World Economic Forum Chairman: "President Moon Truly Inspires"

Global CEOs Positively Evaluate President Moon's Speech and Korean Stage... AstraZeneca CEO "Confident Korea Will Become a Global Engine in Bio and Healthcare"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), praised President Moon Jae-in's remarks in the '2021 Davos Agenda Korea Special Address' as truly inspiring. He also expressed being impressed by the stage prepared by Korea.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, conveyed on the 28th the reflections of the participants regarding the conversations President Moon had with global company CEOs and international organization representatives at the WEF event.

Klaus Schwab, WEF Chairman, stated, "The President's words were truly inspiring. The stage prepared by the Korean side created an atmosphere that fostered great empathy, which was very impressive."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Spokesperson Kang explained, "This special address was designed not only to deliver President Moon's message but also to showcase our digital technology, competitiveness, and commitment to carbon neutrality through the event venue."

Kang said, "First, as the backdrop of the venue, we placed a media folding screen by artist Lee In-nam," adding, "The artwork used was 'Classical Painting - Happiness,' which embodies the spirit and aspirations of our people moving towards peace and harmony through light in the dark and deep night of history."

Furthermore, Kang added, "We also displayed at the venue an 1:18 scale model of the world's first mass-produced hydrogen electric vehicle Nexo, LG Rollable TV, and a 1:600 scale model of an offshore wind power generator equipped with blades developed purely with domestic technology, highlighting to global CEOs the excellence of our products, technological capabilities, and efforts to respond to climate change."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Jim Snabe, Chairman of Siemens, commented on President Moon's speech, saying, "Korea has emerged as a strong and leading nation capable of advancing a sustainable future by leveraging cutting-edge technology." He added, "It was a very encouraging session, and I hope it inspires other countries as well."

Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca, said, "I found President Moon's vision for a sustainable, digital-based, and socially inclusive post-pandemic economic recovery to be very dynamic," emphasizing, "I am confident that Korea will continue to rise as a global engine in bio-health R&D and manufacturing sectors."

Orit Gadish, Chairperson of Bain & Company, stated, "The Korean New Deal was a bold policy and a special initiative that clearly expressed Korea's ambitions." Beno?t Potier, CEO of Air Liquide, pledged, "We will actively support Korea's energy transition and the development of this new market."

Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said, "I was surprised and pleased by the remark during the Q&A that 'there is no more time to fail,'" adding, "I found it remarkable how Korea combined very effective crisis management with a long-term vision for society, health, and the economy."