United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has cancelled his appearance at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos after falling ill. The UN said the decision was taken after the secretary-general developed a “bad cold” and will leave Switzerland
United Nations Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres has pulled out of this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, citing illness, the UN confirmed on Tuesday.
Guterres was scheduled to address world leaders and business executives at the annual gathering in Switzerland, but those plans have now been shelved. A spokesperson said the UN chief had developed a “bad cold” and would no longer be able to take part in the summit.
“The Secretary-General has unfortunately had to cancel his participation at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos,” UN spokesman Rolando Gomez told reporters in Geneva. He added that Guterres, who was due to speak on Wednesday, is suffering from “a bad cold” and will be leaving Switzerland.
The decision means Guterres will miss a key global forum where issues ranging from geopolitical tensions and climate change to economic uncertainty were expected to dominate discussions. His absence comes as the UN continues to play a central role in multiple international crises, including conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as ongoing climate negotiations.
No further details were provided about the severity of his condition, but the UN indicated that the cancellation was precautionary. Officials did not say whether Guterres would participate virtually or reschedule his appearance at a later date.
The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos draws heads of state, ministers, CEOs and civil society leaders from across the world, making it one of the most high-profile stops on the global diplomatic calendar.
EU chief says India-EU trade deal could be historic ‘mother of all deals’
Separately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union and India are close to finalising a long-awaited free trade agreement, calling it potentially transformative for both economies at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Negotiators are still working out final details, but von der Leyen suggested the proposed pact could be one of the most significant trade deals in recent history.
“There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,” she said during her address.
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The agreement under discussion would cover trade in goods, services and investment between India and the 27-member EU, creating a massive trading bloc and deepening economic ties that have been in negotiation for years. Both sides see it as key to diversifying trade partnerships and reducing reliance on individual markets, especially as global trade faces uncertainty and shifting geopolitical pressures.
Von der Leyen said she plans to travel to India soon after the Davos forum to advance discussions and reinforce the commitment of both parties to concluding the deal.
If finalised, the agreement is expected to reshape trade dynamics, expanding opportunities for Indian exports and opening European markets further, while also aligning standards and regulatory cooperation across key sectors.
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