World Economic Forum meeting begins in Davos with award to David Beckham, concert on Antarctica

With a call for collaboration for the intelligent age the World Economic Forum began its annual meeting in Davos on by conferring legendary footballer David Beckham and two others with the prestigious Crystal Awards and an opening concert that brought together classical music and AIgenerated visuals to spotlight an urgent environmental crisis facing Antarctica reported news agency PTISeveral Indian leaders also reached this ski resort town to participate in the biggest confluence of top global leaders from arenas ranging from the government to businesses to civil society to academia art and culture reported PTIWEF President and CEO Borge Brense said the meeting is taking place at one of the most uncertain moments in a generation as new geoeconomic geopolitical and technological forces reshape our societiesThe dynamic changes taking place are creating both significant challenges to address as well as important opportunities particularly regarding fastevolving technologies to unlock he saidIn convening 3000 leaders from around the world and across the public and private sectors our aim is to help strengthen or build the collaboration needed for this unique moment he said in his welcome message for nearly 3000 leaders from across the globe participating in the fiveday meeting that will continue till January 24 reported PTII look forward to the constructive dialogue that will take place in Davos this week which I am confident will have an important impact on the year ahead and beyond Brense said about the 55th WEF Annual Meeting which has selected Collaboration in an intelligent age as its theme reported PTIUnion minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who is leading a big Indian delegation that comprises a strong representation of states said he will highlight Indias Development Model at Davos and the countrys vision for inclusive growth and digital transformationMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said his state would be meeting the world at the meeting and was aspiring to break new ground on the global stageAndhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu said he along with his team was ready to put Andhra Pradesh back on the global investment map reported PTIWhile the major sessions and plenary speeches will begin on Tuesday the opening evening on Monday saw star footballer David Beckham fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and renowned architect Riken Yamamoto getting the Crystal Awards reported PTIThe dynamic changes taking place are creating both significant challenges to address as well as important opportunities particularly regarding fastevolving technologies to unlock he saidIn convening 3000 leaders from around the world and across the public and private sectors our aim is to help strengthen or build the collaboration needed for this unique moment he said in his welcome message for nearly 3000 leaders from across the globe participating in the fiveday meeting that will continue till January 24 reported PTIThe awards function was followed by an opening concert that turned out to be a spectacular and emotionally engaging moment when the best of classical music electronic compositions and AIgenerated visual experiences to an extraordinary event under the theme of preserving the glaciersIn alignment with the UNs declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation the concert spotlighted the urgent environmental crisis facing Antarctica home to 9137 of the worlds glaciers reported PTIBesides business and government leaders from across the world the meeting is also attended every year by several renowned people from fields of art culture entertainment and civil society among othersThe WEF said the Crystal Award celebrates the achievements of cultural leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing social environmental and creative progress worldwide reported PTIThis years awardees span diverse fields including architecture fashion and sport and are recognised for notable efforts in advancing community regeneration gender equality childrens rights and moreYamamoto also a 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate will be honoured with the 2025 Crystal Award for his outstanding contributions to architecture and society reported PTIFurstenberg a celebrated fashion designer philanthropist and champion of womens rights is being awarded for her contributions to empowering women through philanthropy mentorship and social responsibilityAs founder of her eponymous brand and creator of the iconic wrap dress she has consistently championed womens independence and strength as a leading voice in the movement for gender equality and womens rightsFurstenberg also serves on the board of Vital Voices Global Partnership a nonprofit organisation founded in 1997 reported PTIThe former English footballer is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global advocate for childrens rightsHe is being given the Crystal Award in recognition of his longterm humanitarian work and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide the WEF said reported PTIThrough his relentless dedication to childrens education protection and wellbeing Beckham has emerged as a powerful global leader in advocacy for the rights of vulnerable children worldwide using his platform and resources to create lasting positive change it added reported PTIThrough his work with UNICEF he has raised awareness of the importance of immunisation and he is a longtime campaigner for malaria preventionThe awards were presented by Hilde Schwab Chairwoman and CoFounder of the World Economic Forums World Arts ForumWith inputs from PTI