People must trust govt to guarantee openness: Swiss President at WEF

"There are also protracted armed conflicts which are destabilising entire societies and economies, resulting in huge population movements and feeding terrorism. There is also climate change and global inequality," said Berset.

By: PTI | Davos | Published: January 23, 2018 7:09 pm

Davos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset (R) and the Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, at the plenary session of the World Economic Forum, in Davos on Tuesday. PTI Photo / PIB

Swiss President Alain Berset on Tuesday raised concerns over some countries adopting inward-looking economic policies and the growing distrust of free trade and multilateralism, even as he asked people to trust their governments to guarantee openness of the respective economies. Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Berset said leaders from across the world have assembled here to reflect together on the future of our society and the movements that influence and enrich it.

Stressing on the urgent need to act on this year’s WEF motto of strengthening cooperation in a fractured world, Berset said, “If we are to continue on the path of progress, I am convinced that 2018 must be the year of international cooperation and multilateralism”. He said the world is witnessing the emergence of geopolitical upheavals and instability in many parts.