WEF ticker Greenpeace activists smuggled themselves into the WEF as caterers

Valérie Glutz

17.1.2025

Every year, the political and business elite meet in Davos for the WEF. blue News reports in detail on the World Economic Forum 2025: whether with background reports or live reports on site.

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  • The WEF 2025 will take place from January 20 to 24 in Davos.
  • It brings together financial and political leaders from all over the world.
  • blue News reports on the event.
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  • 2.08 pm

    How the Greenpeace activists got into the WEF

    On the second day of the WEF, three activists broke into the heavily guarded event - shortly before the official opening speech by Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. Now the Director of the World Economic Forum, Alois Zwinggi, explains how the three intruders managed to get in.

    Apparently, the three smuggled themselves into the WEF as employees of a catering company. "They got into the congress center legitimately," he explains, adding that they had appropriate IDs that allowed them to enter without any problems. Once inside, they used the moment to unfurl a banner in the air.

    The guests of the World Economic Forum (WEF) were not threatened at any time, Zwinggi assured Keystone-SDA in an interview on Friday. The activists would not have got through security with weapons. This is similar to that of an airport.

    Greenpeace-Aktivist:innen stören die WEF-Eröffnung mit Ursula von der Leyen und Klaus Schwab: Keine Steuergeschenke für Superreiche‼️ Agnes Jezler, Greenpeace Schweiz: «Für die Schweiz heisst das u.a., dass sie sich für ein UNO-Steuerabkommen einsetzen muss.» #TaxTheSuperRich #WEF2025 bit.ly/4anAWff

    [image or embed]

    — Greenpeace Schweiz (@de.greenpeace.ch) 21. Januar 2025 um 13:38
  • 2.30 p.m.

    69 activists reported for disruptive actions at the WEF

    According to the authorities, 69 activists have been reported for various disruptive actions against the WEF. 49 were expelled. However, security was always guaranteed.

    108 people protected under international law took part in this year's World Economic Forum (WEF), as the Graubünden authorities announced on Friday afternoon. These were never threatened by the actions of activists.

    Although freedom of expression also applies at the WEF, disregarding the rules must have consequences, cantonal president Marcus Caduff was quoted as saying.

    Among the 69 people charged are six who chained themselves to buses at the entrance to the Davos heliport on Monday, according to an inquiry by Keystone-SDA. Four people have to answer for spray painting. Around 30 because of a road blockade. However, the three activists who broke into the congress center on Tuesday were only turned away.

  • 18:35

    "Treats us very unfairly": Trump rails against the EU

    Donald Trump also lashed out at the European Union at the World Economic Forum (WEF). "From America's point of view, the EU treats us very, very unfairly and very badly," he said. The Republican accused the EU of not buying agricultural products and cars from the USA. At the same time, millions of cars were being sent from Europe to the USA.

    In 2023, the number of US vehicle imports to the EU rose by 5.3 percent compared to the previous year, according to the European car association Acea. However, the EU actually exports more than twice as many cars to the USA as it imports.

    Trump has repeatedly threatened the EU with tariffs recently, citing the trade deficit as the reason. There had already been a trade dispute between the USA and the EU during Trump's first term in office. In 2018, Trump introduced special tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, while the EU responded with special tariffs on US products such as bourbon whiskey, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and jeans.

    Donald Trump feels "unfairly" treated by the EU. At the WEF, the US President accused the EU of not buying cars from the US, among other things.
    Donald Trump feels "unfairly" treated by the EU. At the WEF, the US President accused the EU of not buying cars from the US, among other things.
    Bild: Chip Somodevilla/Pool Getty Images/AP/dpa
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  • 18:23

    Trump calls for "fair" trade relations with China

    At the World Economic Forum, Donald Trump once again referred to what he sees as unequal trade relations between the United States and China. The US suffers from "massive trade deficits" with the People's Republic, the US President explained during a video link.

    "It's simply an unfair relationship", Trump criticized, blaming his predecessor Joe Biden. However, Trump assured that he was not trying to gain a one-sided advantage for the United States. "We don't have to do it phenomenally," he said. "But we have to make it a fair relationship now."

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  • 5:55 p.m.

    Donald Trump threatens companies with punitive tariffs

    Tariffs, oil, artificial intelligence: The new US President Donald Trump presented his vision for economic policy at the World Economic Forum WEF in Davos. The Republican once again threatened to impose tariffs and called on companies to produce in the USA. "America is back and open for business," said the politician, who was connected via video. "If you don't make your product in America, which is your right, then you will simply have to pay a tariff."

    In addition, Trump emphasized that he would produce oil and gas in the future. "This will not only lower the cost of virtually all goods and services, but will also make the United States a manufacturing superpower and the world capital of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies."

    The USA was also the world's largest producer and consumer of oil under former President Joe Biden, who was committed to climate protection. Trump is now officially turning his back on climate protection and denying the crisis.

    US President Donald Trump threatened companies with punitive tariffs if they do not produce in his country. (archive image)
    US President Donald Trump threatened companies with punitive tariffs if they do not produce in his country. (archive image)
    Bild: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/dpa
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  • 5 p.m.

    Now Trump is speaking at the WEF

    It is the new US President's first appearance on the international stage: Donald Trump gives a 45-minute speech at the WEF - including a Q&A session with the heads of major companies and WEF President Borge Brende. You can follow the speech live in the stream.

  • 16.08 hrs

    Switzerland signs declaration with Ukraine for reconstruction

    Switzerland has signed a declaration of intent with Ukraine for reconstruction in Ukraine. Economics Minister Guy Parmelin gave a positive assessment of his trip to the WEF on Thursday.

    The declaration aims to increase the involvement of Swiss companies that are already active in Ukraine, as Federal Councillor Parmelin said at a media event in Davos. As a first step, Switzerland will make CHF 50 million available for projects by Swiss companies.

  • 1.33 p.m.

    First appearance on the international stage: Trump delivers his WEF speech today

    For the first time in his new term of office, US President Donald Trump will speak on an international stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. The eagerly awaited appearance is scheduled to last around 45 minutes via video link in the afternoon (5 p.m.) and, according to the program, will also include a Q&A session with the heads of major companies. Earlier in Davos, US special envoy Richard Grenell had called on NATO member states to increase their defense spending.

    Even before his appearance in Davos, Trump had given the global community a foretaste of what to expect from him in the future: He threatened tariffs against Mexico and Canada, a takeover of the Panama Canal by the USA and also announced his country's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as well as increased oil and gas production.

    Trump's return to the White House has been one of the dominant themes in Davos since the opening of the World Economic Forum on Monday. Trump is committed to a rigorous "America First" economic policy. This stance stands in stark contrast to the multilateralism advocated in Davos.

  • Thursday, January 23, 10.39 a.m.

    Switzerland signs free trade agreement with Thailand

    Switzerland signed a free trade agreement with the Kingdom of Thailand in Davos on Thursday. According to Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, the closer partnership will bring benefits for both countries.

    The agreement brings a reduction in customs duties on many products and legal certainty, as Federal Councillor Parmelin said at the media event. In the event of any problems, there is now a common basis for finding a solution. The treaty text also contains a chapter on sustainability.

    The treaty text also covers investment, intellectual property rights, competition, public procurement and legal and horizontal provisions. The future is based on trust, respect and prosperity, continued the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

  • 3.26 p.m.

    Selensky warns Europe

    At the WEF on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned against a Europe that is becoming less and less important with regard to the new US administration. He also called for a Europe-wide rearmament to guarantee security.

    Russia's army is larger than that of the individual European countries, so it must be confronted together, said the star guest at this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Tuesday. A united defense policy and more investment in this area are needed.

    With a view to the inauguration of the new US President Donald Trump just 20 hours ago, he warned that Europe could fall further behind. Everyone is currently looking to Washington, but no one is looking to Europe.

    The alliance partnership between the EU and the USA must remain in place, he said, and Europe must become indispensable. He himself has a "good relationship" with Trump, said Selenskyj at the WEF. Trump had announced that he would end the war in Ukraine this year.

  • 2.40 pm

    Now Zelensky is speaking

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also arrived at the WEF. He is giving a speech. You can follow it live in the stream.

  • 2.31 pm

    Scholz emphasizes the principle of inviolability of borders

    At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has called for adherence to the principle of the inviolability of borders. This must apply "always and everywhere", Scholz said on Tuesday. "Anyone who questions this principle is questioning the international order as a whole. It calls peace and prosperity into question - worldwide."

    Scholz referred to the war of aggression against Ukraine unleashed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he did not explicitly mention US President Donald Trump's latest annexation threats regarding the Panama Canal and Greenland in Davos. However, he had already made it clear after Trump's threats that the principle of inviolability of borders must also apply to the USA.

    At the same time, Scholz emphasized that Putin had not been successful with his war of aggression against Ukraine. This was also the result of support for Ukraine from Germany, among others. "This support is and remains the path to a genuine, just peace for Ukraine," said the Chancellor. And for a peace agreement to be reached, the Ukrainians must have "the last word". Nothing should be decided over their heads.

  • 12.38 p.m.

    Selensky arrives at the WEF

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF). This was announced by his spokesman. Zelensky will give a speech at the WEF on Tuesday afternoon.

  • 11.15 a.m.

    Activists at the WEF center

    Greenpeace activists forced their way into the Congress Center this morning. They disguised themselves in suits as official participants and carried WEF access authorizations, reported a participant on site. The activists then climbed a ladder onto the balcony and unrolled a banner.

  • 11.13 a.m.

    President of the Swiss Confederation speaks out in favor of open competition at the WEF

    Open competition, stable state institutions and healthy public finances are prerequisites for the well-being of countries and their populations. President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter said this in her opening speech at the WEF in Davos on Tuesday.

    Only freedom provides the basis for development. This was her message at the traditional opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF), said Keller-Sutter in an interview with Keystone-SDA shortly before her speech.

    Where power and resources are concentrated in the hands of a small elite, broad prosperity and social peace cannot flourish, Keller-Sutter concluded in her opening speech.

    The responsibility lies first and foremost with politicians. They must ensure the right framework conditions. Companies must also take responsibility - for themselves, for training, for the environment and for society. In return, Keller-Sutter promised Switzerland's commitment to "reliable framework conditions at national and international level".

  • 10.43 a.m.

    Incident at the WEF

    Activists in the congress center.
    Activists in the congress center.
    KEYSTONE

    Two Greenpeace activists broke into the Davos Congress Center shortly before the official opening speech at the WEF. They carried a banner calling for taxes on the super-rich.

    A third activist was apparently stopped, as Keystone-SDA learned on site at the World Economic Forum (WEF). The two other activists climbed to the top of the main staircase to the "Annual Meeting 2025" banner and held it aloft.

  • 16:23

    Skiers rejoice

    Davos becomes a high-security fortress. Few people enjoy it, but for many it is part of everyday life, as blue News editor Samuel Walder knows. One skier reacts happily: "The slopes are almost empty," he says.

  • 1.30 pm

    Davos resembles a building site

    The WEF construction can also be seen in Davos. The stores along the main street are being cleared out to make way for the companies. They can rent the buildings and advertise or set up meeting places during the WEF.

  • 17.1., 10.50 a.m.

    Davos now becomes a high-security zone

    The police and army are on site to protect the WEF participants.
    The police and army are on site to protect the WEF participants.
    Samuel Walder

    This morning, the police and army provided information about security at the WEF. With immediate effect, an extensive flight and security zone will be in place and Davos will be cordoned off for the most part. The police and army are in action, as pictures taken by a blue News reporter on location show.

    All Swiss police forces are deployed to ensure security at the WEF in Davos. The police forces will be supported by up to 5,000 members of the armed forces on assistance duty, as explained by Divisional Commander Maurizio Dattrino at the WEF media conference.

  • 15.01., 11.08 a.m.

    There is one threat the world is most afraid of right now

    900 participants from business and politics have given their assessment of the greatest global risks. One topic is at the top of the list.

  • 14.01, 16.02

    Who is coming to the WEF 2025?

    The first WEF guests have already been announced since Tuesday. Among others, Volodymyr Selenskyi will be visiting Davos - despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

  • First members of the army arrive in Davos

    A large part of the army contingent for deployment at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos arrived on Monday. They have to protect important infrastructure such as power lines or transport certain politicians by air.