World Economic Forum
![](/Images/godic/202501/12/World_Economic_Forum_logo.svg0614.png"){kind=logo}
![Professor Klaus Schwab opens the inaugural European Management Forum in Davos in 1971.](/Images/godic/202501/12/1971_Opening0614.jpg")
![F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela shake hands at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 1992](/Images/godic/202501/12/Frederik_de_Klerk_with_Nelson_Mandela_-_World_Economic_Forum_Annual_Meeting_Davos_19920614.jpg")
![Naoto Kan, then Japanese prime minister gives a special message at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011](/Images/godic/202501/12/Naoto_Kan_1_201101290614.jpg")
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva. Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for public-private cooperation, its mission is cited as "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas".