World Economic Forum 2016
The authorities of the Canton of Graubünden, Davos and the Confederation will be providing continuous and objective information on their policy regarding the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016 in Davos. The following information regarding the WEF Annual Meeting comes from the various agencies and authorities concerned.
1. General information
Between 20 and 23 January, around 2,500 participants from the fields of business, politics, research and culture from around 90 countries will travel to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016. The event in Davos will be covered by some 500 journalists reporting for domestic and foreign news outlets.
For more information on the theme and programme of the Annual Meeting go to http://www3.weforum.org/docs/AM16/AM16_MeetingOverview.pdf.
2. Importance
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is one of the most important economic and socio-political events in the world. Each year, countless influential politicians, business leaders and scientists from many countries around the world come to Davos. For about a week Davos, Graubünden and Switzerland are the focal point of national and international media attention.
The Federal Council considers the WEF Annual Meeting to be an exceptional event for Switzerland as it provides a unique opportunity to cultivate relations with a great many leading figures in a special setting. It is an outstanding privilege for Switzerland to be able to host this forum for exchanging views and seeking solutions to world problems, and therefore to continue Switzerland’s longstanding tradition of serving as a host country for international conferences and gatherings.
3. Costs and benefits
The additional costs to the public authorities for security at the WEF Annual Meeting amount to around CHF 8 million. These costs are split between the partners as follows: Canton of Graubünden: CHF 2m, Davos: CHF 1m, Confederation: CHF 3m, WEF: CHF 2m; the details are set out in the Dispatch on the Federal Decree on the deployment of the armed forces to support the canton of Graubünden with security measures at the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings 2016–2018 in Davos and other security measures (BBl 2015 2033).
The three-level finance model for security costs has generally been applied since 2004:
Level 1: (Normal deployment)
The finance model sets a cost ceiling of CHF 8 million for each annual meeting.
- Canton of Graubünden: CHF 2 million
- Davos: CHF 1 million
- Confederation: CHF 3 million
- WEF: CHF 2 million
- Cost ceiling: CHF 8 million
The federal government’s share amounts to 3/8 of the overall costs of security at the WEF; due to the cost ceiling, however, this sum is limited to a maximum of CHF 3 million per annum.
Level 2: (raised threat to security)
In the event that the cost ceiling for security costs of CHF 8 million per annual meeting is exceeded, the federal government will make available additional funds not exceeding CHF 750,000 to cover the three annual meetings in the period 2016-2018.
Level 3: (exceptional threat to security)
In the event of exceptional incidents (e.g. terrorist attacks, assassination attempts on politicians or business leaders, major threats of such acts), the Confederation will cover 80% of the costs of additional arrangements required for internationally protected persons.
The cost to the Canton of Graubünden for the WEF Annual Meeting amounts to around CHF 2 million. The commune of Davos will contribute around CHF 900 000 to the security costs annually until 2018; this amount was approved by voters in Davos on 29 November 2009.
The deployment of the armed forces in support is funded through the normal DDPS budget. Overall, the cost of deploying troops at the WEF is much the same as that incurred by the same battalions when on regular training. In previous years, the deployment of the armed forces has cost an average of CHF 28 million per meeting.
The World Economic Forum is a foundation. In the financial year from July 2014 to June 2015, it reported a turnover of CHF 209 million and a surplus of CHF 0.7 million, which is paid into the foundation capital. In addition, the WEF Annual Meeting generates significant direct and indirect economic effects for Davos, Graubünden and Switzerland as a whole. A study conducted by the Institute for Public Services and Tourism of the University of St. Gallen headed by Prof. Thomas Bieger calculated that the WEF generated additional turnover in 2001 of around CHF 42 million, more than half of which benefitted the canton of Graubünden; for Davos alone the figure was around CHF 23 million. The study can be found at www.wef.gr.ch > Documentation > Bieger Report
4. Security:
A number of agencies from the Confederation, canton and commune and the World Economic Forum work together at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. Responsibility for coordination rests with the WEF committee of the Graubünden government (www.wef.gr.ch) chaired by Cantonal Councillor Jon Domenic Parolini.
The Graubünden cantonal police and its partners ensure the security of visitors to the WEF Annual Meeting, the local population and guests.
The terrorist threat in Switzerland remains high. Despite the attacks in Paris, in the opinion of the Federal Intelligence Service FIS, Switzerland is still not regarded as a priority target for jihadist terrorists. On the other hand, even on Swiss soil, the interests of states participating in the military coalition against the so-called Islamic State face an increased threat. Currently however, the FIS has no specific evidence of threats directed at the WEF Annual Meeting or individual participants or delegations. There will be a more visible police presence at the Annual Meeting, reconnaissance will be intensified and police checks will be increased.
All cantons in Switzerland make personnel and equipment available for maintaining security and for protecting people and property as part of an inter-cantonal police operation. The Federal Assembly has also authorised the deployment of up to 5000 armed forces personnel for civil support duties to assist the canton of Graubünden (www.armee.ch/wef).
Responsibility for two areas of security rests with the Confederation: for internationally protected foreign persons such as heads of state, heads of government or serving members of government, the Federal Security Service will order special protective measures if necessary. These, along with the general security plans, are carried out by the cantonal police and its partners.
The Federal Council has also imposed security restrictions on the airspace over Davos to safeguard air sovereignty. Civilian aircraft may continue to fly through the restricted airspace provided they have been announced and identified. If the need arises, aerial policing measures can be ordered and executed in accordance with international rules and procedures. In addition, helicopter traffic to and from Davos has to be controlled during the WEF Annual Meeting. The restrictions also apply to paragliders, drones, model aircraft, etc. (for further information, see https://www.bazl.admin.ch/wef(not in English) and www.wef.gr.ch in the FAQs).
5. Freedom of opinion and freedom to demonstrate
The authorities of the Confederation and the Canton of Graubünden consider the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to be a place of open dialogue. As such, critical debate on issues such as globalisation and the development of the world economy should therefore be possible. However, the authorities expect the concerns, arguments and proposals of critics to be put forward in a peaceful manner.
The Graubünden authorities are willing, in principle, to authorise a demonstration this year. However, it is essential that requirements to protect people, infrastructure and property are respected.
If a demonstration is held in a town square or involves a march, detailed arrangements have to be made between the organisers and the authorities. Considerations such as traffic routing have to be taken into account, as do the needs of the local population and holiday guests. Requests for authorisation to hold a demonstration must therefore be submitted as early as possible, and no later than 48 hours prior to the planned event.
If a demonstration is held without authorisation, the authorities will take whatever measures are required to ensure the security and freedom of movement of residents and guests, while remaining within the bounds of what is proportionate. Offenders will be prosecuted.
The threshold set for police intervention will be consistent with that applied in previous years, which has proven to be effective. Intervention is appropriate when the law is broken in order to send a clear signal that violence will not be tolerated. The proven strategy of dialogue, de-escalation and firm response within the scope of what is proportionate will continue to be applied. In order to ensure an open and comprehensive briefing of the media and the general public on all aspects of WEF Annual Meetings in Davos, the Graubünden authorities, in cooperation with the commune of Davos and the Confederation, have set up an external media centre as well as the website www.wef.gr.ch.
6. Impact on tourism:
Winter sports in the Davos / Prättigau region are generally not affected during the WEF Annual Meeting. There are no general travel restrictions. Davos is accessible by public transport, by road or on foot.
Precautionary personal, vehicle and baggage checks will however be carried out on all access roads. The primary concern is to prevent any dangerous items, such as firearms and other weapons from being brought into Davos. The checks are intended to protect people attending the conferences, residents and visitors. The Graubünden authorities guarantee that the checks on access routes to Davos will take place quickly and without harassment. However, delays at checkpoints remain possible.
Additional information on the latest travel and traffic situation can be found at www.graubuenden.ch , www.rhb.ch andhttp://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable/rail-traffic-information.html
Within Davos entry restrictions will be in place in certain areas for the duration of the WEF Annual Meeting; these are security zones around the Kongresszentrum / Kongresshotel / Hilton Garden Inn, the Seehof, Intercontinental, Belvédère and Ameron hotels, at the ‘Stilli’ helicopter landing site and at the Parsenn car park (See www.wef.gr.ch for details). Persons resident in the security areas will be issued with personal badges and car discs (cantonal police hotline: +41 (0)81 257 63 97). All other hotels and all shops can be reached without restriction.
