Collective action to tackle global problems is need of the hour: Swiss President

Davos, Jan 23: Calling for a partnership between national and international organisations, Swiss President Alain Berset on Tuesday called for a collective action to fight rising inequality, terrorism and climate change.

Berset said the world is facing several risks including on terrorism, climate change and trade protectionism.

"There needs to be a partnership between national and international organisations. There is a mistrust about multiateralism and there is a need for a strong political will. It will be poorest and the weakest who will be the biggest victims if we don't adopt strong collective action at national and international levels. It is essential to act now," he said.

"The nationalist and protectionist moves we felt were passing phase but they are not and lessons of last two years are clear. There is only one solution that is to remove the underlying mistrust and for that we need to act now. If we are to continue on the path of progress, I am convinced that 2018 must be the year of international cooperation and multilateralism," Berset added.

The lesson of the last two years is clear, and still applies: The mainstream of society must see society as being fair – otherwise it will use its veto, he said at the World Economic Forum meet in Davos.

"We need to balance between politics and economics," he said, while asserting that it is not the primacy of politics that is required.

"Let us make 2018 a year in which each of us works to promote social inclusion," he added. He said Switzerland and the World Economic Forum go well together because international cooperation is a top priority for both.

PTI