Activities – The House of Switzerland at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026

21.01.25

Building Resilient Infrastructure for a Changing World

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
14:00-16:00
Location : Nordside

Organized by Holcim with Swiss Re

As climate risks intensify, urban populations grow, and global competition sharpens, the need for resilient, low-carbon infrastructure and resource-efficient business models has become central to economic stability. Rising natural catastrophe losses and shifting geo-economic dynamics are putting pressure on infrastructure systems, supply chains, and energy networks, while demand for circular, future-ready solutions continue to accelerate.
Switzerland—home to world leaders in material innovation and risk expertise—is uniquely positioned to convene global actors at Davos to advance practical solutions for resilient infrastructure worldwide.
This event will bring together key actors shaping the next wave of competitive growth to explore practical pathways that strengthen resilience and enable the use of innovative, climate adapted and circular solutions.

Podium speakers:
Miljan Gutovic, CEO, Holcim
- Ivan Gonzalez, CEO Corporate Solutions, Swiss Re
- Christian Ulbrich, CEO, JLL
- Marni McManus,
Citi Country Officer, Citi Switzerland
Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, President, EPFL

Moderation
Peter Vanham, Editorial Director, Fortune

Contact for public information & event registration:
- Mona Delluc, Global Public Positioning Manager, mona.delluc@holcim.com

Contact for communication & media requests:
Dominic Elliott, Head of External Communications, dominic.elliott@holcim.com

21.01.2026

Foresight-Informed Decision-Making in the Age of AI: Navigating Intelligent Strategy

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
14:30-16:30
Location : Crystal Lounge

Organized by the Policy Planning Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) with the World Economic Forum Global Foresight Network

Exploring how AI can both enhance and complicate strategic foresight—strengthening signal detection and scenario building, while also introducing new risks, biases, and feedback loops.

Introductory remarks
- Jörg De Bernardi, Head of Policy Planning, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of Switzerland

Podium speakers
- Taylor Hawkins, Managing Director, Foundations for Tomorrow
- Ravin Jesuthasan, Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services, Mercer
- Florence Gaub, Director, Research Division, NATO Defense College
- Chris Luebkeman, Director, Strategic Foresight, ETH Zurich

Moderation
Jörg De Bernardi, Head of Policy Planning, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of Switzerland

Contact for public information & event registration & media requests:
- Roland Steininger, Senior Advisor Policy Planning, roland.steininger@eda.admin.ch

Contact for communication & media requests:
- Jörg De Bernardi, Head Policy Planning (FDFA), joerg.debernardi@eda.admin.ch

21.01.2026

The Future Space Economy – Why no Company can Ignore it

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
17:30-19:30
Location : Crystal Lounge

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
- State Secretary Prof. Dr. Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
- Dr. Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

Podium speakers
- Dr. Samantha Cristoforetti, European Space Agency Astronaut
- Dr. Walther Pelzer, Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR
- Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive Officer at UK Space Agency
- Dr. Renato Krpoun Chair of ESA Council at Delegate Level, Head Swiss
- Dr. Jonathan W. Cirtain, Chief Executive Officer and President at Axiom Space

Moderation
- Liv Minder, Deputy Chief Investment Promotion Officer, Switzerland Global Enterprise


Contact for public information & event registration
Laurin Brüniger, Global Consultant - Investment Promotion, invest@s-ge.com
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

22.01.2026

Investing in Quality Unlocking Value in the Built Environment

Thursday, January 22, 2026
08:00-09:30
Location : Nordside

Organized by the Davos Baukultur Alliance with the World Economic Forum and the Swiss Federal Office of Culture

With growth a pressing concern worldwide, delivering high quality buildings and infrastructure is harder than ever. Yet quality shapes how
projects are financed and delivered and how assets perform over time, creating value in the short and long term for businesses, governments
and communities.
This session convenes leaders to examine the business case for quality and chart practical ways to unlock its value through aligned decisions.
Participants will consider steps that strengthen investment and risk management, improve collaboration across sectors and support the
communities these assets serve.

Welcome speech
- Oliver Martin, Head of Baukultur and Davos Baukultur Alliance Chair, Swiss Federal Office of Culture

Moderation
Jeff Meritt, Head of Urban Transformation and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum

Contact for information & event registration:
- Thomas Alexander Selby, Lead, Davos Baukultur Alliance, thomas,selby@weforum.org, +41 79 372 45 18
- Stanislas Hillen, Specialist, Davos Baukultur Alliance, Stanislas.Hillen@weforum.org, +41 79 874 54 69

Contact for communication & media requests:
Thomas Alexander Selby, thomas,selby@weforum.org, +41 79 372 45 18
      

22.01.26

AI for Human Security – Advancing Human Rights in the Digital Age

Thursday, January 22, 2026
08:30-10:00
Location : Crystal Lounge

THE EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED - Organized by Nik Gugger, Chairman of the Swiss Cybersecurity Days, Member of the Council of Europe Sub-Committee on the Rights of Minorities and Human Trafficking in cooperation with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global security landscape. 

This high-level panel examines how AI can strengthen human security and advance human rights — from disrupting human trafficking networks to expanding access to justice in fragile and conflict-affected settings. 

The discussion will address governance, accountability and international cooperation, positioning AI at the nexus of technology, human security and the multilateral order.

Welcome speech
- Nik Gugger, National Council Member,  Member of Council of Europe, Member of the Sub-Committee on the Rights of Minorities

Podium speakers
Simon Strobel, DejaVuAI Inc
- Achim Berg, Bitkom
Bronwen Maddox, Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House
- Nora Wolf, Qatar Centre for Peace and Democracy, QCPD

Moderation
- Matthias K. Boehning, Secretary General, International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)


Entrance only by Invitation

Contact for public information & media requests
- Nik Gugger, info@herzkraftwerk.ch

22.01

Sovereign AI: From open foundation models to real-world impact

Thursday, January 22, 2026
10:30-12:30
Location : Nordside

Organized by EPFL with ETH Zürich

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes economies and societies, the question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to build systems that serve public needs and democratic values. This session brings together experts to address two fundamental challenges: 

The first panel examines why open, transparent, and multilingual AI models matter. Beyond serving as an alternative to closed commercial systems, such models can expand access, promote accountability, and enable innovation anchored in inclusivity. The discussion will highlight the value of openness—not only as a technical choice but as a societal one.

The second panel showcases how private-public collaboration and sovereignty can coexist to deliver real impact. Through a concrete case study, panelists will discuss how privacy-preserving AI infrastructure can transform our lives and advance the common good. 

Together these discussions offer actionable models for building AI that earns trust and creates meaningful society values. 

Welcome speech
- Anna Fontcuberta I Morral, President, EPFL

Podium speakers
Antoine Bosselut, Professor, EPFL 
- Audrey Herblin-Stoop, SVP Public Affairs et Communication, Mistral AI
- Olivier Michielin, Head of Oncology department, University Hospital Geneva 
- Thomas Clozel, CEO, Owkin
- Alix Marxer, General Counsel, WHO Foundation

Moderation: 
Daniel Dobos, Research Director, Swisscom
- Melissa Anchisi, Head of AI Communication, EPFL

Contact for information, event registration & media requests
- Melissa Anchisi, Head of Communication AI, melissa.anchisi@epfl.ch, +41 21 693 42 08

22.01.2026

Regionalization of Trade and Repositioning of Value-Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for foreign companies in India

Thursday, January 22, 2026
11:00-13:00
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?

Welcome remarks:
Ambassador Maya Tissafi, Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan

Opening remarks:
- Assistant State Secretary Martin Saladin, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs


Keynote:
- Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, DPPIT, Government of India


Special remarks:
- Hon’ble Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy, Government of Telangana 

Panel speakers:

- Hon’ble Minister Shridar Babu, Government of Telangana, Ministry of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industry and Commerce or Ms. Nivruti Rai, CEO Invest India
- Mr. Bhargav Dasgupta, Vice President Asian Development Bank
- Mr. Stefan Brupbacher, CEO Swissmem
- Hon’ble Minister Isabelle Moret, Canton de Vaud


Closing remarks:
- Anja Fiedler, CEO designate Switzerland Global Enterprise

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

22.01

The AI Impact Summit as a road to open and inclusive AI governance

Thursday, January 22, 2026
13:30-15:30

Organized by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) with the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)

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
Thomas Schneider, Head of International Relations, OFCOM
- Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of MeitY (Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology); Director General of National Informatics Centre (NIC); CEO of IndiaAI
- Katharina Frey, Executive Director ICAIN
- Martin Tisné, CEO of AI Collaborative; Founder and Chair of Board of CurrentAI

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

22.01

Restoring Human Function: Through Neurotechnology & Rehabilitation Innovation

Thursday, January 22, 2026
14:00-16:00
Location : Crystal Lounge

Organized by EPFL

Advances in neurotechnology and rehabilitation engineering are redefining what is possible for people with neurological injuries and disorders. Breakthroughs across research, clinical translation, and industry now offer new opportunities to restore sensory, cognitive, and motor functions once thought irreversibly lost. This session will examine how cutting-edge neurotechnologies can move from the lab to scalable, accessible solutions worldwide, while also integrating the ethical, societal, and regulatory considerations essential for responsible global deployment.

Welcome speech
- Stéphanie Lacour, Vice Presidency for Support to Strategic Initiatives, EPFL

Panel speakers
Carolina Aguilar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer INBRAIN Neuroelectronics
- Friedhelm Hummel, Full Professor, EPFL
Stéphanie Lacour, Vice President for Support to Strategic Initiatives, EPFL
Erwin Böttinger, Director, Wyss Center

Moderation
Stéphanie Lacour, Vice President for Support to Strategic Initiatives, EPFL

Contact for public information & event registration
Margot Zbinden, Project Manager, margot.zbinden@epfl.ch, + 41 75 434 27 97

Contact for communication & media requestsCorinne Feuz, Deputy Director of Communication and Spokesperson, corinne.feuz@epfl.ch