Davos
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Discours prononcé en anglais. Texte original, non traduit.
Professor Schwab, Mrs Schwab,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
“Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World”: this is the huge task facing us at the WEF Annual Meeting 2018.
Our citizens may rightly expect us to address the big issues in the coming days – however pleasant it is to be here in Davos.
Businesses are thriving in many places. But the challenge for us is greater than ever.
Many people believe that globalisation is creating greater insecurity and a lack of prospects.
Populist and protectionist forces make full use of this.
Indeed: inequality spreads. In times of economic prosperity, the gap between rich and poor grows at a faster rate.
The fruits of an economic upswing are often unfairly distributed.
This calls for a policy of stability. For a society in which everyone gets a fair chance to develop his or her talents. And for the respect of our public institutions and our laws.
Fostering respect for international law has always been a high priority in Swiss foreign policy. Because Switzerland is one of the most globalised nations.
And because we believe that international law and its bodies provide a basis for peace and stability.
Along with international order and economic justice, culture is part of the glue holding our societies together.
In the “Davos Declaration” issued yesterday, the European ministers of culture underlined the value of our cultural heritage for social interactions and the cohesion of our societies.
The Declaration focuses on the built environment. Because it influences our cultural identity and our quality of life.
Over the next few days we will have the opportunity to discuss ways of strengthening international order, overcoming the problems of climate change and mending the fractures in our society.
Thank you all for joining in the discussion. I look forward to some challenging debates.
And the WEF itself deserves our thanks for providing us with this important platform for dialogue.
Thank you for your attention.