Munich Security Conference 2019

Herbert J. Scheidt, Vontobel Chairman of the Board, Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Abdelfatah al-Sisi, President of Egypt.

"THE GREAT PUZZLE: WHO WILL PICK UP THE PIECES?" was the central issue at this year's Munich Security Conference, held from February 15th to 17th, 2019. In advance of the conference, MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger had declared, "At the Munich Security Conference 2019, we must think about how we can preserve the core of the international order." The agenda of the three-day event was accordingly diverse, with participants talking and arguing about the future of Europe, transatlantic relationships, the potential impact of competition between the major powers, and the conflicts in the Near and Middle East.

The Munich Security Conference is a forum where even controversial points of view are aired and discussed. In this way, mutual understanding is fostered, constructive criticism is brought to bear, and in the best case, a solution to a conflict is found. The discussions conducted at MSC are important to society, the economy, and ultimately to every one of us.

For this reason, Vontobel has supported the MSC for several years, actively participating in the dialogue. Numerous personalities from politics and business met in the conservatory of the Bayerischer Hof in Munich for the traditional CEO Lunch. Vontobel Chairman of the Board Herbert J. Scheidt and CEO Zeno Staub welcomed as special guests the Egyptian President, Abdelfatah al-Sisi, and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.

In his welcome speech, Herbert J. Scheidt made a plea for the private sector to play an active role: "One answer to the conference’s key question – ‘the great puzzle: who will pick up the pieces?’ – is that non-state social and economic actors could be forced to face up to the challenges that are endangering peace and prosperity worldwide." He continued: “That's what people are expecting from us."