Discorso del consigliere federale Martin Pfister in occasione del «Building Bridges Summit»
Ginevra, 30.09.2025 — Discorso del consigliere federale Martin Pfister, capo del Dipartimento federale della difesa, della protezione della popolazione e dello sport (DDPS), in occasione del Building Bridges Summit, Ginevra, martedì 30 settembre 2025.
Fa fede la versione orale
Dear Patrick,
Dear Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Inviting a defence minister and by extension a representative of the military to speak on the topic of sustainability may seem contradictory in view of the geopolitical situation and destruction in Ukraine and the Middle East.
But the opposite is the case: sustainability has an impact on the military and security, just as it does on the economy and society.
For sustainability leads to resilience. Resilience leads to security. Security leads to prosperity.
Sustainability as a principle is crucial in a world that seems to be falling apart.
Allow me to explain this in three points.
Firstly, sustainability is in Switzerland’s DNA. Security and defence policy is not primarily about defending territory, but about safeguarding our democratic freedoms and a self-determined, solidarity-based society.
I’d like to cite a few examples to illustrate that:
- In 1876 we introduced the first Forest Act to put a stop to uncontrolled deforestation and hinder natural disasters.
- Since 2003 sustainable fiscal policy has been a legal obligation at federal level thanks to the debt brake.
- And since the 2010s we have been financing rail infrastructure and national highways and urban transport in an ecologically and economically responsible manner.
Secondly, sustainability strengthens us, particularly in difficult times. Those who act sustainably, whether as a country or as a company, are more resilient in times of crisis.
That attitude must not be abandoned, especially when things get tough, even if it does not seem urgent to us.
- Think of the banking crisis in 2008, the COVID pandemic or the collapse of Credit Suisse. Those who act responsibly are more resilient and emerge in better shape.
- Sustainable action secures livelihoods and ultimately builds a stable foundation for economic prosperity.
- Sustainability must be viewed as a shared responsibility between political actors, business, and society. Those who do not want the state to regulate everything must first act responsibly in their own interests. Those who want to take advantage of economic freedom[1] must take personal responsibility. This approach works well in Switzerland because many economic actors understand what is necessary to do just that.
Thirdly, in times of significant geopolitical upheaval, sustainable thinking must be part of security and defence policy because it forms the basis for a peaceful future.
We must implement the goal defined in the UN's 2030 Agenda (SDG 16) on peace, justice and strong institutions.
If we fail to do so, the fundamental idea of a rules-based international order as a platform for peaceful, secure coexistence, but also as a prerequisite for a prosperous international economy, will fall apart.
In terms of security policy, that means we strengthen
- military capabilities and structures today with the firm intention of resolutely preventing war. Armed forces must be able to fulfil their tasks, but their main task is to prevent wars and crises. That also includes compliance with international humanitarian law. Everything we do militarily must serve the public (interest).
We live in a time of major challenges: geopolitical instability, climate change, economic uncertainty, health crises. But we must not falter just because the world is changing. Switzerland can be proud of its commitment to promoting good solutions in fields such as technology, finance and governance. This puts us in a unique position to address the global challenges of our time actively and sustainably.
Geneva is a testament to this attitude and to our country's future viability, building on the legacy of Henri Dunant, the Geneva Conventions and the diverse international regulatory frameworks. Our three Geneva centres for security policy, security sector governance and humanitarian demining also stand for sustainability within this system.
They are celebrating their anniversary this year. Their commitment to security policy is consistently geared towards sustainability.
That was quite a lot on security policy. But sustainability is a priority for you in the financial sector, just as it is for us in the security sector,
- firstly, because it forms part of the values that we must not abandon, especially in turbulent times,
- secondly, because it is part of the resilience that can only come from personal responsibility, and
- thirdly, because it helps us to emerge from crises stronger.
And because none of this comes for free, we have a need for innovative and sustainable companies. During this summit, you will build bridges and thereby demonstrate how we can strengthen our resilience.
So thank you very much for your commitment.