Spanish Premier and Influential Business Leaders to Tackle Global Issues at the World Economic Forum 2025
The World Economic Forum (WEF), a pivotal gathering of global economic and political leaders, will once again convene in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24. The event will see substantial participation from Spain, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez leading a high-profile delegation composed of governmental officials and business magnates from several Spanish-listed companies on the Ibex 35.
Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to speak on January 22 at 10:15 AM in a colloquium exploring health and prosperity through preventive measures.
Joining him in this dialogue will be notable figures such as Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis; Adar C. Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India; Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and Sania Nishtar, CEO of GAVI, the
Vaccine Alliance.
Later that afternoon, Sánchez will participate in discussions focusing on climate change and natural ecosystems alongside former US Vice President Al Gore, Bangladeshi government adviser Muhammad Yunus, Trina Solar Co-President Katherine Gao Haichun, Fortescue Metals Group Chairman Andrew Forrest, and Infosys CEO Salil S. Parekh.
In a release, Moncloa sources indicated that while the agenda for the forum in 2025 is still being finalized, it is expected to align closely with the themes of previous years, maintaining focus on pressing global challenges.
Joining Sánchez from the Spanish government will be Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprises; Sara Aagesen, Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge; and José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU, and Cooperation.
Additionally, José Luis Escrivá, Governor of the Bank of Spain, is set to contribute to a panel on January 23, featuring Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange, Kathryn Koch, President of TWC, and William Ford, CEO of General Atlantic.
The business delegation from Spain, indicative of the nation's economic stature, includes Ana Botín, Chairman of Banco Santander; Carlos Torres, Chairman of BBVA; José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica; Ignacio Sánchez Galán, Executive Chairman of Iberdrola; and Francisco Reynés, Chairman and CEO of Naturgy.
Additionally, figures such as Maarten Wetselaar, CEO of Moeve; Belén Garijo, CEO of Merck; Beatriz Martín Jiménez of UBS; and Raquel Urtasun, CEO of Waabi, will also make appearances.
Spanish influence extends beyond its current government officials, with Teresa Ribera, now serving as Executive Vice President for a Just and Competitive Transition at the European Commission, and former Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya participating as well.
Global leaders confirmed to attend include US President-elect
Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, China's Vice President Ding Xuexiang, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Representation from key international organizations enhances the forum's significance, with participation expected from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General; Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director; and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General among others.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, is also slated to engage in a discussion with Georgieva and Laurence Fink, CEO of BlackRock.
The Davos meeting serves as a critical platform for addressing the interconnected challenges and opportunities facing the global community, with Spain’s prominent involvement underscoring its active role on the world stage.