The annual World Economic Forum opens today (Thursday) in New York City amid tight security.

The five-day gathering will bring together heads of governments, corporate leaders and members of non-governmental agencies at a hotel (the Waldorf-Astoria) in mid-town New York.

The forum, which has been held for three decades in the Swiss resort town of Davos, was moved to New York this year to show support for the city after the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Participants plan to discuss security and economic issues in light of the attacks. Other topics include sustainable development and measures designed to reduce poverty.

Police have tightened security around the hotel, erecting concrete barricades and closing down streets in the area.

Anti-global activists say planned protests during the forum will be peaceful.

(CNN, BBC, www.weforum.org, prev)

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