( CNN ) -- Business leaders , heads of government , entrepreneurs and even the odd celebrity will be rubbing fur and down-quilted shoulders at Europe 's highest altitude town , Davos , for the World Economic Forum 's annual meeting this week . The high-powered talk-fest , founded by German economist Klaus Schwab in 1971 , has become a vital part of the business calendar -- for the intensity of its networking as much as declarations of action from the speakers ' podiums . WEF describes itself as `` an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging political , academic and other leaders of society to shape global , regional and industry agendas . '' As is traditional , the theme of its annual meeting in Davos is sweeping and , at first glance , somewhat opaque : `` The Reshaping of the World : Consequences for Society , politics and Business . '' The WEF says the theme `` reflects on the disruptions that societies face on a global scale driven by rapid technological and scientific innovation , accelerating social change and a shifting global economic order . '' According to CNN 's Richard Quest , the WEF may have a point with its choice of theme . The world has changed , Quest says , after its emergence from the wreckage of five years of crisis . In its wake , there is `` a landscape where old rules no longer exist and the new ones have yet to be written and agreed . '' `` The issues are prescient , they are on everyone 's mind , we all know that 'times are different ' and we are by no means sure how to handle them , '' Quest says . But he ponders whether those at Davos will be able to unite to plot a way forward in this new landscape . If it 's a question of numbers , they 've certainly got a head start . The 44th annual meeting is bringing together more than 2,500 leaders , thinkers and public figures representing more than 100 countries . It is strictly invitation only . Certain groups -- heads of state , faith leaders , academics , social entrepreneurs , members of international organizations and news anchors -- can attend free of charge , but for businesses , the cost of a ticket is approximately $ 20,000 . For that fee , from January 22 to 25 participants will be able to attend more than 250 sessions and workshops based around the overarching `` reshaping '' theme . Guest speakers range from the European Commission President Manuel Barroso , International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde , United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki Moon and Microsoft founder Bill Gates to actors Matt Damon and Goldie Hawn . The forum is taking place against a backdrop of violent conflict in South Sudan , the Central African Republic and Syria . Syrian opposition leader George Sabra will be at the Davos gathering , with a second round of peace talks being held in another corner of Switzerland -- on the shores of Lake Geneva -- the same week . Bloodshed in the Middle East and North Africa has disrupted the region 's economies , with the World Bank 's latest report saying they remained depressed after the Arab Spring that began in Tunisia three years ago and sparked Syria 's civil war . `` Political turmoil in Egypt , stalemate in Tunisia and an escalation of the civil war in Syria with spillovers to neighboring Lebanon and Jordan have weakened activity in the developing oil-importing countries , '' the report said . In Iran , there has also been a fall in production but the World Bank points to international sanctions as the reason . However , that may change after last year 's historic deal between world powers on an interim deal with Iran that imposes limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief . Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani -- who replaced the country 's controversial previous president , Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , last year -- will be at Davos and is due to speak on the subject of `` Iran in the World . '' Also walking the WEF corridors will be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has described Rouhani as `` a wolf in sheep 's clothing . '' He is scheduled to speak on `` Israel 's Economic and Political Outlook . '' President Shimon Peres will speak on `` Celebrating the 'Spirit of Davos ' '' -- which will perhaps explain why the traditional enemies are going to the same talk-fest party . Participants will have some reason to celebrate , as the global economy has shown signs of improvement since last year 's meeting . China , often the focus for economic hope , has pushed through bold policies under its new leadership . The country 's 300-plus political elite have reportedly agreed to curb government meddling in the economy and make state-owned enterprises compete with the private sector on a level playing field . Davos sessions include one on China 's outlook and another on how China , Europe and the U.S. can compete and collaborate . Meanwhile , in Japan , Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's bold measures to jump-start his country 's economy -- dubbed `` Abenomics '' -- has had an impact , with an initial jump in growth before the economy weakened . He is a speaker at the forum , under the topic `` The Reshaping of the World : Vision from Japan . '' Europe , whose ailing economic health has dominated discussions at the last two year 's events , appears to be off its sickbed . Last year the eurozone returned to growth for the first time since 2011 but the difference for ordinary citizens may be negligible , and austerity measures are still in place . Youth unemployment in Spain and Greece is above 50 % , while rates in Portugal , Italy and Ireland are all above 30 % . As for the United States , much of 2013 's focus was on the debt ceiling and October 's government shut-down . Government dysfunction passed the economy as Americans ' top concern in Gallup 's polling late last year . U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will attend Davos and deliver remarks on `` the United States ' commitment to and engagement in the Middle East region , '' according to the State Department . Kerry has been working to achieve a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians but recently the U.S. has faced diplomatic hurdles closer to home . A top concern of America 's traditional allies may well be the U.S. National Security Agency 's surveillance program , details of which were revealed in documents leaked by Edward Snowden last year . German Chancellor Angela Merkel , allegedly among those targeted , is a frequent Davos attendee but will not be present this year . This is not , a spokesman said , because of her skiing accident -- she fractured her pelvis on recent visit to Switzerland -- but because the event coincides with a government meeting . While those attending Davos may not be focusing on their winter sports activities , it is on the side-lines of the main program that some of them may go `` off-piste . '' The raclette , gluhwein and hot chocolate chats could be the ones where deals are brokered . Read more : All you need to know to be a Davos delegate . Read more : China 's reforms -- Enlarging but not discarding the cage . Read more : Can Abenomics make Japan 's economy fly ? Read more : 2013 -- rich got richer , poor got poorer .
The 44th annual annual meeting is bringing together more than 2,500 entrepreneurs , thinkers and public figures . Speakers range from Francisco Rodríguez , Christine Ellison , Ban Ki Moon , Bill Gates to Matt Damon and Goldie Hawn . The high - powered talk - fest and a vital part of the conference calendar was founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971 .