A speech by the U.N. chief, economic growth potential in places like China and Russia, the challenges of artificial intelligence and leaders from Spain to Malaysia are set to headline the agenda at the World Economic Forum’s annual event in Davos.

The World Economic Forum, colloquially called "Davos" after the location at which it's hosted in the Swiss mountains, is a yearly meeting of elites.

Officials and business executives at the annual gathering in Switzerland said the fight against global climate change would continue with or without the United States.