DAVOS, Switzerland - The global economy has regained steam after a difficult COVID-19 pandemic, but experts at the World Economic Forum (WEF) say a recovery is far from certain.

Under the theme "Cooperation in a Fragmented World," the WEF's 2023 annual meeting concluded here on Friday. The gathering came amid unprecedented global challenges such as high inflation, an energy crisis, climate change and geopolitical conflict.

The global economic outlook might not be as bad as previously feared, with China's optimized COVID-19 measures expected to boost growth, said the IMF chief on Friday.

Speaking during a closing panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the world's economic prospect is not as bad as a couple of months ago, but "less bad does not quite yet mean good".

DAVOS, Switzerland -- With increased investment in the green energy sectors, China will contribute very positively to global growth, said participants at the Davos meeting.

During this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, which opened on Monday, climate change was among the top concerns for participants, with China's role in the world's transition to green energy entering the spotlight.

DAVOS, Switzerland - In the face of a volatile global economy, decades-high inflation and geopolitical conflict, the prospects for Chinese economic growth have become a hot topic here at the ongoing annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Under the theme "cooperation in a fragmented world," many attendees said they believe that China's optimization of its COVID-19 response will lead to more robust and prosperous growth and contribute to the recovery of the global economy.

DAVOS, Switzerland - China is expected to play an important role in helping boost global economic growth, said Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi minister of industry and mineral resources on Wednesday, commenting on China's economic performance in the coming years.

Despite the "not very positive" global economic outlook overall, "China has always been very impressive in dealing with challenges. I'm quite optimistic on the outcome," Alkhorayef told Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF).

Rapid transformation sets benchmark for speed of change

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has championed the country's fast transition toward renewables amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and declared that Germany is no longer dependent on Russian energy supplies, during a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss resort of Davos on Wednesday.

DAVOS, Switzerland -- The head of the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday that he expected China's economy to perform better this year coupled with a rise in demand for oil and gas. He also highlighted the leading role China plays in green technologies.

"China today is the biggest driver of clean energy technologies," IEA chief Fatih Birol told Xinhua at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that China is the world's number one in solar, wind, electric cars and new nuclear facilities.

Vice-Premier Liu He met with United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday, for talks that were seen as improving bilateral relations while finding ways for China and the US to work together on tackling global challenges.

Both countries agreed to enhance communication on macroeconomic and financial issues, according to a joint statement released after the talks. The statement described the first face-to-face meeting between the two as "substantive, candid and pragmatic".

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday and, during a question session, said: "The question of climate together with the question of biodiversity is an existential threat that today is very close to a tipping point that makes catastrophes totally irreversible."

Video by Han Jing.

DAVOS, Switzerland - The head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) warned at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here on Wednesday that the ongoing food crisis is likely to continue this year.

"For 2023, we're not expecting a better situation than for 2022. Some of the shortcomings in the global supply chains that we have seen in 2022 will have an impact in 2023," IFAD President Alvaro Lario told Xinhua.

ZURICH, Switzerland - Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, also chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue, held talks with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen here on Wednesday.

Focusing on the implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their meeting in Bali, the two senior officials had professional, in-depth, candid and practical exchanges on the macroeconomic and financial situation of the two countries and the whole world as well as on addressing common global challenges. The talks were constructive.

DAVOS, Switzerland - United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for bridging the divides plaguing the world and restoring trust in his address at the World Economic Annual Meeting 2023 here.

The world faces interlinked challenges and "the gravest levels of geopolitical division and mistrust in generations," he said, noting that "we need to bridge all these divides and restore trust."

The World Economic Forum kicked off on Monday, with PwC Global Chairman Bob Moritz discussing his optimism for China's economy at the "Big Four" accounting firm's Annual Global CEO Survey press briefing.

Video by Brian Chang.

DAVOS, Switzerland - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on business leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos to follow the principles outlined by an expert group to make "credible", accountable net-zero pledges.

DAVOS, Switzerland -- The Chinese economy is heading for strong growth in 2023, Vice President of the New Development Bank Leslie Maasdorp said at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.

Maasdorp said in an interview with Xinhua that China's recent decision to lift COVID-19 restrictions will drive economic growth, which in turn will have a snowball effect on other aspects of the economy such as consumption.

Vice-premier Liu He has said China is "confident" that growth will most likely return to its normal trend, and the country's economy will "see a significant improvement" in 2023.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Liu called for international cooperation, a global response to climate change, and the placing of economic development as the "primary and central task".

At the invitation of Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, Vice-Premier Liu He attended the meeting at Davos on Jan 17 and made a special address.

"How to strengthen cooperation in a fragmented world is a real problem we all face. We must dig deep into the causes of fragmentation, promote positive-sum games, identify the possible converging areas of cooperation, and explore the mechanisms for doing so," he said.

DAVOS, Switzerland - The head of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here on Tuesday that she was optimistic about China's economic performance this year and that the country's contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 was crucial.

"China is a dynamic, fast-moving and fast-growing economy. It plays an important role in the global economy. We want to see Chinese businesses contribute even more, not only to China's development but to the SDGs," Sanda Ojiambo, assistant secretary general and chief executive officer (CEO) of the UNGC, told Xinhua in an interview.

Davos: Liu's attendance helps build cooperation

Vice-Premier Liu He said on Tuesday that China is confident growth will likely return to its normal trend this year and the country's economy will "see a significant improvement".