WEF: Federal aid to the Canton of Graubünden from 2022 to 2024
The Swiss government will invest 2.55 million Swiss francs per year for three years and deploy 5,000 military personnel for the security of the World Economic Forum in Davos…
Since the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) are an important platform for the Swiss authorities, and especially after the precautionary “migration” of the 2021 edition of the event to Singapore, the Swiss government intends to continue to support the security measures taken by the Canton of Graubünden.
It has therefore decided to deploy a maximum of 5,000 military personnel on support duty and the participation of the Confederation in the security costs, with a maximum amount of CHF 2.55 million per year.
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At its meeting on February 24, 2021, the Federal Council adopted the corresponding message for the attention of Parliament.
The Canton of Graubünden has asked the federal government to support the security measures for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 WEF meetings in Davos.
The Swiss government accepted the request and adopted the message on the deployment of the armed forces in support of Graubünden for the attention of parliament.
The Federal Council intends to renew the support of the Swiss Confederation by deploying a maximum of 5,000 military personnel in support service and by contributing CHF 2.55 million per year to the financing of security measures.
Importance of the WEF meetings for Switzerland
In the view of the Federal Council, the annual WEF meetings are an important platform for the Swiss authorities, as they enable them to present Swiss orientations and interests to foreign economic and political partners.
In addition, the organization of this event strengthens Switzerland’s role as a host country for international conferences and as a location for international organizations.
For this reason, the Federal Council has for many years described the WEF meetings as “extraordinary events”.
For several days, these conferences bring to Davos between 200 and 300 heads of state, ministers and other senior representatives of international organizations who enjoy special protection under international law.
Army support service for Graubünden
The impact of the annual WEF meetings goes far beyond the borders of Graubünden. On these occasions police corps from other cantons are deployed in other regions of Switzerland as part of an intercantonal police intervention.
However, this national police intervention is not sufficient to guarantee the implementation of the necessary security measures. The Federal Council has therefore decided, at Chur’s request, to deploy the army to support it.
Since the security situation has not changed in recent years, the security arrangements for the WEF annual meetings must also remain at the same level.
The aim is to enable Switzerland to fulfill its protection obligations under international law.
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Within the framework of this subsidiary deployment, the army will therefore provide services primarily in the areas of protection of objects and persons, preservation of the sovereignty of the airspace and its security, as well as logistical support, particularly in the context of the coordinated medical service.
The deployment of the armed forces as a support service will have no financial consequences for the Swiss Confederation.
In fact, this support service generates expenses that are almost equivalent to those that would have to be borne if the formations in question fulfilled their obligations within the framework of the annual training service. These expenses amount to an annual sum of approximately 32 million francs.
Contribution to the financing of security measures
In accordance with Article 28 paragraph 2 of the Federal Act on Measures to Safeguard Internal Security (BWIS), Switzerland may grant compensation in the event of extraordinary events, in particular for special and important tasks of surveillance and protection of persons.
Since 2000, the Confederation has participated in the security costs of the annual WEF meetings. The Federal Council intends to continue this support because it believes that the national interest in holding these conferences in Switzerland has not changed.
The brochure “The Swiss Confederation in brief” 2021 is available for download.
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Wishing to respond to the questions and expectations of Parliament and civil society, the WEF Foundation has decided to become the main funder of these events by increasing its participation.
The participation of the Confederation in this financing will be reduced compared to previous years and will decrease from 3.675 million to 2.55 million francs per year.
To cover the costs of the three editions, the Federal Council proposes to the Parliament to adopt a commitment credit of 7.65 million francs.
Protection activities of the Swiss Armed Forces at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Grisons) (Photo (VBS-DDPS)
Over 2,000 military personnel? Parliamentary approval required
According to article 70, paragraph 2 of the Federal Law on the Armed Forces and Military Administration (HMG), if the deployment of the armed forces concerns more than 2000 military personnel it must be approved by the Federal Assembly.
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Participation in the financing of security measures is also subject to parliamentary approval. During the summer and fall sessions of 2021, the two chambers will discuss the dispatch and draft federal decrees on the deployment of the armed forces and participation in the financing of security measures.
