The World Economic Forum opened on Wednesday in the Swiss resort of Davos in the presence of nearly 2,500 leading representatives of the political and business elites.

Organizers said the forum main theme is to start the fourth industrial revolution. However, the participants in the forum will also discuss a number of pressing political and economic issues, including an unprecedented drop in oil prices, the lifting of sanctions against Iran and the terrorist threat.

Opening the forum, its founder and chairman Professor Klaus Schwab offered each of its participants to bring home at least one "transformation" idea that will help to change the world.

More than 40 heads of state and government, including the presidents of Germany, Switzerland, Afghanistan, South Africa and Mexico and the prime ministers of Britain, France, Greece, Canada and Argentina were expected to attend.