The Middle East will have a significant presence at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum next week, reflecting the growing influence of emerging markets, the organization said on Tuesday. Nearly 3,000 people from more than 130 countries, including 900 business leaders, are expected to attend the annual meeting, which will take place in Davos, Switzerland, from Jan. 20 to 25. The forum has faced repeated criticism from some for being an elite gathering focused on the traditional major powers and big business, but Dusek highlighted the growing presence of leaders from the Global South. The Middle East is expected to play a pivotal role in the discussions, as the forum addresses ongoing conflicts in the region and its future prospects.