The first day of Davos saw Prince William interview Sir David Attenborough live on stage. The Duke of Cambridge described it as a “personal treat” as the pair discussed the environment with Sir David warning “the future of the natural world is in our hands”. As the mood turned back to politics, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo addressed the audience via video link in light of the absense of President Donald Trump. The first major speech from a political leader came from Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, who vowed to make his nation one of the top 50 countries to do business with.
Day two of the Switzerland summit will bring keynote speeches from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Italian premier Giuseppe Conte.
Mrs Merkel will make a special address to the crowd before holding discussions on artificial intelligence and Europe the same day.
While Mr Conte will be grilled on the challenges that lie ahead for his populist government.
Italy has rattled global markets in recent months after a high-profile battle with EU partners over budget restraints and immigration.
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UPDATE 10:20AM:
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived on stage at Davos.
His special address can be watched live below:
UPDATE 10:15AM: BONO TAKES TO THE STAGE
A regular at the Word Economic Forum, U2 star Bono took to the stage with International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde.
The pair took part in a panel to discuss how to close the financial gap.
The pop legend acknowledged how capitalism has helped pull some of the poorest people from the brink, but described it as a “wild beast”.
He said: “If it is not tamed it can chew up a lot of people along the way.”
UPDATE 10:00AM: FOX – BRITAIN WILL BECOME ‘CHAMPIONS OF FREE TRADE’
Liam Fox is heading to the World Economic Forum in Davos to lay the foundations for Brexit trade deals.
The International Trade Secretary has warned a “no deal” will “have to happen” if Theresa May’s deal cannot be voted through Parliament.
Mr Fox said Britain will become “champions of free trade” when it leaves the European Union.
He is in the Swiss ski resort looking to replicate the trade agreements the EU already has with “key countries”.
UPDATE 9:30AM: MOSCOVICI – ‘THE BALL IS CLEARLY IN THE BRITISH SIDE’
Pierre Moscovici, the EU commissioner for economics affairs, turned the attention to Brexit as he declared it was up to Britain to decide the next move.
He went to describe a delay as a “possible scenario” but said there are “two things that are required”.
Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: “First, we need to have unanimity on that – I’m not so worried about that because until now the 27 EU states are really united and I don’t see why this would change.
“Second we need a reason to extend. We need to know why to extend, what for, what’s the plan. The ball is clearly in the British side.”