One of the world’s most-mysterious meetings will take place this week at Bilderberg, with conspiracy theorists aflutter over what really takes place.
Theorists claim those in attendance at the meeting have the power to start wars and run world affairs. Other conspiracy theorists connect Bilderberg to the Illuminati, the Freemasons and even the death of Princess Diana. Theories have stemmed from the secret nature of the conference. Security is heavy, journalists are not invited and participants are forbidden from talking about the discussions.
Furthermore, the event is held under the Chatham House Rule which means participants are free to use information gleaned at the event but cannot identify or affiliate the speaker or any other participant.
Officially, the private nature of the meetings is ensured so those attending can say what they think about real world issues rather than stating party policy or hiding behind red lines.
But this hasn’t stopped theorists claiming that the group are a shadow world government and are pursuing setting up the New World Order.
Conspiracy theorist Pat Robertson published a book in 1991 titled New World Order in which he claimed that the group are in control of events from behind the scenes.
Daniel Estulin has also written about the yearly meeting, claiming that the Bilderberg Group’s main objective is to control the natural resources of the planet and that the group have been making major political, economic and social decisions since their launch.
Starting in 1954, the meeting has been conducted in a different five-star hotel every year. The event is made up of around 120 invited guests from the fields of industry, finance, labour, academia and the media. Two-thirds of guests are from Europe and a third come from the United States.
The Bilderberg website states: “The meeting has one main goal: to foster discussion and dialogue. There is no desired outcome, there is no closing statement, there are no resolutions proposed or votes taken, and the organisation does not support any political party or viewpoint.”
Former British attendees to the event include Royals such as Prince Phillip and Prince Charles as well as a string of Prime Ministers, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Margaret Thatcher.
House of Lords member Andrew Adonis heads up the UK attendees for 2019, alongside others such as Bank of England governor Mark Carney and HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker.
This years event will see the discussion of topics such as the future of capitalism, Brexit, social media and cyber threats.
Bilderberg says: “Throughout the years the annual meetings have become a forum for discussion on a wide range of topics - from trade to jobs to technology, from monetary policy to investment and from ecological challenges to the task of promoting international security.
“In the context of a globalised world, it is hard to think of any issue in either Europe or North America that could be tackled unilaterally.”
