Swiss Economic Forum 2024 - Successful 26th edition in Interlaken

The Swiss Economic Forum took place on 6 and 7 June 2024 with 1,350 participants and around 70 speakers from the worlds of business, politics and science. Under the motto ‘Determination and Resilience’, the focus was on the current challenges facing the Swiss economy and the role of SMEs.

Highlights included contributions from President Viola Amherd, Sanna Marin, the former Prime Minister of Finland, and Michael R. Pompeo, the 70th US Secretary of State. Inspiring insights were also provided by personalities such as Thomas Schäfer (Volkswagen), Lia Wälti (professional footballer) and Eleonore Poli (analogue astronaut).

Viola Amherd, Federal Councillor, spoke at SEF.2024 about the tense global situation and the challenges facing Switzerland. She emphasised the instability caused by the war in Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel: ‘The global situation is more unstable and tense than it has been for decades.’

In an interview with Urs Gredig, Pompeo said that the West must deter Putin with the financial consequences of the war in Ukraine and further invasions. ‘We must not behave defensively, but go on the offensive.’

Thomas Schäfer spoke about the challenges facing the electric car industry. He recognised a crisis due to high electricity prices and changes to the funding framework in Europe. Cooperation between industry, politics and society is crucial for the mobility transition, he said. ‘The high electricity prices are reducing our competitiveness.’

‘Women's football is more honest. We spend less time on the ground.’
Wälti spoke about the challenges of injuries. A knee operation kept her from playing, but she sees such phases as an opportunity to come back stronger. Her passion for sport remains unbroken. Even in kindergarten, she preferred to play with her foot rather than her hand.