Davos 2025: Some notable quotes from the World Economic Forum meeting

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) – Top business and political figures attending World Economic Forum Meeting In Davos, Switzerland, discussed and debated topics such as technology, tariffs, climate change, Ukraine, Gaza and the global economy this week. Here’s some of what they said:

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“We are seeing a retreat in democracy all over the world, even in the most advanced democracy, it is a movement in the wrong – in the wrong direction.” – Alain Berset, a former Swiss president who heads the Council of Europe, which defends human rights and supports democracy.

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“The common denominator for countries that fail is the mental virus of woke ideology. It is the great pandemic of our time that must be cured. It is the cancer that must be cut out. » – Javier Milei, President of Argentina.

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“If you don’t create your product in America, which is your prerogative, then quite simply, you will have to pay a tariff.” – US President Donald Trump.

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“We are at another turning point, which some see as a problem for Europe, but others call an opportunity. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player. Let’s not forget – there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia. » – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on European aid for Ukraine.

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“I hope there’s an argument that can be made that this is the thing that (Joe) Biden and (Barack) Obama and (Bill) Clinton couldn’t do. You know, this is your chance to get a big gold medal. – Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian aid coordinator, in hopes that Trump could foster peace in the Middle East.

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“The world is undergoing an unstoppable energy transition.” – UN climate chief Simon Stiell saying the “door remains open” if the US ever wanted to return to the Paris agreement.

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“Our dependence on fossil fuels is a Frankenstein’s monster, with nothing and no one doing. All around us we see clear signs that the monster has become master. » – UN Secretary-General António Guterres, discussing companies that have made a comeback on climate commitments.

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“The hope in Meta is that it will work better and it also has a big advantage, which is that Meta has never seen itself as having the legitimacy to decide what is right or wrong for society.” – Meta Platforms AI scientist Yann LeCun, explaining the social media company’s decision to replace its fact-checking program with crowd-sourced community ratings.