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Polish president to discuss security, business at World Economic Forum in Davos: officials

16.01.2023 17:45
Poland’s president is set to focus on security and business issues during his talks at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to officials.
Polands President Andrzej Duda (centre) boards a plane in Warsaw to depart for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, January 16, 2023.
Poland's President Andrzej Duda (centre) boards a plane in Warsaw to depart for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, January 16, 2023.PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Details of Andrzej Duda’s visit to Davos were provided on Monday by his foreign policy aide, Marcin Przydacz, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Ahead of the Polish head of state's departure for Switzerland, Przydacz told reporters that this year’s World Economic Forum would be held under the motto "Cooperation in a Fragmented World."

He added that discussions would focus on various challenges, including security, as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequences of Ukraine war

Przydacz said that top politicians, business leaders and experts would talk about "the consequences of the war in Ukraine for the developed world as well as developing countries.”

He added that Duda would make “a number of public speeches” at the annual event in Davos and take part in panel discussions alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and “partners from the US and Canada,” among other countries.

Przydacz told reporters: “We would like to ensure that the discussion about security challenges, eastern policy and economic policy also involves contacts with partners from Europe and further afield.”   

'Poland: Bridge to Freedom'

He added that the president planned to hold talks with African leaders and others at the Polish House in Davos "to present Poland as an important player on the international stage.” 

This year, the Polish House venue bears the motto "Poland: Bridge to Freedom," according to officials.  

“The president will also be promoting Polish entrepreneurs, Polish business,” Przydacz said. 

According to his presidential office, Duda will participate in the World Economic Forum between Tuesday and Thursday.  

The president is set to take part in a number of panel discussions, including In Defence of Europe, The Pathway to European Energy Sovereignty, NATO on the Road to the 2023 Vilnius Summit, European Leadership in a Fragmented World and Preparing for a New Geopolitical Era, and in a session entitled Restoring Security and Peace, the PAP news agency reported.

Exhibition about Russian war crimes in Ukraine

Moreover, Duda is scheduled to attend the opening of an exhibition about Russian war crimes in Ukraine, according to officials. 

In addition, the Polish president will meet with his Lithuanian counterpart Gitanas Nausėda, Latvia’s Egils Levits and Switzerland’s Alain Berset, as well as IBM’s General Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ana Paula Assis, reporters were told. 

The 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos was set to begin at 6 p.m. on Monday with the Annual Crystal Awards ceremony.

These prizes are awarded for work to promote environmental conservation, food security, climate change, mental health and education, the PAP news agency reported.

The World Economic Forum runs until Friday.   

Monday was day 327 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, tvpparlament.pl, weforum.org