Iranian president to participate in World Economic Forum

Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10 By Umid Niayesh - Trend: Iranian president Hassan Rouhani will visit Switzerland later this month to participate in the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Mehr news agency reported on Jan. 10. The visit will be Rouhani`s first European trip since taking office on Aug. 4. Secretary of the World Economic Forum reportedly invited Rouhani to the forum in his visit to Tehran. The WEF is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny near Geneva. It describes itself as an independent international organization 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. The Forum is best known for its annual meeting in Davos. The meeting brings together some 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world, including health and the environment. Since its inception in 1971 and its later enhancement in 1987, the WEF has tried to provide a platform for resolving international conflicts. The 2013 meeting was held from 23 January to 27 January, with the theme of "Resilient Dynamism," following founder Klaus Schwab's declaration that "the need for global cooperation has never been greater". Edited by C.N. Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency