A Closer Look: What's it like to go to Davos?

In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week

It is the ultimate gabfest where decision makers and elites gather in a small Swiss town to discuss big ideas.

To critics, the World Economic Forum in Davos is a symbol of what's wrong with the economic world order.

To its supporters, it is a chance to discuss real change and real ideas that could improve our world.

Along the way there's plenty of slipping and sliding on frosty pavements, perishing temperatures and warm hospitality - not least from the UAE, which has made its mark on the annual forum.

The National's Rory Reynolds and Enas Refaei attended for the first time this year. Here's their take on how it went down.

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French President Emmanuel Macron (centre), flanked by delegation members, walks through an inflatable tunnel connecting venues at Davos. AFP

Argentina's President Javier Milei. Reuters

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde with Serbia's President Vucic. EPA

WEF participants gather at Davos Congress Centre. AP Photo

ING Group chief executive Steven van Rijswijk at the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos. AFP

Nick Clegg, president of global affairs and communications with Meta at the WEF. Bloomberg

Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder and chief executive officer of Inflection AI, speaking at the event. Bloomberg

Steve Schwarzman, co-founder and chief executive officer of Blackstone Group, at the Swiss alpine resort. Bloomberg

Andrea Orcel, group chief executive of Unicredit, speaking during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bloomberg

Mike Brown, chief executive of Nedbank Group Ltd. Bloomberg

Tony Fernandes, chief executive Capital A Berhad. Bloomberg

Salil Parekh, chief executive officer of Infosys. Bloomberg

Julie Sweet, chief executive of Accenture, and Ludovic Subran, chief economist at Allianz SE. Bloomberg

France's President Macron (right) shakes hand with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic after his speech. AFP

Pat Gelsinger, chief executive of Intel. EPA

Former British prime minister Tony Blair. EPA

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JP Morgan Chase. Bloomberg

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. AP

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, addresses the assembly. AFP

Former US vice president Al Gore speaks. Reuters