More than 100 world leaders and corporate executives will converge upon New York City on Tuesday, as Bill Clinton, former US president, summons some of the world’s most powerful people for his annual philanthropic summit.

The meeting aims to raise money and awareness to tackle global problems related to healthcare, education, climate change and the economy. This year’s gathering of the Clinton Global Initiative will likely have a more sombre tone than the first summit five years ago, as the recession has rocked the world economy.