The WEF also hinted it might not even host the next summit — one it has touted as the “Great Reset” for a virus-hammered global economy — in the Swiss Alpine village of Davos.

The annual January summit has for years offered an idyllic snowy backdrop for meetings of the world's political, economic and business elite.

“The World Economic Forum decided this afternoon to reschedule the annual meeting 2021 in Davos to early next summer,” WEF spokesman Adrian Monck said in a statement.

“The decision was not taken easily, since the need for global leaders to come together to design a common recovery path and shape the 'Great Reset' in the post-COVID-19 era is so urgent. However, the advice from experts is that we cannot do so safely in January.”

Monk said that during the week of January 25, when the 51st summit had been scheduled for, the organisation would “digitally convene high-level 'Davos Dialogues' where key global leaders will share their views on the state of the world in 2021.”

As for the physical event, he said details concerning the dates and location of the rescheduled 2021 summit would be made available “as soon as we are assured that all conditions are fulfilled to guarantee the health and safety of our participants and the hosting community.”