Working together to seek solutions to the challenges of climate change

'Together different' is the motto of the IC Forum 2022. From Thursday to Friday it will seek answers to the urgent questions facing international cooperation in view of climate change. The Forum will also address the current challenges posed by the Ukraine crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's forum aims to initiate a constructive dialogue on insights and ideas for solutions to tackle global warming, bringing together all stakeholders: representatives of governments, business, academia, international organisations and civil society to people working on the ground with affected populations.

Unbiased discussions

In his opening speech, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis spoke of the alarming global backdrop to this year's IC Forum. Despite the major international challenges posed by the armed conflict in Ukraine, the crisis in Afghanistan, and the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, the urgent threat of climate change must not be forgotten. Ideas and solutions to address climate change and its consequences must be discussed openly and without prejudice. "What we need is a 'work in progress' mentality", said Cassis, "to bring together ideas from different fields, taking into account scientific insights and people's needs".

 
A conducive environment for private sector engagement

On 31 March and 1 April 2022, experts in food systems, energy, health, natural resources management and finance will gather to develop concrete solutions and forge new forms of collaboration. Together with representatives of the communities worst affected, we can develop innovative global approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change on people and ecosystems. For non-state actors to make their contribution to solving these problems, an enabling environment for private sector engagement is also vital.

The Forum will encourage new forms of cooperation and make use of collective intelligence. Together, governments, international organisations, academia, business and civil society must meet these challenges in innovative ways – 'together different' is the way forward.

Next forum in 2023

The IC Forum will now take place once a year. Next year's forum is planned for spring 2023. The content of next year's forum will be decided based on the outcomes of the IC Forum 2022.

Further information:

Address by the President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research