Trump to give virtual address to World Economic Forum in Davos

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani will speak about nation’s new era

Donald Trump will address the World Economic Forum in Davos remotely, days after being sworn in as US president. AFP

Donald Trump will speak remotely at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, only days after his inauguration as US president.

The 47th president will address the gathering of world leaders and decision-makers on Thursday, January 23.

WEF president Borge Brende said other senior members of the incoming US administration have expressed an interest to attend in person, without naming them.

Mr Brende told an online news conference that the WEF's 55th meeting in Davos, Switzerland came "against the most complicated geopolitical backdrop in generations".

Asked whether the world's richest man Elon Musk was expected to attend, Mr Brende said he was welcome but was not scheduled to appear.

More than 60 heads of state and government will attend the event, held on January 20-24 in the Swiss Alps.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Argentina's President Javier Milei, who delivered a fiery speech last year, are among the world leaders attending in person. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will give a virtual address and take questions.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani will be in Davos and is due to speak about the future of his country after the downfall of former president Bashar Al Assad.