President Bharrat Jagdeo has left for Switzerland, where he is expected to join 40 other international leaders for a major economic forum focused on the current world situation.

Jagdeo is the only Caribbean leader scheduled to attend this year's World Economic Forum, which runs from January 28 to February 1 in Davos, Switzerland.

"The significance of the meeting is such that more than 40 heads of state and government have already confirmed their participation in Davos-Klosters, where they will join business leaders as well as non-governmental organisations, trade unions, and experts from a wide range of fields. The meeting will be focused on managing the current crisis and shaping the entire post-crisis agenda, from economic reform to climate change," a release from the organisers said.

Among leaders in attendance will be Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, both of whom are scheduled to address participants on the opening day.

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso are also down to address sessions of the meeting that will also bring together 17 ministers of finance, 19 central bankers, 22 trade ministers, 16 ministers of foreign affairs, 15 ministers of environment and energy, nine EU commissioners and the heads of 30 international organisations.

The meeting will be convened under the theme ÔShaping the Post-Crisis WorldÕ, and will be looking at the immediate crisis and ways to stabilise and re-launch the global economy. The annual meetingÕs programme also pinpoints several inter-related global risks, including climate change, food, and water security. The Forum said the meeting will also consider the institutions that the world needs to cooperate and confront global challenges and will look to improve the ethical value base for business as a constructive social actor. Jagdeo also attended last OctoberÕs World Economic Forum meeting in China.