The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation based in cologny, Geneva. It is an independent international organization that brings together business, political, academic and social leaders to explore the problems in the world economy and promote international economic cooperation and exchange.

The World Economic Forum is best known for its annual Davos winter meeting in the Swiss Eastern Alps resort of glauberdon. The conference brings together about 2500 world's top business leaders, international politicians, intellectuals and journalists. The winter meeting discussed the world's problems, including the most pressing health and environmental issues.

The World Economic Forum was founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a German born professor of business at the University of Geneva. Initially known as the European Management Forum, it was renamed the world economic forum in 1987 and expanded its discussion of issues, including providing a platform for resolving international conflicts.

In 2006, The World Economic Forum opened regional offices in Beijing and New York City. It seeks justice and does not rely on any political, party or national interest. The foundation was "committed to improving the state of the world" until 2012, when it enjoyed observer status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council; it was supervised by the Swiss Federal Commission. The top management body of the foundation is the board of directors.