Suddenly Heavy Flu, UN Secretary-General Batal to Attend WEF Davos amid Trump Threat Tensions

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has canceled plans to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, due to a severe flu.

"The Secretary-General is currently near Geneva, Switzerland, where he met with his special and personal representatives and envoys. After this meeting, he will return to New York and has canceled his trip to Davos due to a severe flu," said Guterres spokesman Farhan Haq, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, January 20.

Davos is the informal name for the WEF meeting, which is held every January as a major global meeting where political leaders, heads of global companies, academics, and public figures discuss economic, geopolitical, and social issues.

This year's summit comes amid rising diplomatic tensions after a series of moves by US President Donald Trump rattled allies and European diplomats ahead of the meeting.

Last week, the White House announced the formation of a new council to "play a critical role in fulfilling" Trump's 20-point plan to permanently end Israel's war in Gaza and rebuild the territory.

The council will also "provide strategic oversight, mobilize international resources, and ensure accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development."

The US also formed a National Committee for Gaza Administration to implement the second phase of the Trump Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, along with the founding Executive Council and the Gaza Executive Council to support the transition framework.

Trump has invited additional heads of state and government to join the council, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Separately, Trump last week said Washington would impose tariffs on products from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1, at 10 percent and rising to 25 percent in June due to their rejection of the US plan on Greenland.

The US president said the measures would remain in place until an agreement was reached for the US to "fully and completely" purchase the Arctic island territory from Denmark, citing national security concerns and claiming "world peace is at stake."

Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Danish Realm, has attracted US interest because of its strategic location and mineral resources, but both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any sale proposals, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.