The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Switzerland on 17-21 January. However, it is now being planned for “early Summer”.
WEF stated that the current pandemic conditions make it “extremely difficult” to hold a global in person meeting.
It stated that participants would participate in “state of the globe” sessions online.
Prof Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman, of the World Economic Forum, stated that “the deferral at the annual meeting will not stop progress through continued digital convocation of leaders from government, business, and civil society.”
“Public-private collaboration has been moving forward through the pandemic, and it will continue apace.”
The annual WEF meeting was moved from Davos to accommodate Covid. It was originally scheduled to take place in Singapore in August, but was cancelled.
As the Omicron version of Covid continues to spread throughout Europe, Switzerland is the latest country to impose new Covid restrictions.
The WEF stated that despite the strict protocols for health, Omicron transmission and its impact on mobility and travel have forced deferral.
The WEF was founded in 1971 and brings together leaders from politics, business, charity, and academia.
Some criticize the conference as being too elite. It was held every year in Davos, an Alpine ski resort.
