Davos has been put on high alert after fresh snow smothered the Alps on the eve of the important gathering of business leaders, politicians and representatives from charities and non-government organisations.
A host of world leaders, including Theresa May, US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni are set to attend the four-day forum, which gathers some of the richest and most powerful people in the world all in one place.
But there are fears leaders could face difficulty getting around due to the snow.
The accumulation of snow is the highest the upmarket ski resort has seen since 1999 and authorities were last night forced to evacuate two dozen people from homes most at risk.
Zermatt in southwestern Switzerland last night remained cut off by road and rail.
The WEF describes its official mission as “improving the state of the world”.
Today, listeners can expect speeches from India’s Prime Minister Nerendra Modi, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Australian actor Cate Blanchett.
Traditionally, American presidents do not usually attend Davos – but this year Preisdent Trump has decided to jet in on Friday to make a speech, where he will deliver his “America First” message.
White House officials said over the weekend that a government shutdown in the United States was unlikely to prevent Mr Trump from making the trip, although the budget director Mick Mulvaney said it was now “in flux”.
Please follow Express.co.uk for live updates on the the first day of Davos below..
8:49am: An all-female group of chairs are leading this year’s WEF
The women are currently delivering a press confernece
8:48am: Heavy snowfall hasn’t stopped security
An armed security personnel wearing camouflage clothing stands on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters covered in snow reading “Davos”.
8:45am: Davos protestors have been banned due to protestors
Officials said “the extremely tight space situation due to the enormous amount of new snow” doesn’t leave space for protestors
8:42am: Justin Trudeau said he is fighting for the middle class Canadians ahead of Davos
8:39am: Pope Francis has sent a stern warning to Davos attendees
Last night, he told leaders not to remain silent in the face of economic injustice and inequality
He said: “New actors are emerging, as well as new economic competition and regional trade agreements.
“Even the most recent technologies are transforming economic models and the globalized world itself, which, conditioned by private interests and an ambition for profit at all costs, seem to favour further fragmentation and individualism, rather than to facilitate approaches that are more inclusive.”
8:19am: Today’s schedule for Davos has been released
8.30am GMT: Opening press conference by the Davos co-chairs
8.45am GMT: Debate: Are we heading for a new financial crisis?
10.15am GMT: Indian PM Narendra Modi delivers the opening plenary speech
1pm GMT: Actor Cate Blanchett speaks about the global refugee crisis
2pm GMT: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan talks about women’s empowerment in India.
2.30pm GMT: Debate on gender, power and sexual harassment
4pm GMT: Debate on capitalism:
4.30pm GMT: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to deliver special address
8:17am: Davos under huge avalanche risk
The ski resort is now facing a Level 5 avalance risk – the highest rating