Switzerland: World Economic Forum to hold its annual meeting in Davos Jan. 15-19

The World Economic Forum (WEF) will hold its 54th annual meeting in Davos Jan. 15-19. 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, senior government officials, heads of global businesses, and directors of civil society groups from multiple countries will attend the meeting. Swiss authorities are implementing tight security measures throughout the town to facilitate the event. Activist groups will likely protest in Davos and other cities.

Security services will implement enhanced security measures throughout Davos. These measures include deploying thousands of troops and 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. Local authorities will tightly restrict the location and attendance of demonstrations, typically permitting gatherings of up to 500 people at Davos Postplatz only. Activists will also stage anti-WEF demonstrations in other cities during the event. 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 likely 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.