Dublin is to host a “Davos on tour” event next week, with the organisers of the World Economic Forum (WEF) travelling beyond the Swiss mountain village, which plays host to an annual gathering of global business and political leaders.
The event, which will be held in Dublin Castle, will be addressed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with sources indicating that Tánaiste Simon Harris is also expected to attend alongside other Cabinet Ministers.
The event is designed to tie in with Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, and will focus on EU competitiveness and growth, a Government spokesman said.
The Taoiseach will address the main day of the forum in Dublin Castle on May 20th, with an event also taking place at the offices of payments company Stripe.
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A spokesman for the World Economic Forum confirmed the event – billed as its second senior delegates meeting – which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
“The meeting comes ahead of Ireland’s presidency of the European Union and will provide an opportunity for senior executives from European businesses, experts and senior public officials from national governments and the European Commission to discuss the structural challenges shaping Europe’s productivity and growth,” the WEF spokesman said.
He said there will be more than 70 business leaders in attendance. Alongside Harris and Martin, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien are expected to attend.
There was speculation earlier this year about a permanent move for the WEF event away from the Alpine ski resort after Larry Fink, interim co-chairman of the organisation’s governing board, suggested the event could expand its footprint.
He name-checked Dublin as a potential stage, alongside Detroit, Jakarta and Buenos Aires.
The matter was raised in the Dáil in the wake of Fink’s comments, when Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South James Geoghegan said the State should “demonstrate ambition and hold up our hand” in light of the remarks.
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The WEF said topics for the event would include strengthening competitiveness in energy systems, emerging technologies, capital markets and international trade and investment partnerships.
“Strong public-private collaboration will be critical to advancing these priorities over the course of Ireland’s EU Council presidency and beyond,” the WEF spokesman said.
A spokesman for the Department of the Taoiseach said the event will “bring together Government, industry and policymakers, and is being hosted in Dublin ahead of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year”.
