A New Swiss Platform for International Dialogue, LGF 2025 Opens November 10th Lugano, Switzerland

The Lugano Global Forum is pleased to announce the appointment of five eminent thought leaders to its International Advisory Board. Their global perspective and strategic expertise—in diplomacy, global commerce, media, humanitarian logistics, and digital innovation—will guide the Forum as it advances its mission to become a leading platform for rigorous, independent dialogue on the world’s most urgent geopolitical, economic, and AI-related challenges.

This announcement comes as Lugano prepares to host the inaugural Lugano Global Forum on 10–11 November 2025—an invitation-only gathering to be held annually in the city—bringing together approximately 150 global leaders from economics, geopolitics, technology, media, and finance. Confirmed headline speakers include Romano Prodi, Václav Klaus, Martin Wolf, Bill Emmott, and Marion Jansen, alongside prominent figures from academia, government, and the innovation ecosystem. The Lugano Global Forum 2025 Theme: “The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating the New World Disorder.”

International Advisory Board — New Appointments

• Ambassador Bernardino Regazzoni (Lugano) A senior Swiss diplomat and former Ambassador to China, Mongolia, and North Korea (2019–2022), with previous postings in France, Italy, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Ambassador Regazzoni brings deep, first-hand insight into European and Asian diplomacy and international relations at a time of shifting global power dynamics.

• David French Executive Vice President, Chief Lobbyist, National Retail Federation (Washington, D.C.). As the chief lobbyist for the world’s largest retail association, Mr. French represents leading U.S. retailers with combined annual sales exceeding USD 5 trillion. His perspective is central to shaping U.S. and global policy on trade, taxation, supply-chain security, consumer markets, and the digital economy.

• Antonio Di Bella Veteran journalist and television executive, former Director of TG3 and Rai News 24 (Rome). With more than four decades across New York, Paris, and Rome, Mr. Di Bella brings unparalleled experience in global media, public communication, and international political reporting.

• Lynn Fritz Founder of the Fritz Institute (San Francisco) and a pioneer of modern just-in-time logistics, Mr. Fritz has helped reshape global crisis-response systems by applying private-sector precision to humanitarian action. He has worked with the Red Cross, the United Nations, and USAID to strengthen efficiency and resilience in international relief operations.

• Massimo Volpe Founder & CEO of Retail Hub, a leading retail-tech innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and major corporations across Europe and the United States (London). Mr. Volpe enhances the Forum’s focus on technology-driven transformation in global commerce and consumer behaviour.

“This high-caliber International Advisory Board reinforces the Lugano Global Forum’s commitment to establishing a setting where depth of thought, intellectual independence, and constructive dialogue prevail over spectacle,” said Alan Friedman, Executive Director of Lugano Global Forum.

The Forum is organized in collaboration with the City of Lugano and with its Academic Partner, USI – Università della Svizzera italiana, which will host the second day, with a special closing session dedicated to students and the academic community.

The Lugano Global Forum is an annual, invitation-only gathering in Switzerland that brings together global leaders in government, finance, business, technology, academia and media to explore the forces reshaping our world.

Designed as a private and intimate dialogue — a conversation, not a conference — the Forum convenes senior decision-makers and thought-leaders for strategic insight, independent perspective and high-level exchange.

With the support of the City of Lugano and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), LGF offers a unique Alpine setting for serious reflection on geopolitics, the world economy, innovation and global change.

Our mission is to foster clarity, understanding and informed leadership in an age of uncertainty.
Our community is selective.
Our conversations are meaningful.
Our ambition is global.

Today, we find ourselves facing a New World Disorder, with trade wars and hot wars from Ukraine to the Middle East. The United States is rapidly changing, and Europe is trying to adjust just as quickly. Geopolitical shocks abound. A new period of global instability is upon us. New and emerging economies from the Global South and BRICS nations are challenging the G7 for leadership of the world economy.
The world economy and trading system are undergoing severe stress. China may emerge as the main beneficiary of Trump’s trade wars. Europe is meanwhile facing an existential crisis, a weak economy, and an aggressive Russia on its doorstep.

How can one navigate such a volatile environment?
What is the impact on financial markets and the macro economy?
Who are the main players of this process and how are they acting?
What are the best case and worst case scenarios for the near-term?

Dedicated to Better Understanding Our Rapidly Changing World