Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos became a symbol of globalisation, has resigned as chair of its trustees.

The board, which includes ex-U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Jordan's Queen Rania, took note that Schwab created the "leading global platform" for "dialogue and progress" during his 55 years of "relentless leadership at the helm of the Forum."

The World Economic Forum says its founder Klaus Schwab is retiring as chairman. The announcement on Monday comes more than a half-century after Schwab, 87, created the Geneva-based think tank that is best known for hosting an annual meeting of political,