WEF 2021 – WEF in Singapore instead of Switzerland – the main thing is exclusive – news

“Life goes on!” – life goes on. That’s one of the theses that WEF founder Klaus Schwab formulated in his latest book on the corona pandemic.

Of course, this also applies to the WEF. If it cannot take place in Switzerland, elsewhere, then the message. The WEF may have grown up in Switzerland: its headquarters are on Lake Geneva and the big annual conference in Davos is the flagship.

Internationally positioned

But the WEF has long positioned itself internationally, with locations in all major economic centers around the world. And the WEF is now using this global presence.

This is what distinguishes this occasion from sports clubs and cultural events: they are locally anchored and must cope with prevailing framework conditions. The WEF has alternative options.

Wake up call for Switzerland

The decision to move the WEF to Singapore may scratch the image of Switzerland as a venue. After all, as far as the frequent printing from abroad, everything works like clockwork in this country. Therefore, the cancellation of next year’s event can also be a wake-up call for saturated Switzerland, sometimes somewhat complacent.

At the same time, the move to Singapore is neither a premiere nor permanent. The WEF has already taken place outside of Switzerland: in 2002 in New York, following the terrorist attacks there.

Exclusive circle

And of course the WEF also knows that Davos and the surrounding mountains are the first to distinguish this event from other gatherings. Participants in business, politics, and science appreciate this uniqueness. Another singularity that cannot be replicated.

Klaus Schwab receives much approval when he writes that in the wake of the pandemic, society should seize the opportunity to abandon past patterns and realign the economy. This is precisely why next year’s meeting is so important.

However, nothing changes in the fact that it is an exclusive circle that is supposed to plan this reboot. In the context of the WEF. Only next year not in Switzerland.

Matthias heim

Business Editor, SRF

Open the person boxClose the person box

Matthias Heim studied economic history. He has worked for Radio SRF since 2007 and has been a business editor since 2016. He specializes in aviation, tourism, traffic, retail and energy.