The Certainty of Uncertainty: the Lugano Global Forum opens a new space for dialogue on global disorder.
For two days, Lugano transforms into a crossroads of global ideas and visions. The Lugano Global Forum brings together leading figures from government, finance, business, diplomacy, technology, academia, and the media for a confidential and unconventional exchange on the theme “The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating the New Global Disorder.”
Not a traditional conference, but a high-level dialogue — without prepared speeches, panels, or stage sets — designed to foster authentic conversation, free from formalities.
5 Key Insights from the Opening Session
Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times, stated:
“Economic growth will continue: the worst is behind us. However, the real time bomb remains the U.S. public debt, which could eventually push the country to the brink of bankruptcy.”
David French, Executive Vice President of the National Retail Federation, observed:
“If the Supreme Court declares Trump’s tariffs illegitimate, the President will invoke a ‘national security emergency’ to reintroduce them.”
Romano Prodi and Václav Klaus engaged in a heated exchange about Europe’s future, in a dialogue moderated by Antonio Di Bella.
Prodi stated: “The European Union entered a period of paralysis after the French referendum. It is necessary to strengthen it, to give political substance to the Draghi report, otherwise Europe’s very existence will be in danger — squeezed between an ever-stronger China and increasingly less pro-European United States.”
Klaus replied: “The European Union has lost its capacity to act. Only a return to full national sovereignty can guarantee stability and strategic vision.”
Markus Pflitsch, CEO of Quantum Terra, a Swiss leader in quantum computing, declared:
“I don’t see any dangerous bubble in the current use of artificial intelligence. On the contrary, its growth will be exponential in the coming years, driven by integration with quantum computing.”
Maksym Melchyuk, former Governor of the Kyiv Oblast, added:
“The reconstruction of Ukraine can and must start from Switzerland — a neutral country, and a long-standing promoter of pragmatic and positive approaches.”
The inaugural edition features a distinguished lineup, including Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator of the Financial Times; Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist; and Marion Jansen, OECD Director for Trade. The program also includes prominent journalists, diplomats, and scholars such as Antonio Di Bella, Ambassador Bernardino Regazzoni, Bruno Giussani, Vittorio Emanuele Parsi, Laurent Frésard, and Giovanni Barone-Adesi, contributing to a rich, informal, and unfiltered exchange.
Supported by the City of Lugano, the University of Italian Switzerland (USI), and a select group of Swiss sponsors — LGT Bank Switzerland SA, Scavia Gioielli SA, Air Dynamic SA, The View (Paradiso), and Cibodivino — the Lugano Global Forum aims to become a leading Alpine hub for strategic international reflection.
