Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to travel to Switzerland next month to attend the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, where global leaders will gather to discuss pressing international challenges and pathways for cooperation.
The 56th edition of the WEF annual meeting will take place from January 19 to 23 under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
The program will be organized around five major global challenges that require close public-private cooperation and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.
Discussions will center on navigating cooperation in an increasingly contested world, unlocking new sources of economic growth, investing more effectively in people, deploying innovation responsibly at scale, and pursuing prosperity while staying within planetary boundaries.
Growth, resilience and innovation will act as cross-cutting themes, shaping how leaders address current global complexities and identify future opportunities.
The forum will bring together heads of state and government, business leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives, and academics for high-level discussions on the global economy, geopolitical uncertainty, climate risks, and innovation-driven growth.
During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to engage with international leaders and investors, highlighting Pakistan’s economic priorities while exchanging views on regional and global developments.
Preparations for the visit were reviewed on Monday in Islamabad, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting to coordinate Pakistan’s participation in the forum.
Senior officials, including the Foreign Secretary and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, briefed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on the logistical arrangements, proposed schedule, and key agenda items for Pakistan’s participation in the World Economic Forum.
The briefing also covered planned bilateral meetings and a detailed strategy for media interactions during the visit.
Dar emphasized the importance of maximizing engagements with visiting heads of state, government leaders, and senior executives from major economic and financial institutions attending the Davos gathering.
The meeting also focused on bilateral interactions and media outreach during the visit, with officials discussing ways to project Pakistan’s economic narrative and reform agenda to an international audience.
Dar further highlighted the need to actively pursue collaboration with global private sector entities, particularly in areas linked to investment, trade, and sustainable development.
Leaders are expected to exchange ideas on navigating economic uncertainty while laying the groundwork for inclusive and long-term progress.
Prime Minister Sharif’s participation in the forum comes as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its international economic engagement and present itself as a viable destination for investment amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
