Edition of the forum

The inaugural edition

10–11 November 2025 Asilo Ciani · Villa Ciani · Aula Magna USI, Lugano

The edition

Where it began

The first Lugano Global Forum was held on 10 and 11 November 2025 across three venues: Asilo Ciani, Villa Ciani and the Aula Magna of the Università della Svizzera italiana.

Two days ran from Romano Prodi’s opening keynote on Europe’s choices to Václav Klaus’s closing address in front of students, taking in the world economy, tariffs, the reconstruction of Ukraine and an early-morning briefing on artificial intelligence.

Programme

Two days, as they happened

14:00 Asilo Ciani

Convening of the Lugano Global Forum

Alan Friedman, Executive Director · followed by the presentation of the 2025 partners

Opening
14:15 Asilo Ciani

Opening keynote — Europe’s Choices in a Rapidly Changing World

President Romano Prodi

Keynote
14:45 Asilo Ciani

Debate on Europe’s Future

President Romano Prodi and President Vaclav Klaus · Moderated by Antonio Di Bella

Debate
15:06 Asilo Ciani

Roundtable — Europe and the New World Disorder

Prof. Vittorio Emanuele Parsi · Amb. Bernardino Regazzoni · Bill Emmott · Moderated by Michèle Volontè

Roundtable
16:05 Asilo Ciani

Keynote — Prospects for the World Economy in an Era of Chaos and Uncertainty

Martin Wolf, Financial Times

Keynote
16:35 Asilo Ciani

Roundtable on the World Economy and Financial Markets

Prof. Giovanni Barone-Adesi · Alex Lasagna · Bill Emmott · Markus Pflitsch · Moderated by Dimitri Loringett

Roundtable
17:00 Asilo Ciani

Keynote — Tariffs, Protectionism and the Mindset of Donald Trump

David French, National Retail Federation · Panel discussion with Martin Wolf at 17:30, chaired by Alan Friedman

Keynote
17:56 Asilo Ciani

Keynote — The Future of World Trade in an Era of Disruptive Change

Dr. Marion Jansen, Director of Trade, OECD

Keynote
18:30 Asilo Ciani

Lugano Fireside Chat — The Reconstruction of Ukraine

Prof. Maksym Melnychuk with Antonio Di Bella

Fireside
19:00 Villa Ciani

Cocktails and dinner

Partner thanks at 20:15 · the evening closes at 21:00

By invitation