Closing summary
Time for a recap after a busy day at Davos.
Today’s been largely dominated by environmental concerns, with a side order of anxiety about the world economy and Brexit
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Sir David Attenborough has challenged world leaders to do more to tackle the looming threat of climate change. In an interview with Prince William, the broadcasting legend warned that humans now had the power to exterminate whole communities of living creatures ‘at will’.
Jacinda Ardern has also joined the push; New Zealand’s PM told fellow world leaders to get on the right side of history, and embrace ‘guardianship’ of the earth.
Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has vowed to create a ‘New Brazil’, based around slashing the size of the state.
Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised by environmental activists for his insistence on developing parts of the Amazon rainforest. Greenpeace say the right-winger is one of the main threats to the environment.
With America’s delegation grounded, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed Davos by satellite link.
People are asking questions that haven’t been asked, or taken seriously for an awfully long time.
Brexit is also causing angst in the financial community; Citi’s CEO Mike Corbat has said it will go ‘down to the wire’.
We’ll be back in the morning...
Updated
At least one of the UK’s coach-load full of ministers has been working hard at Davos....
I just spoke to Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister for Trade shortly after he’d met for bilateral talks with Liam Fox. Davies told me South Africa is ready to agree a trade deal with the UK quickly once the UK leaves the EU. #Brexit #BBCDavos2019
— Sally Bundock (@SallyBundockBBC) January 22, 2019
