Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined the plenary session of the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as Summer Davos, here on Wednesday morning.
The plenary session began at 9:00am local time at the Dalian International Conference Centre, bringing together global leaders, policymakers and business executives to discuss innovation-driven growth and international cooperation.
WEF President and Chief Executive Officer Alois Zwinggi delivered the opening remarks.
Apart from Tarique Rahman, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Kazakh Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov also joined the session.
On the sidelines of the session, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held discussions with several heads of government and senior leaders from different countries on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing issues of mutual interest.
The interactions focused on enhancing cooperation in areas, including trade, investment, economic development and regional connectivity.
During a break in the session, the participating world leaders took part in an official photo session.
More than 1,700 representatives from over 90 countries and regions, including leaders from government, business, academia and media, took part in the event.
This year’s event, themed “Innovating at Scale,” focuses on key global issues, including the global economy, shifting industrial structures, the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, China’s economic future, youth employment, and climate change.
Bridging the gap between rapid technological advancement and its broader economic benefits remains one of the central topics of discussion of the conference.
This marks Tarique Rahman’s first participation in a World Economic Forum meeting since assuming office as Prime Minister.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed a session of the annual meeting.
He also held a meeting with WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi on the sidelines of the conference.
Besides, Tarique Rahman attended a state dinner hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with the prime ministers of six other countries, including South Korea, Mongolia, Guinea, Montenegro and Kazakhstan.
This afternoon, the Prime Minister will travel from Dalian to Beijing by a high-speed train.
Tarique Rahman, along with his spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman and other delegation, including eight ministers, state ministers and advisers, arrived in Dalian from Kuala Lumpur on Monday night.
A high-level Chinese government delegation welcomed the Prime Minister with a red-carpet reception upon arrival, followed by a motorcade escort to the hotel.
He is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders. He will meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang on June 25 and Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 26.
He is expected to return home on the night of June 26, wrapping up his first official overseas tour since taking office.
