A speech by the U.N. chief, economic growth potential in places like China and Russia, the challenges of artificial intelligence, and appearances by leaders from Spain to Malaysia are set to headline the agenda at the World Economic Forum's annual event in Davos on Wednesday.

Welcome to CNBC’s live blog covering all the latest news, views and action on day 3 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The party scene may be in full swing, but the mood is far from festive as some big political hitters reacted to the head-spinning news coming from Washington following Donald Trump’s inauguration.

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Iran must make a first step towards improving relations with countries in the region and the United States by making it clear they do not aim to develop nuclear weapons, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

“The first step now must come from Iran,” Guterres stated. “Because if not, we risk having indeed an escalation.” The UN chief stressed that it is crucial for Iran to recognize the importance of this step for peace and stability in the region.

We need a surge in finance for climate in developing countries, said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trend reports. "Global heating is racing forward,

Follow The Hindu’s updates of Day 3 of the World Economic Forum 2025, in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2025

Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) takes place from 20-24 January in Davos, Switzerland. Here's a look at what can be expected at this year's meeting. View on euronews

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that unchecked climate change and AI pose existential threats to humanity. He emphasized AI's potential disruptiveness to economies and insisted it should benefit humanity rather than dominate it.

Panama has complained to the United Nations over US President Donald Trump's "worrying" threat to seize the Panama Canal, even as it launched an audit of the Hong Kong-linked operator of two ports on the interoceanic waterway.

Established over 50 years ago, the Annual Meeting of the WEF focuses on the evolving challenges around the world. The themes change every year. While leaders discuss how progress can be made, the WEF itself does not influence decisions or remarks made by policymakers and does not dictate public policies.

The organisers of the annual snowbound gathering in Davos say this year's event comes at a "highly consequential moment for the world", an understatement if ever there was one, writes Europe Editor Tony Connelly.