World Economic Forum 2019: What to expect from this year's summit

LONDON -- The world's most rich and powerful business and political leaders will descend on Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, as the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum begins.

The annual summit in the Swiss Alps takes place over four days. Celebrities, academics and members of the media are often invited to promote causes they support.

President Donald Trump was the main attraction in 2018 but will not be attending this year.

"Out of consideration for the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay and to ensure his team can assist as needed, President Trump has canceled his delegation's trip to the World Economic Forum," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

While the forum may be helpful in setting a general agenda, the jury is still out over how much influence it actually has.

"They're not going to be able to reign in Donald Trump's protectionist tendencies - that's just not going to happen," Behravesh said. "But they could provide a forum of discussion on the benefits of globalization."

He continued, "As to how much influence they have on, whether it's Donald Trump, or the Leavers in terms of Brexit, or the Italian populist coalition, or the Yellow Jackets, I don't think they're going to have much influence. Partly because they're viewed as not representing the people who are left behind, to put it bluntly. It's a very risky situation - let's hope the world leaders don't mess it up."