Picture gallery: World Economic Forum

More than 3,000 politicians, business executives and religious leaders have gathered at the World Economic Forum in New York.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Manhattan, throngs of protesters are holding peaceful demonstrations opposing the conference and globalisation.

The floodlit Waldorf Astoria Hotel where the conference is being held

Police line up in riot gear outside the United Nations building in Manhattan

US Secretary of State Colin Powell addresses delegates at the Forum

Mounted police move down 48th Street to take up secure positions

Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani at the opening session

Protesters gather on Fifth Avenue outside a Gap store

Police block a road in midtown Manhattan

Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah talks about re-building the country

Protesters sit on a lawn at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil