Programme of Federal Councillors attending the WEF Annual Meeting 2010
Bern, 26.01.2010 - The Federal Council believes that the WEF Annual Meeting is extremely important for Davos and for Switzerland as a whole. Each year, leading figures from industry and government gather at the WEF Annual Meeting. It serves as an important venue for the exchange of views on burning topical issues. In view of the current economic crisis and the ongoing challenges faced by the financial markets, the opportunity for such direct contacts among decision makers from government, industry and civil society is extremely valuable.
For the Federal Council, the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos provides a unique opportunity to cultivate relations with a great many leading figures in a special setting. It is an outstanding platform for Switzerland to be able to host this forum for the exchange of views and the search for solutions.
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs(FDEA), will open the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos on 27 January together with Prof. Klaus Schwab.
During her stay in Davos from 27 - 31 January, President Leuthard will take the opportunity to speak with a good dozen heads of state and government from around the world and foster bilateral contacts at the highest level. She will use the occasion to discuss bilateral and international issues such as the world economy and its financial architecture, environment policy and climate change.
On 29 January President Leuthard is inviting the Presidents of the multilateral development banks to an exchange of views on institutional issues in connection with the economic and financial crisis.
On 30 January the president will host an informal ministerial meeting on the WTO Doha Round. The 20 or so ministers expected to attend represent the spectrum of interests within the WTO.
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is planning a range of bilateral meetings to discuss topical international issues and bilateral relations with important partner states. Emphasis will be placed on contacts with her counterparts and figures from neighbouring states and the Islamic world. The latter in particular with a view to defend Switzerland's interests following the adoption of the minaret initiative.
Hans-Rudolf Merz, head of the Federal Department of Finance, will also be present at the Annual Meeting. His meetings in Davos have not yet been finalised.
The head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, will inspect the WEF operations centre of the Graubünden cantonal police on Saturday, 30 January, accompanied by Cantonal Councillor Barbara Janom Steiner. An initial, informal discussion is also planned with the German Defence Minister Dr. Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg.
The WEF Annual Meeting in Davos provides an occasion for many more contacts and discussions. The programme outlined here is therefore subject to last minute changes.
Publisher
Federal Chancellery
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