The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke will represent Ireland at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The theme for the conference is ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a renowned international organization dedicated to fostering public-private cooperation and addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Established in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a Swiss economist and professor, the WEF operates as a platform for leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society to collaborate on shaping global, regional, and industry agendas.
The WEF’s mission is to improve the state of the world through multistakeholder engagement. Guided by the principle of “stakeholder capitalism,” it emphasizes the importance of balancing economic progress with societal and environmental well-being. The organization is independent, impartial, and not tied to any political or national interests, which allows it to serve as a neutral platform for dialogue and collaboration.
Minister Burke will lead the IDA engagement with global CEOs of existing multinationals already in Ireland, as well as meet with CEOs of potential future FDI companies and international leaders.
Ireland at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
Speaking ahead of his visit, the Minister said:
“I look forward to travelling to Davos this week to represent the Irish Government and to engage with my international counterparts. While so many developed economies are dealing with economic and political headwinds, I will be emphasising Ireland’s capabilities as a strong, vibrant economy and one that is well placed to manage external shocks.
“The IDA client base of over 1,800 companies accounts for over 300,000 direct employees across Ireland. This is the third year in succession (2022, 2023 and 2024) that the direct FDI employment level in Ireland was over 300,000 or 11% of our workforce.
“In this context, I welcome the opportunity to engage with leading multinational companies, as well as leading policymakers and influential economic thinkers at the World Economic Forum in support of retaining and growing the FDI base across Ireland, and driving further innovation across our island. In particular, I will be highlighting how our educated and talented workforce can make a unique contribution to innovation and development.”
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