call for an international tax to fund the fight against Aids.
People living with HIV
According to estimates from the UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update (December 2004), 37.2 million adults and 2.2 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2004. This is more than 50% higher than the figures projected by WHO in 1991 on the basis of the data then available.
Number of people infected during 2004, and the number of deaths
During 2004, some 4.9 million people became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
http://www.avert.org/worlstatinfo.htm
What is the point of the life-extending drugs? It merely enlarges the pool of those who are able to transmit the disease.
The money would be better spent on prevention...if that is possible...
Hi Karo,
The issue is very complexe and has to be organized from multiple angles:
The AIDS Debate
Aids group welcomes drug approval
It 's not mainly money that is the issue here but a problem of property rights and big profits of some big multinational pharmaceutical corporations. Anti AIDS drugs could be manufactured at a much less expensive level.
Regards
theglobalchinese
The issue is very complexe and has to be organized from multiple angles:
The AIDS Debate
Aids group welcomes drug approval
QUOTE
What is the point of the life-extending drugs? It merely enlarges the pool of those who are able to transmit the disease.
It 's not mainly money that is the issue here but a problem of property rights and big profits of some big multinational pharmaceutical corporations. Anti AIDS drugs could be manufactured at a much less expensive level.
Regards
theglobalchinese
World Economic Forum focuses on Africa's poor
Former President Bill Clinton on Thursday questioned the Bush administration's $80 billion request to finance the war in Iraq when "a pittance" of that amount would allow the United States to double its aid and help end massive poverty in Africa. Others at the World Economic Forum, including Microsoft chief Bill Gates and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, joined Clinton in urging rich countries to reach deeper into their pockets. "You want to go save 4 million lives?" Clinton asked. "Give them the medicine. It's not rocket science, and it's so cheap compared to everything else all these rich countries do." Meeting the U.N. goal of cutting global poverty in half by 2015 was a top issue, though Middle East peace, bioterrorism and oil prices shared the spotlight at the World Economic Forum's annual gathering of top business executives, politicians and social leaders. The panel attracting the biggest audience featured Clinton, Blair, Gates, the presidents of South Africa and Nigeria, and U2 rock star Bono discussing whether the seven wealthiest nations and Russia -- the G8 -- will take action to end poverty in Africa. A report to the United Nations this month concluded poverty can be cut in half by 2015 and eliminated by 2025 if the world's richest countries more than double aid to the poorest countries. At stake is life or death for tens of millions of people, it said. "We need this critical mass of resources to make a change, to make a difference," Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said. Gates, who has amassed an estimated $48 billion as founder of Microsoft Corp., said millions of children in Africa could be saved if there were enough resources. "The fact that we don't apply the resources to the known cures or to finding better cures is really ... the most scandalous issue of our time," he said.
Second day of World Economic Forum RTE Interactive
Forum tackles poverty in Africa Xinhua
World leaders pressure rich nations to save poor Africans Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription)
AllAfrica.com - Columbia Daily Tribune - all 162 related »
Former President Bill Clinton on Thursday questioned the Bush administration's $80 billion request to finance the war in Iraq when "a pittance" of that amount would allow the United States to double its aid and help end massive poverty in Africa. Others at the World Economic Forum, including Microsoft chief Bill Gates and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, joined Clinton in urging rich countries to reach deeper into their pockets. "You want to go save 4 million lives?" Clinton asked. "Give them the medicine. It's not rocket science, and it's so cheap compared to everything else all these rich countries do." Meeting the U.N. goal of cutting global poverty in half by 2015 was a top issue, though Middle East peace, bioterrorism and oil prices shared the spotlight at the World Economic Forum's annual gathering of top business executives, politicians and social leaders. The panel attracting the biggest audience featured Clinton, Blair, Gates, the presidents of South Africa and Nigeria, and U2 rock star Bono discussing whether the seven wealthiest nations and Russia -- the G8 -- will take action to end poverty in Africa. A report to the United Nations this month concluded poverty can be cut in half by 2015 and eliminated by 2025 if the world's richest countries more than double aid to the poorest countries. At stake is life or death for tens of millions of people, it said. "We need this critical mass of resources to make a change, to make a difference," Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said. Gates, who has amassed an estimated $48 billion as founder of Microsoft Corp., said millions of children in Africa could be saved if there were enough resources. "The fact that we don't apply the resources to the known cures or to finding better cures is really ... the most scandalous issue of our time," he said.
Second day of World Economic Forum RTE Interactive
Forum tackles poverty in Africa Xinhua
World leaders pressure rich nations to save poor Africans Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription)
AllAfrica.com - Columbia Daily Tribune - all 162 related »
QUOTE(karo @ Jan 26 2005, 03:07 PM)
People living with HIV
According to estimates from the UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update (December 2004), 37.2 million adults and 2.2 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2004. This is more than 50% higher than the figures projected by WHO in 1991 on the basis of the data then available.
Number of people infected during 2004, and the number of deaths
During 2004, some 4.9 million people became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
http://www.avert.org/worlstatinfo.htm
What is the point of the life-extending drugs? It merely enlarges the pool of those who are able to transmit the disease.
The money would be better spent on prevention...if that is possible...
According to estimates from the UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update (December 2004), 37.2 million adults and 2.2 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2004. This is more than 50% higher than the figures projected by WHO in 1991 on the basis of the data then available.
Number of people infected during 2004, and the number of deaths
During 2004, some 4.9 million people became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
http://www.avert.org/worlstatinfo.htm
What is the point of the life-extending drugs? It merely enlarges the pool of those who are able to transmit the disease.
The money would be better spent on prevention...if that is possible...
India begins AIDS vaccine trials on humans
India, home to the world's second-largest HIV population after South Africa, began its first ever human trials of a new vaccine against the deadly virus on Monday, the health minister said.
Phase I clinical trial of AIDS vaccine begins Outlookindia.com
India begins clinical trial of AIDS vaccine Rediff
News24 - Hindustan Times - all 15 related »
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