President Amherd opens IC Forum in Basel
Published: Thursday, Apr 11th 2024, 15:40
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The President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, opened the third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) in Basel on Thursday. Amherd also met Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde on the fringes of the forum.
Switzerland's international reputation in peacebuilding remains high, Amherd said in her speech at the opening of the forum. On the one hand, Switzerland is perceived as an "honest and neutral actor without a colonial past and without hidden interests".
Amherd also mentioned in her speech that Switzerland is planning a high-level Ukraine peace conference in June on the Bürgenstock. The invitations are now going out, said Amherd. The aim is to take the first concrete steps towards a peace process. The conference will serve as a platform where all participating states can put forward their ideas, said Amherd.
1700 participants from 100 countries
At the IC Forum, international cooperation players meet for two days to discuss current issues. The current topic is the question "What is Peace?" ("What is peace?").
The President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, will take part in the forum as a guest of honor. On the fringes of the meeting, a bilateral meeting took place between the Swiss President and the Ethiopian President at the Villa Wenkenhof in Riehen BS. According to a statement from the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), the two politicians discussed relations between Switzerland and Ethiopia as well as security issues in Europe and Africa.
Around 1,700 participants from over 100 countries have registered - 900 people are attending on site and another 800 are taking part online. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will also be present in Basel over the two days.
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