Lugano, Switzerland — The inaugural Lugano Global Forum opens Monday in Switzerland, launching a new annual gathering designed to bring global decision-makers into direct conversation on the forces reshaping international politics, economics and technology. Conceived as a private, invitation-only meeting, LGF hosts 150 leaders from government, finance, banking, business, diplomacy, technology and academia for two days of high-level, candid dialogue.
The Forum’s first edition presents an outstanding lineup of headline speakers: Romano Prodi, former President of the European Commission; Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic; Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator of the Financial Times; Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist; and Marion Jansen, Director for Trade at the OECD. Distinguished journalists, diplomats and scholars — including Antonio Di Bella, Ambassador Bernardino Regazzoni, Bruno Giussani, Vittorio Emanuele Parsi, Laurent Frésard, and Giovanni Barone-Adesi — complete a programme built for substantive, unscripted exchange.
“Our aim with the Lugano Global Forum is simple: a revealing two days where we get straight to the point,” said Alan Friedman, Director of the Lugano Global Forum. “In a world of accelerating uncertainty, we want to create a space where serious people can speak openly, compare realities and search for clarity. No speeches, no spectacle — just informed conversation.”
Programme Director Barbara Erskine highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme, The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating the New World Disorder. “This theme mirrors LGF’s mission ‘to better understand our rapidly changing world,’” she said. “Our intention is to look beyond headlines and bring decision-makers together for the kind of strategic, nuanced dialogue that is increasingly rare.”
With support from the City of Lugano and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), the Forum seeks to establish a distinctive Alpine venue for international reflection and leadership.
The Lugano Global Forum is supported by a small group of Swiss Founding Sponsors: LGT Banca Svizzera SA, Scavia Gioielli SA, Air Dynamic SA, The View (Paradiso), Cibodivino.
