According to Klaus Schwab, the WEF's annual Davos meetings are necessary because "the big challenges in the world"—such as "the environmental threats"—can only be resolved through co-operation between business and government.

"There are over 100 governments who are represented by the head of state, or the head of government... If you look at the business community, we think that out of the 1000 top global companies, about 70% will be represented in Davos by the top person."