A new American presidency, geopolitical risk and all things AI – these are the main themes expected to keep world leaders, leading business figures and journalists busy over the next few days in Davos at the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Primarily, the start of Donald Trump’s second term as US president is a clear break with the administration of Joe Biden. Mr Trump’s inauguration ceremony today falls on the first day of the annual meeting. From global tariffs to energy policy, the US president will significantly affect many of the industries and leaders gathered in the Alpine resort. Multiple sessions on the official programme are dedicated to deciphering what the next four years will be like, and while Mr Trump will not be present, he will give a virtual address to those attending later this week.
Linked to the election of Mr Trump is the geopolitical state of the world. In the annual Global Risks Report issued by the World Economic Forum last week, geopolitical risk was named as the top concern for chief executives and leaders from the world of politics, media and business who participated in a survey about risk perception. The perception that conflicts could become worse or spread was the primary immediate concern – with the Middle East and Ukraine top of mind. The fact that the Gaza ceasefire came into force on the eve of the meeting is undoubtedly a positive development but the level of uncertainty and fear of war prevails.
One unexpected turn of events was the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria, not factored in at the time of conducting the survey. While the former Syrian government did not participate in Davos, its successors will be represented by the acting Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, who will address those attending on Thursday. A key message is expected to be that of reopening Syria for business, requiring the removal of international sanctions and the trust of the new authorities in Syria. The forum will also see the return of a once-regular delegate of Davos, Iran’s Vice President Javad Zarif, who will also address the event after several years of absence. However, for most European delegates, the biggest issue remains that of Ukraine. While Mr Trump is expected to limit some of the support that Ukraine has enjoyed since 2022, Kyiv is still getting ample support in Davos. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend Davos, while “Ukraine House” is hosting a series of events outside the main congress centre. The space hosting “Ukraine House” is decked with a banner stating “Your Country First. Win with us”, capturing the nationalistic sentiment that appears to be growing among countries.
The third issue that is top of mind for most of those attending, particularly those not engaged immediately in geopolitics, is that of artificial intelligence. The topic of AI this year is not one speaking to the future, rather, very much the present. A short walk along the famous Davos Promenade is quite telling, with advertising from companies claiming to have the answer for AI adoption. Cisco boasts “Making AI work for you”, while Salesforce claims its “Agentforce” is “what AI was meant to be”, and Intel advertising “AI inside for the New Era”. G42 has joined forces with several leaders, including Microsoft, to host a building renamed “AI House”, with a full programme dedicated to AI.
The confluence of these issues, with a backdrop of climate change that has melted much of the snow off the mountains surrounding the meeting, promises to make this year’s forum as important as ever.
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
More on Quran memorisation:
The five pillars of Islam
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
