 Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, and their friends of the World Economic Forum, it is really my honor to welcome you to the World Economic Forum's 54th Annual Meeting. With us in Davos are 3,000 participants from over 125 countries, including 350 heads of state and government and ministers. It is crucial that leaders from the public and private sectors are convening at the start of such a consequential year for all of us. Because the 2024 annual meeting takes place against one of the most complex geopolitical and geoeconomic backdrops in decades. We are seeing a very complicated security landscape and quite the fragile economic outlook still. We are also seeing forces of fragmentation exert pressure on the international system, precisely when cooperation is most needed. We know the most urgent issues that countries and companies face, security, the economy, climate change, cyber potential new pandemics are not confined by borders. They do travel without passports. And the same holds for true opportunities. Frontier technologies can add trillions of dollars to the global economy annually. And our economies can be transformed to be more resilient and equitable. But we can only unlock these benefits by working together. Thankfully, even in today's complex context, cooperation is possible and happening. The World Economic Forum's annual meeting I think is the proof of that. The week ahead and the year ahead will deliver important outcomes of collaboration between business and governments. I'm now very pleased to introduce our Founder and Executive Chairman, Professor Schwab, Der Klaus, the floor is yours. I'm President, dear constituents of the World Economic Forum, dear friends. Today we stand really at a unique juncture in human history, facing challenges that are as diverse as they are profound. The special role of the World Economic Forum is not to look just at one single issue. It is a place where at the beginning of the year, we come together to analyze the state of the world in a systemic and strategic way and hopefully to find common ground to generate positive impact. Geopolitically, our world, as my friend and colleague said, Berge Brinde, geopolitically our world is more interconnected, yet paradoxically, more divided and fragmented than ever. Economically, we grapple with sluggish growth. The very fabric of our societies is inclusiveness, which is in doubt. Environmentally, we confront relentless challenges of climate change, a threat to our planet's delicate balance. And technologically, we navigate uncharted waters where innovation offers boundless opportunities, but also unprecedented risks. Those deeply transformative challenges, which are actually the cornerstone of our program, lead to uncertainty, generalized fear, and pessimism. They force us into a mode of short-term crisis management at the detriment of long-term strategic and sustainable solutions. This reactionary approach undermines our collective faith in the future. And here, we're losing the faith of our future. We risk to become much more ego-centered and on a national and individual level. To break this cycle, we need a paradigm shift. We must rebuild trust, and that's actually the theme of our meeting. We have to rebuild trust. Trust in our future, trust in our capacity to overcome challenges, and most importantly, trust in each other. Trust is not just a feeling. Trust is a commitment to action, to belief, to hope. To achieve this, we must rediscover and embrace a narrative that has driven humanity since its inception, acting as trustees for a better future. This narrative isn't about short-term gains or individual successes. It is about stewardship, about reserving and enhancing our world for current and future generations. It is about understanding that our actions today have far-reaching consequences tomorrow. The concept of trust and trusteeship compels us to think beyond borders and beyond our lifetimes. It encourages collaboration, overcompetition, sustainability, over expediency, and empathy over apathy. As trustees of the future, we are responsible for advancing a world which is richer in possibilities, more equitable in opportunities, and more secure in its foundations. Moreover, as leaders in government, business, and society, we bear a particular responsibility to rebuild trust in how we assume our own role as trustees. The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is not a collective decision-making body, but its impact stems from the new insights gained through dialogue and interaction, and more importantly, from the commitments made by each participant to contribute more significantly in the respective areas of responsibility to solving our most pressing issues. The cornerstone of our program are actually our more than 100 initiatives. Those initiatives are embedded into work programs, bringing together governments, business, and civil society, and the best experts throughout the year. For this annual meeting, while the vibrant atmosphere surrounding our gathering is a testament to its global significance, it is essential that we focus on our mission, committed to improving the state of the world, by engaging into those action-oriented initiatives. The World Economic Forum is not just about us, it's an engagement throughout the year. In conclusion, trust is a fundamental pillar of our social, economic, and political lives. It is vital for cooperation, social cohesion, and effectively functioning institutions. To rebuild trust, there's a fundamental need to embody trust, which means to care for the greater good. Let's use this annual meeting to rebuild trust by exercising our trust individually and collectively for safeguarding the future of humanity and nature. Thank you. Before I now say our foul... We are pleased to now welcome the President of the Swiss Confederation, Biola Emhard, here in Davos. It's not the first time, but it is the first time that we can welcome her in this role as the President. Madam President, you are an active member in Swiss politics since 2019. And in addition to your role as a President, you are also the Federal Councillor of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. I would now like to thank you. For your support, for your hospitality, that you have shown. Thank you. I would also like to thank the Swiss Army, which is part of your responsibilities, as well as the Swiss Police. Thank you also to the city of Davos and close to us, a place that has been well known for its hospitality for years and has made this meeting possible year after year. But most of all, we would like to thank the people of Davos and close to us, who welcome us here year after year and who contribute greatly to the success of this meeting. Please, ladies and gentlemen, let me now welcome President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amhardt. Thank you, dear Professor Schwab. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the theme of the WEF annual meeting in 2024, Rebuilding Trust, is not just a pleasant catchphrase, but clearly demonstrates the current state of mutual trust in the global community. The rules of the game are increasingly questions, authoritarian or even totalitarian ideas are sometimes accepted, widely shared, as if we had already forgotten the lessons of the 20th century. And this process does not even stop before the greatest achievements of mankind. The United Nations reports a regression of human rights in all regions and the global democratic recession. When looking back, well, we might see that there is reason to be worried. In 2022, the International Institute for Democracy recorded a regression in global democratic development for the sixth time in a row. The consequences of this sinister trend are as devastating for people's aspirations and freedom as economic setbacks can be. The fact that authoritarian regimes are also undermining democratic values and institutions beyond their borders is contributing to the erosion of trust. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, trust is easily squandered and hard-earned. For innovation, investment, and economic development, trust is no longer sufficient, but nevertheless essential. Allow me to outline the reasons for my confidence, the steps that need to be taken to restore international trust, and what Switzerland can contribute to this process. When we look back, it may be frightening to recognize certain patterns that have led to disasters in the past, but there are also positive lessons to be learned. The international community established the UN after the Second World War, and in Europe, there is the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and now also the European political community. This year, we also mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the centerpiece of international humanitarian law. They also embody the endeavor to rebuild broken trust and protect people from cruelty and inhumanity in wartime. Rebuilding trust, we know it is possible. For this, we need dialogue and respect on the one hand and clear rules that everyone adheres to on the other. What steps are needed to restore trust on an international level? The first priority must be an open and transparent dialogue between states, but also with and between organizations in the multilateral system. We need to strengthen the UN and other global and regional institutions so that they can play the role as platforms for dialogue more effectively once again. This is precisely why Switzerland supports the reform proposals of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. We also need to realize that genuine compromises are necessary. We must prevent power politics, from destroying our livelihoods. Especially when it comes to ecological transitions, we urgently need real progress and a society-wide shift in thinking. The process leading up to the summit of the future in September must prove that despite all the difficulties, the international community is working towards common goals. Agreements and compromises must then also be implemented. A reliable approach to implementation is important for credibility and builds trust. This includes a renewed respect for the UN Charter, other international treaties and other globally agreed measures. Fake news poses a real threat, especially today when the rapid development of artificial intelligence contributes to the increasing credibility of such fake news. However, digitalization also offers potential for increased transparency and a sharing of knowledge and information. If used correctly, this can help to build trust. Switzerland is particularly important Switzerland is particularly committed to promoting the global governance of artificial intelligence. Those who rely on lies and ideologies for their policies may score points in the short term, but in the medium and long term, they will lose trust. Good policy is based on verified facts and takes scientific evidence into account. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, some parts of the general public distrust all of us gathered here and all political and business leaders. Rebuilding trust is not just a matter for states and politicians. It is a responsibility for the economy as well. It is clear that increasing social imbalances fuel populism even in prosperous countries. When the alleged elite flaunts its wealth, while many families can barely make ends meet, mistrust grows. At that point, the international community and governments are no longer heard and no longer understood, even if they put forward great proposals. Many among you in this room have the opportunity to strengthen cohesion and social equality in your companies. It is up to you, ladies and gentlemen, to take responsibility and align your business decisions accordingly. In the long term, this also serves the interests of entrepreneurs. If you make demands, you should deliver. For Switzerland, this means that we are committed to building new trust in the world. For example, through the good offices that my country traditionally provides or through the fact that we engage in dialogue with everyone. Switzerland's neutrality, commitment and reliability can be useful in resolving conflicts. As a member of the UN Security Council, Switzerland also has a special responsibility this year. We want to help ensure that solutions are found, despite the increasing tendency to think in terms of political blocs. Geneva is a place that brings together state actors, business, academia and civil society. In January, Davos also becomes such a place. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are not at the mercy of negative trends. We can counter them. Trust and hope can be earned. We have to do it. That is what we are here for. Let's get to work. Merci.