As the World Economic Forum (WEF) kicks off Tuesday in the snowbound Swiss town ofDavos, more than 40 heads of state and government will be competing to make a lasting impression, for themselves and their countries, among the 2,500 participants. Here are five who will have a head start:Hassan Rouhani
Depending on how things are progressing in another part ofSwitzerland Montreaux, scene of the Syria peace talks Irans president may be just a little distracted during his Davos debut. But the purpose of his trip is to take advantage of the momentum from the Jan. 20 start of the six-month nuclear freeze agreement between Iran and the six world powers. Rouhanis message: As the negotiating parties begin work on a long-term deal, Iran is open for business. It isnt really: most of the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe remain in place. But Rouhanis trip is mostly about optics. Iran, he will be saying, is no longer an international pariah. He delivers a special address on Thursday.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israels prime minister follows Rouhani (a few hours later) with a discussion on Israels economic and political outlook. Netanyahu will keep up his rhetoric about Tehran being an unreliable negotiator. Dont buy the peace deal, he will say, its just a smokescreen that allows Iran to build nuclear weapons. But that message didnt get much traction at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City last fall, where Rouhanis charm offensive won the day. Netanyahu is unlikely to find many takers in Davos.
Enrique Pena Nieto
Mexicos president is one of the WEFs Young Global Leaders, and his country is making a splash at Davos this year. He will be seeking to capitalize on Mexicos growing economy, which has recently become the countrys dominant narrative, overtaking the usual stories about drug cartels and kidnappings. If potential investors are impressed by energy, Pena Nieto will display plenty of it: he will deliver a special address and participate in two panel discussions, all on a single day, Thursday.
Dilma Rousseff
The president of Brazil makes her first appearance in Davos just as tough questions are being asked about her countrys economic prospects. Three years of lackluster growth have some wondering if Brazil should lose its place among the BRICS. There are doubts, too, about the country ability to host soccers World Cup this summer. Top all that off with lingering fears of political unrest, after last years massive street demonstrations. Rousseff delivers a special address on Friday.
Shinzo Abe
Japans prime minister has stirred things up in Asia over the past couple of years. His countrys economy has been doing remarkably well, but Abes aggressive rhetoric and military muscle-flexing has annoyed China and South Korea, while winning some praise from other Asian nations that see Japan as a bulwark against an increasingly militaristic China. The Chinese president and prime minister wont be at Davos, but perhaps South Koreas President Park Geun-Hye will have a cautionary word or two? Abe and Park both speak on Wednesday.
By Business Time
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