Switzerland: WEF to hold its annual meeting in Davos Jan. 16-20

Event

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is holding its annual meeting in Davos Jan. 16-20; the main venue will be the Davos Congress Centre, though related events will be held in several other venues throughout the town. Heads of state and senior government officials from several countries will travel to Davos to attend the meeting. Swiss authorities are implementing tight security measures throughout the town to facilitate the event. Activist groups have confirmed their intent to protest in Davos and other Swiss cities.

Security services will implement enhanced security measures throughout Davos Jan. 14-21. These measures include deploying thousands of additional security personnel to the town, likely checkpoints on routes into Davos, and restricting traffic on certain roads in the town center. Authorities will also implement security zones that may only be accessed by individuals with the appropriate accreditation; these include the areas around the Davos Congress Centre, The Hotel Seehof, and the Alpengold Hotel. Authorities will also implement increased security measures around transport hubs including Davos Dorf and Davos Platz train stations in addition to nearby airports, in particular Zurich Airport (ZRH). Sporadic disruptions are likely on major routes into Davos for the duration of the event as authorities escort attendees to and from the meeting.

Several activist groups are likely to protest against the event for environmental, social, and economic criticisms of the WEF. In Davos, authorities typically tightly restrict the location and attendance of demonstrations, typically permitting gatherings of up to 500 people at Davos Postplatz only. Activists from the Strike-WEF Collective plan to march from the nearby town of Kublis to Klosters on Jan. 14 and from Klosters to Davos on Jan. 15. Authorities have restricted the march away from major routes, but participants may attempt to block traffic on the main A28 Highway leading to Davos during the action. Activists from the Strike-WEF Collective and the Young Socialists of Switzerland also plan to demonstrate at Davos Postplatz from 14:00 Jan. 15. Further demonstrations in Davos are likely during the course of the event; all will be tightly policed.

Activists will also stage anti-WEF demonstrations in other cities during the event. A protest is confirmed in Zurich on Jan. 17; activists will gather at Helvetiaplatz from 19:00. Further actions are likely in Zurich and other Swiss cities. Attendance will vary but could reach into the thousands at larger gatherings.

Additional police will deploy to monitor all demonstrations. Large crowds and related security measures will likely prompt localized business and transport disruptions in surrounding areas. Most demonstrations are likely to pass off peacefully though isolated clashes with police are possible, particularly if activists attempt to breach any security cordons.

Advice

Check routes status and public transport services before traveling to Davos and allow additional travel time. Heed all instructions from security services. Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions.