The House of Switzerland at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026
January 20th to January 22nd, 2026
In 2026, Switzerland will once again be officially represented by a House of Switzerland during the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. For three days, the House of Switzerland will host a meeting space for official talks and informal exchanges between members of the Federal Council, the Swiss delegation and international guests and partners.
With its thematic events and meetings, the House of Switzerland helps to promote Switzerland's foreign policy interests and present Switzerland as an innovative and reliable country whose expertise makes a key contribution to overcoming global challenges.
At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, representatives from politics, business, science and civil society from over 100 countries come together in the heart of the Swiss Alps to discuss current global issues. For the Federal Council and the Swiss delegation, the Annual Meeting is a unique opportunity to meet and strengthen ties with public and private actors from around the world. The House of Switzerland acts as a key communication and networking hub for official Switzerland.
From 20 to 22 January 2026, Presence Switzerland of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), in collaboration with various institutional partners, is offering a diverse programme of events at the House of Switzerland Davos focusing on foreign policy topics. The programme is in keeping with the motto of the WEF's 56th Annual Meeting: 'A Spirit of Dialogue'.
The programme begins on Tuesday 20 January 2026, with an event organised by Switzerland's National Cyber Security Centre on the strategic and security-policy significance of new technologies. In parallel to this, the Canton of Basel-Stadt is organising an event on the global value chain in the pharmaceutical industry. The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva will then host a panel on the challenges and opportunities of the 'new era of multilateralism' and discuss how Geneva is using its expertise for more effective international cooperation.
On Wednesday 21 January 2026, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is organising an event examining how new approaches and financing models can foster resilience and ensure quicker and long-lasting responses to humanitarian crises. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy will be addressing how to ensure sufficient energy supply in the long term. In the afternoon, an event organised by the FDFA's Policy Planning Division will examine the use of AI as a method of strategic foresight. The event organised by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will explore the future of human spaceflight, commercial space stations and sustainable growth in the space economy.
On Thursday 22 January 2026, there will be an event focusing on Apertus, Switzerland's first large language model, which contributes to transparent, generative AI. This will be followed by an event on global AI governance and the upcoming AI Impact Summit, organised by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The Swiss embassy in India will discuss the ongoing development of international value chains with a special focus on India. In the afternoon, the House of Switzerland, in collaboration with the WEF, will once again welcome the Global Shapers Community – a committed network of young people from around the world who work to find collective solutions, achieve sustainable change and shape policy in their local hubs and beyond.
Information on other themed events at the House of Switzerland as well as details and registration information can be found in the programme.
The House of Switzerland at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos is made possible by a long-standing cooperation with the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL). The FOBL contributes its experience in the areas of spatial design, logistics, and event and access management, as well as providing personnel support.
The House of Switzerland, located in the Eisstadion in the heart of Davos, offers a rich and varied programme. It is not only geographically, but also symbolically at the centre: as a place of exchange, as a meeting place for today's and tomorrow's decision-makers, and as a forge for ideas and innovations in an open and welcoming environment.
How to reach the House of Switzerland:
The event takes place here
Davos Hockey Stadium
Activities – The House of Switzerland at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026
New Space Economy: Swiss research and cooperation with Japan and other countries
Tuesday, January 20, 202619:00-21:00
Location : Crystal Lounge
Organized by the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce (SJCC)
The world is on the edge of an industrial revolution. In the future, companies will not only conduct research in space but also manufacture products there. Space research brings together fields such as Earth science, materials science, biology, medicine and physics. Its innovative potential is significant, leading to new industrial and commercial applications with enormous economic prospects.
The SJCC presents the New Space Economy in the context of Swiss and international research and cooperation, with a focus on collaboration with Japan and other countries. The event features prominent speakers from Switzerland, Japan and USA.
Welcome speech
- Martin Herb, President SJCC
Podium speakers
- Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Stark, Vice President Research UZH
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Oliver Ullrich, Chairman Director Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA)
- Marshall Smith, CEO, Starlab Space LLC
- Kohei Okamura. Director of Business Development, Starlab Space LLC (secondee from Mitsubishi Corporation
Moderation
- Martin Herb, President SJCC
Contact for public information, event registration & media requests
- Arisa Takata Herb, Director SJCC, info@sjcc.ch, +41 78 847 34 15
Engaging the private sector in humanitarian contexts
Wednesday, January 21, 202610:00-13:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with the World Economic Forum (HRI) and the Global Shapers Community
Humanitarian assistance is higher in demand than ever. How can new approaches and financing models foster resilience and ensure quicker and long-lasting responses to humanitarian crises?
The reliance on grants and donations to respond to humanitarian crises is no longer sufficient nor appropriate to foster long term resilience of affected populations. An approach that harnesses and incorporates the strengths of all actors, including the private sector, is needed.
Businesses can provide not only funding but also expertise, technology and deliver goods and services to address humanitarian needs in a swifter, more impactful and long-term way. Such an approach draws on impact-linked financing models that encourage cross-sector partnerships between the public and private sector.
Welcome speech
- Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
Podium speakers
- Sheba Crocker, Managing Director, WEF (representing the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing Initiative - HRI)
- Philipp Navratil, CEO, Nestlé S.A.
- Tim Radjy, CEO and founder, AlphaMundi
- Josie Lianna Kaye, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Trust Works
Moderation
- Christian Frutiger, Ambassador, Vice Director General SDC
Contact for public information & event registration:
Graf Susanna, Senior project management Communication Management SDC, susanna.graf@eda.admin.ch, +41 79 203 74 30
Redefining Energy Security
Wednesday, January 21, 202610:00-13:30
Location : Crystal Lounge
Organized by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), Swissmem, the Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), and ETH Zurich THE EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED
As global electricity demand is projected to increase considerably, vulnerabilities in supply chains are becoming a major risk – particularly for renewable energy generation, critical grid equipment and storage solutions. Dependence on specific suppliers, combined with the scarcity of certain materials and human capital, is generating supply chain bottlenecks. This situation is further exacerbated by the current uncertain geopolitical landscape and state budgetary constraints.
This discussion will explore how governments, industries, research institutions and investors can collaborate to secure and diversify supply chains, foster resilient technology ecosystems in the energy sector and jointly identify the right policy and investment instruments. By presenting concrete examples of pioneering actors from Switzerland and abroad, the discussion will examine the role of trade, industrial strategy, public-private partnerships, and innovation cooperation in shaping a secure energy future.
Welcome impulse
- Albert Rösti, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Switzerland
Opening Impulse
- Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency IEA
Podium speakers
- Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, President ETH Lausanne
- Gina Domanig, Managing Partner and CEO, Emerald Technology Ventures
- Others
Closing Remarks
- Benoît Revaz, Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Moderation
- Chris Luebkeman, Dr., Leader of the Strategic Foresight Hub, Office of the President, ETH Zurich
Contact for information & media requests
- Dylan Jaton, Federal Council and Parliamentary Affairs Specialist, dylan.jaton@bfe.admin.ch
The Future Space Economy – Why no Company can Ignore it
Wednesday, January 21, 202610:30-12:30
Location : Nordside
Organized by the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation SERI and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)
The event will address how the fast‑growing space economy is not only relevant across industries but must also integrate the principle of sustainability to ensure long‑term benefits for business and society. Themes will include the future of human spaceflight and commercial space stations as platforms for research, innovation, and cross‑sector collaboration. The aim is to bring together space and non‑space actors, highlight Switzerland’s capabilities in the space sector, and position Switzerland as an attractive location for space companies. The event will conclude with networking to enable exchanges among participants.
Welcome speech
- Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
- Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General
Podium speakers
- Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
- Walther Pelzer, Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR
- Paul Bate, Chief Executive Officer at UK Space Agency
- Jonathan Cirtain, Chief Executive Officer at Axiom Space
Moderation
- Liv Minder
- Renato Krpoun
Contact for public information & event registration
Laurin Brüniger, Global Consultant - Investment Promotion, lbrueniger@s-ge.com, +41 77 477 77 52
Apply for a seat: Link
Contact for communication & media requests:
- Teresa Rudolph, Scientific Advisor for Space Policy and Support, teresa.rudolph@sbfi.admin.ch, +41 79 481 56 20
Regionalization of Trade and Repositioning of Value-Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for foreign companies in India
Thursday, January 22, 202611:00-13:00
Location : Crystal Lounge
Organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in India, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)
The international trade system of the GATT/WTO era is under pressure. Many major economic powers implement policies which aim at getting investments instead of strengthening trade relations.
The result is a regionalization (near-shoring) of supply chains. New countries like India offer foreign companies not only the ability to produce at lower cost but also access to new markets through its growing net of FTAs. The question that arises is: 1) What opportunities and risks arise from this for companies and countries?
In addition, and from a geopolitical perspective, what does it mean for India. India plays a central role, not only economically but also politically, between the West and China and is also the Global South’s advocate. How do these economic and political changes relate to India's geopolitical positioning?
Contact for public information & event registration:
Florin Müller, Head Swiss Business Hub India, florin.mueller@eda.admin.ch, +91 86578 83457
Contact for media requests:
Deeksha Sharma, Communication specialist, Embassy of Switzerland in India, deeksha.sharma@eda.admin.ch,
+91 88606 91235
The AI Impact Summit as a road to open and inclusive AI governance
Thursday, January 22, 202613:30-15:30
Organized by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
The session sets the tone for the upcoming 2026 AI Impact Summit in India. As the influence and diffusion of AI broadens, there is growing recognition that both the challenges and the opportunities of AI need to be addressed in a globally coordinated manner. The Summit will be a defining moment for shaping global AI governance to respond to this task.
The session aims to explore how the AI Summit in India can contribute to an emerging framework of international dialogue on AI governance and ways in which it might shape global norms, foster cooperation and advance open, transparent and inclusive processes. The discussions should highlight the overall ambition of the AI Impact Summit and give insights into the ongoing work that is being advanced in three of the seven Chakras (Inclusion for Social Development, Safe and trusted AI and Democratizing AI Resources).
The session also aims to highlight the strategic partnership between India and Switzerland, highlighting the complementary strengths of our two countries and how it can accelerate an inclusive AI governance. India has established itself as the driving force behind a new global vision for equitable, inclusive and trusted AI, rooted in the country’s leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure, its G20 Presidency legacy, and its role as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South. Switzerland complements this with its capacities and skills as a trusted multilateral convenor and steward of global governance ecosystems. Building on their respective strengths, India and Switzerland are working in tandem to advance global AI governance, ensuring continuity and carrying the momentum of the 2026 AI Impact Summit in New Delhi forward into the 2027 AI Summit in Geneva.
Welcome speech
- Albert Rösti, Federal Councillor, Head of Department of Transport, Energy and Communications
Podium speakers
- Ambassador Thomas Schneider, Head of International Relations, OFCOM
- Others to be confirmed
Closing remarks
- Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Moderation
- Ayisha Piotti, Head of Zurich AI Policy Summit
Contact for public information & event registration:
- Elisabeth Stingelin, elisabeth.stingelin@eda.admin.ch
Contact for communication & media requests:
- Andrin Eichin, andrin.eichin@bakom.admin.ch
