World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 annual meeting concludes in Davos

Key facts

• The 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting concluded in Davos on 23 January 2026.
• U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the agenda with his claim to Greenland, prompting strong European resistance.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew in for talks as a U.S.–Russia discussion on Ukraine continued; Russian Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks at the USA House, the first Russian official to visit Davos since 2022.
• U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a panel that global oil production needs to more than double to meet rising energy demand and criticised Europe and California for overspending on green energy.
• Elon Musk stated the U.S. could meet all electricity needs via solar from a small area of Utah, Nevada or New Mexico but noted high tariff barriers hamper deployment.
• Trump discussed a secret sonic weapon allegedly used in the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and predicted increased U.S. and European defence spending.