Snow, heads of state, artists, all in Davos, Switzerland

Over 60 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump, then hundreds of leaders of business, academics, artists and civil society representatives will meet for four days, from today under the motto “The creation of a common future in a fractible world”.

With the growing global economy, with the industrial average of the Dow Jones index over 26,000 points for the first time, and optimism that reviewing the US tax system will increase corporate revenues, participants' expectations at the summit look high, the REL broadcast.

But great snow in the Alps has made travel hard in many regions, and Switzerland has issued an avalanche alarm on January 22nd.

“I am happy for the snow, because it gives Davos what should be the aspect of a global village, a village where nature still plays an important role”, the forum's chairman, Klaus Schwab, said in an interview for Reuters agency.

Some 400 debates and such topics as economic growth, environment, terrorism, artificial intelligence, predictions for Africa and ways that refugees can contribute to host countries will be held within the forum's halls.

A decade after the bankruptcy of the American investment bank Lehman Brothers has helped fuel the global financial crisis, sinking numerous economies into recession, Trump is expected to dominate many talks even before his speech on the last day.

Small protests have already been held, while authorities have rejected the leftist groups' demand to protest in Davos on January 25th, saying there is not enough space due to snowfall.

However, an anti-Trump petition calling on the American president to stay away has gathered over 16,000 online supporters.

Banning the protest is a <x0 way of hiding behind the power of the global elites”, said Tamara Funicillo, leader of Switzerland's Young Socialists, adding that authorities “need stronger pillars”.

Swiss police have distributed over 4,300 officers to the region to provide security.

Singer Elton John and actress Cate Blanchett are just two of the dozens of books expected to take part in the forum, aimed at boosting awareness of social issues.

The forum will include several sessions for sexual harassment this year, especially in the film industry.

Facing charges of sexism, the World Economic Forum has named seven co-chairmen of women, including Christine Lagarde, chief of the International Monetary Fund, and Ginni Rometty, chief executive of IBM.