Global Commodities Conference
by Lugano Commodity Trading Association (LCTA)
June 23-24, 2025
The Global Commodities Conference (GCC) is LCTA’s flagship event and serves as a distinctive platform to explore trends, opportunities, and challenges within the commodities market, with dedicated focus on geopolitical dynamics. It convenes commodity traders from throughout Switzerland and major trading centers such as London and Dubai, distinguished guests of international repute, experts in international trade, banking institutions and service providers, offering them the additional chance to foster new relationships and reestablish existing connections.
Global Commodities Conference
by Lugano Commodity Trading Association (LCTA)
June 23-24, 2025
The Global Commodities Conference (GCC) is LCTA’s flagship event and serves as a distinctive platform to explore trends, opportunities, and challenges within the commodities market, with dedicated focus on geopolitical dynamics. It convenes commodity traders from throughout Switzerland and major trading centers such as London and Dubai, distinguished guests of international repute, experts in international trade, banking institutions and service providers, offering them the additional chance to foster new relationships and reestablish existing connections.
The GCC 2025 will commence on the evening of June 23, 2025 with an exclusive event featuring UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti, while the morning of June 24 will be devoted to the thematic Conference, with keynote addresses and panel discussions. On this occasion, we will engage with our esteemed guests to examine how the unstable geopolitical landscape, coupled with the revival of trade and industrial policies that distort trade flows, provoke retaliatory measures, and ultimately redefine trade routes, positions the commodity market for significant transformations.
Tickets are sold out. To be placed on the waiting list, kindly email events@lcta.ch
Global Commodities
Conference 2025
The 2025 Global Commodities Conference, the flagship event of the Lugano Commodity Trading Association, took place on June 23–24 at the LAC Lugano. More than 200 industry professionals gathered for two days of in-depth discussions on geopolitical developments and their impact on financial markets and commodities—particularly in the energy sector.
This year’s edition was supported by Fidinam Group Holding as Platinum Sponsor, Axion SWISS Bank as Dinner Sponsor, and Banca Zarattini, Sirius Energy, and Telf as Gold Sponsors. Silver Sponsors included Cornèr Banca, Filhet-Allard Maritime, and LME. The event was held under the patronage of the City of Lugano, with institutional support from the Ticino Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cc-Ti), SUISSENÉGOCE, and the Zug Commodity Association. Corriere del Ticino served as the Media Partner.
DAY 1, June 23
The conference opened with the diploma ceremony for the second cohort of the Certified Commodity Trading Specialist program, which concluded in January 2025. Fifteen of the seventeen graduates were formally acknowledged: Zoran Anastasov, Brando Berti, Andrea Crespi Bel’skij, Andrea Brambilla, Gabriella D’Aleo, Ievgeniia Dmukh, Alessio Figliolia, William Kucera, Svitlana Lomatschinsky, Riccardo Maffi, Lorenza Michelini, Stefano Negri, Kaveh Nicjoo, Massimiliano Zanetti, and Ilenia Zendri (absent: Raùl Blanco Cañeque and Meltem Meshur).
Alessio Figliolia was honored with the Best Student Award.
A highlight of the evening was the fireside chat with Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS Group, moderated by LCTA Vice-President Roberto Grassi. Ermotti addressed current geopolitical tensions, the integration of Credit Suisse into UBS and the resilience of global markets.
He discussed the challenges of growing regulation, noting that while stability is essential, trust—not simply increased capital buffers—is the true foundation of banking. Ermotti also underscored that despite recent shocks, global markets have shown surprising composure, and he expressed cautious optimism for future trade cooperation, foreseeing a shift toward regionalism rather than a full reversal of globalization.
DAY 2, June 24
President Matteo Somaini opened the June 24 plenary by recognizing the strong and diverse turnout, underlining the event’s importance. He emphasized the need for the commodity sector to evolve in response to pressures on banking and shifting geopolitical realities. He also noted the dynamic rise of Middle Eastern players in global strategy—contrasting it with Europe’s more subdued presence on the current geopolitical stage.
The event then featured three keynotes: Professor Keyu Jin (HKUST and Harvard) explored China’s shift toward strategic self-reliance amid internal economic challenges, highlighting the country’s focus on innovation and technology as tools of global influence. Emily Harding (Center for Strategic and International Studies) examined shifting power dynamics, warning of a growing strategic vacuum but noting that technology and business could serve as stabilizing forces if political systems adapt. Alan Friedman, economist and journalist, reflected on a world marked by “the certainty of uncertainty,” pointing to rising protectionism, volatile policies, and global disorder as critical risks demanding resilience and strategic foresight.
A concluding roundtable moderated by James May (Duferco) brought together keynote speakers Emily Harding and Alan Friedman along with energy experts Mattia Giussani (Sirius Energy) and Nikolai Litvinenko (Telf). The panel explored Europe’s pursuit of energy independence, the U.S.-China technology rivalry, and the role of AI in shaping global power dynamics.
Speakers emphasized the need for innovation, policy reform, and cybersecurity while advocating for greater international cooperation to navigate uncertainty and build resilience across sectors.
Global Commodities
Conference 2025
DAY 1, June 23
DAY 2, June 24
Day 1 | Monday, June 23, 2025
18:00 – 21:00
At LAC
18.00-18.30 / Sala 1
Registration
18.30-19.00 / Sala 1
Diploma Ceremony for
CCTS Graduates 2024
19.00-19.30 / Sala 1
Fireside Chat with Sergio Ermotti, Group CEO of UBS Group AG
moderated by
Roberto Grassi
LCTA Vice President
19.30-21.00 / Sala 2
Standing Dinner Reception
Dinner sponsored by Axion Bank
Day 2 | Tuesday, June 24, 2025
08:15 – 14:00
At LAC
08.15-08.45 / Sala 2
Registration and welcome coffee
09.00-10.00 / Sala 1
China and the Global Economy: Growth, Challenges, and the Trade War
Keyu Jin
Professor of Economics, HKUST Business School and Harvard
10.00-10.40 / Sala 1
Geopolitical Dynamics and Strategic Decoupling: A US Policy Perspective
Emily Harding
Director INT, Center for Strategic and International Studies
10.40-11.10 / Sala 2
Coffee break
11.10-11.50 / Sala 1
The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating Geopolitics and Geo-Economics at A Time of Global Turmoil
Alan Friedman
Economist, Author, and Journalist
11.50-12.45 / Sala 1
Panel discussion
Alan Friedman
Economist, Author, and Journalist
Mattia Giussani
Head of Power Origination, Sirius Energy SA
Emily Harding
Director INT, CSIS
Nikolay Litvinenko
CEO, Telf AG
Moderation: James May
Head of Strategy, Duferco SA
12.45-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
11.15-12.45 / Sala 1
Conference 2
Panel discussion
Moderation: Dominique Bruggmann,
CFA, Manager Financial Services Risk Consulting, Ernst & Young AG
Simone Knobloch,
COO, Valcambi SA
Giulio Macciocchi,
Head of Finance & ESG, DXT Commodities SA
Deia Markova,
Head of Trade Commodity Finance, Sustainability Ambassador, Société Générale
Stephen Thomas,
Head of ESG & Sustainability, ArrowResources AG
12.45-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
Day 1 | Monday, June 23, 2025
18:00 – 21:00
At LAC
18.00-18.30 / Sala 1
Registration
18.30-19.00 / Sala 1
Diploma Ceremony for
CCTS Graduates 2024
19.00-19.30 / Sala 1
Fireside Chat with Sergio Ermotti, Group CEO of UBS Group AG
moderated by
Roberto Grassi
LCTA Vice President
19.30-21.00 / Sala 2
Standing Dinner Reception
Dinner sponsored by Axion Bank
Day 2 | Tuesday, June 24, 2025
08:15 – 14:00
At LAC
08.15-08.45 / Sala 2
Registration and welcome coffee
09.00-10.00 / Sala 1
China and the Global Economy: Growth, Challenges, and the Trade War
Keyu Jin
Professor of Economics, HKUST Business School and Harvard
10.00-10.40 / Sala 1
Geopolitical Dynamics and Strategic Decoupling: A US Policy Perspective
Emily Harding
Director INT, Center for Strategic and International Studies
10.40-11.10 / Sala 2
Coffee break
11.10-11.50 / Sala 1
The Certainty of Uncertainty: Navigating Geopolitics and Geo-Economics at A Time of Global Turmoil
Alan Friedman
Economist, Author, and Journalist
11.50-12.45 / Sala 1
Panel discussion
Alan Friedman
Economist, Author, and Journalist
Mattia Giussani
Head of Power Origination, Sirius Energy SA
Emily Harding
Director INT, CSIS
Nikolay Litvinenko
CEO, Telf AG
Moderation: James May
Head of Strategy, Duferco SA
12.45-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
11.15-12.45 / Sala 1
Conference 2
Panel discussion
Moderation: Dominique Bruggmann,
CFA, Manager Financial Services Risk Consulting, Ernst & Young AG
Simone Knobloch,
COO, Valcambi SA
Giulio Macciocchi,
Head of Finance & ESG, DXT Commodities SA
Deia Markova,
Head of Trade Commodity Finance, Sustainability Ambassador, Société Générale
Stephen Thomas,
Head of ESG & Sustainability, ArrowResources AG
12.45-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
Sponsorship Opportunities
Why Sponsor the Global Commodities Conference
The Global Commodities Conference is the premier event in Lugano bringing together commodity traders, distinguished guests of international repute, experts in international trade, banking institutions and service providers.
Seize this excellent chance to elevate your brand and highlight your initiatives and services!
Varius levels of sponsorship opportunities are available for selection.
Explore our sponsorship brochure and contact us!
June 23-24, 2025
Contact Us
LCTA
Lugano Commodity Trading Association
℅ Fidinam SA
Via Maggio 1, 6900 Lugano — Switzerland
Mail: info@lcta.ch
Do You Need to Book a Hotel?
NON VISIBILE
LCTA agreed for a special rate in the following hotels:
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When you contact one of these hotels, please mention LCTA Conference.
Global Commodities Conference
Day 1 | Monday, June 23, 2025
18:30 – 21:00
At LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Lugano
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Day 2 | Tuesday, June 24, 2025
08:30 – 14:00
At LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Lugano
ORGANIZER
PLATINUM SPONSOR
DINNER SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
With the patronage of
ORGANIZER
PLATINUM SPONSORS
DINNER SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
With the patronage of