The certainty of uncertainty: The Lugano Global Forum opens a new space for dialogue on global disorder.
For two days, Lugano becomes a crossroads of ideas and global visions. The Lugano Global Forum brings together leading figures from government, finance, business, diplomacy, technology, academia, and the media for a private and unconventional exchange on the theme “The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating the New Global Disorder.”
Not a traditional conference, but a high-level dialogue — with no prepared speeches, panels, or staging — designed to foster authentic conversation, free from formalities.
6 Key Insights from the Opening Session
1. Deborah Ross, Democratic Congresswoman from North Carolina, stated:
“The introduction of tariffs will have extremely serious repercussions on U.S. politics. The majority of American citizens wish to maintain strong economic and political ties with European countries. As for the war in Ukraine, Trump hopes for a peace agreement, but he does not seem to have a clear strategy for handling Putin.”
2. Romano Prodi, former President of the European Commission, concluded his remarks by saying:
“American democracy is going through a period of crisis, while in Europe it is essential to strengthen the bond among Member States to avoid being crushed by the world’s great powers. More than ever, a true unity of purpose is needed, especially in matters of politics and defense.”
3. Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic, emphasized in his closing speech:
“The European Union has never appeared as divided as it is today. It is up to individual states to reaffirm their sovereignty. The Union currently lacks the necessary power to exert decisive influence on the global political and economic stage.”
4. Markus Plitsch, CEO of Terra Quantum, observed:
“I do not see great danger in the current use of artificial intelligence. On the contrary, its growth will be extraordinary in the coming years, thanks to integration with quantum computing, which will multiply its potential. But in the future, as with the famous computer ‘HAL’ in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, AI might one day decide to say no to human instruction.”
5. David French, Executive Vice President of the National Retail Federation, expressed
“strong concerns regarding the potential 107% tariffs on Italian pasta and President Trump’s determination to pursue this course.”
6. Martin Wolf, Principal Economic Commentator at the Financial Times, added:
“There is no logic, either economic or political, in imposing tariffs on foreign countries. It is a choice devoid of intellectual and strategic foundation.”
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.
