What Will Be Said In Davos Tonight Will Move Financial Markets Tomorrow

As one of the most famous annual meeting of global political and business leaders, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland takes place this year from Jan. 25 to 29.

The World Economic Forum known as WEF is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny,Geneva. It describes itself as an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Forum is best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland. The meeting brings together some 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world, including health and the environment.

The organzation also convenes some regional meetings each year in locations such as Latin America and East Asia, as well as in China and the United Arab Emirates.

The  January 2012 meeting, is themed “The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models”

In the days prior, workmen scramble to ready the venue as dignitaries trickle into town, sometimes to enjoy a few days of skiing before the cocktail parties get under way. Guests in this year’s annual meeting have to navigate not only a busy agenda of back-to-back meetings, but also the tons of snow that have blanketed this Swiss Alpine town in recent days.

Fresh snow was falling early on this morning, building moutains and snow drits. Police officers and security guards stood outside major intersections and buildings, prepared for the cold, as security is on alert.

Events include debates and speeches by business leaders,Ministers and Nobel laureates, guests in the annual meeting are here to do business. Many have scheduled dozens of meetings a day with potential clients, partners, associates and reporters. Around 40 government leaders and over 1,600 business executives are among the 2,500 participants at the annual meeting.

It will be an important financial day here, with German Chancellor Merkel set to give the opening address this evening.. Everyone wants to hear what the German leader has to say about resolving the euro-zone debt crisis ahead of the Jan. 30 summit of European Union leaders in Brussels. The world will be listening and analyzing this message, as it will move markets and set the precedent for the future of the eurozone.