Mr Gates, who is to attend the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, today said there is reason to be optimistic than ever about the future progress using vaccines to give all children a healthy start to life.

Swiss confederation president Didier Burkhalter, Nestle chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Kofi Annan foundation chairman Kofi Annan and Goldman Sachs International chairman Peter D Sutherland would be among the personalities participating in these sessions.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) report said that short term labour market prospects are not encouraging for many countries.