Global Commodities Conference
The 2026 Global Commodities Conference, the flagship event of the Lugano Commodity Trading Association (LCTA), took place on June 22–23 at LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura. More than 200 participants from government, diplomacy, academia and the commodity trading industry gathered for two days of discussions on how geopolitical developments, economic security and monetary fragmentation are reshaping global commodity markets and international trade.
This year’s edition was supported by Banca Zarattini and Fidinam Group Holding as Gold Sponsors, Axion SWISS Bank as Dinner Sponsor, and Cornèr Banca, Sirius Energy, TELF AG and Valcambi as Silver Sponsors. 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 (ZCA).
Global Commodities Conference
by Lugano Commodity Trading Association (LCTA)
June 22-23, 2026 – Lugano (Switzerland)
As the flagship event of the Lugano Commodity Trading Association (LCTA), the Global Commodities Conference (GCC) is a premier forum exploring how shifting geopolitical dynamics are shaping global commodity markets.
Building on the 2025 edition—which highlighted the growing impact of political realignments, regionalization, and the resilience of financial and trading systems – the 2026 Conference offers a forward-looking platform to assess how these trends are transforming trade flows, market structures, and strategic decision-making.
The GCC will convene in Lugano commodity traders from Switzerland and major global hubs, alongside senior policymakers, financial institutions, and leading experts. Participants will engage in high-level discussions on emerging risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities across the global commodities landscape.
Our program is in development, with exciting details to follow.
Registration opens soon – stay tuned!
Tickets are sold out. To be placed on the waiting list, kindly email events@lcta.ch
Tickets are sold out. To be placed on the waiting list, kindly email events@lcta.ch
DAY 1, June 22
The conference opened with the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the Certified Commodity Trading Specialist (CCTS) program, celebrating eight professionals who successfully completed LCTA’s flagship educational initiative. Mattia Baratti, Giacomo Cagliani, Giacomo Cazzaniga, Emma Fogagnolo, Stefan Jovanovic, Irina Lyashenko, Marko Markovic and Talia Noémie Odjou. Marko Markovic, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was recognized as Best Student of the 2025 edition.
The 2025 CCTS graduating cohort.
The evening continued with a fireside conversation between State Secretary Hélène Budliger Artieda and LCTA Vice President Roberto Grassi. The discussion explored Switzerland’s competitiveness in a changing international environment, highlighting the importance of political stability, legal certainty, openness to international trade and trust as enduring strengths for both the country and the commodity trading industry.
State Secretary Hélène Budliger Artieda
DAY 2, June 23
The main conference day opened with welcome remarks by LCTA President Matteo Somaini and Michele Foletti, Mayor of Lugano. Somaini emphasized the importance of dialogue between institutions, academia and industry in an increasingly interconnected world, where traditional notions of geography are giving way to global networks. Foletti reaffirmed the City’s support for the commodity trading sector and Lugano’s position as one of Europe’s leading commodity trading hubs.
Matteo Somaini
Michele Foletti
The first thematic session, The Geopolitics of Resources, featured a keynote address by Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, followed by a panel discussion also featuring Mickael Butikofer (Trafigura), Alessandro Fossati (Gamma Trade SA), Alberto Salsiccia (Petraco Oil Company SA) and Professor Fabrizio Vismara (University of Insubria), moderated by Dmitry Dvoretskiy (DITH). The discussion examined how geopolitical competition, economic security and industrial policy are reshaping commodity markets, with speakers highlighting the growing strategic importance of energy, critical minerals and resilient supply chains.
Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi
Panel discussion
The second session, Monetary Fragmentation, opened with a keynote by Professor Angelo Ranaldo and continued with a panel discussion also featuring François Broussard (ING), Fabio Baglio (Tether) and Giulio Macciocchi (DXT Commodities SA), moderated by Dimitri Loringett (Corriere del Ticino). The discussion focused on the increasing interaction between geopolitics and finance, examining how currency markets, payment systems and financial innovation are transforming international trade and risk management.
Professor Angelo Ranaldo
Panel discussion
Looking Ahead
Throughout GCC 2026, a consistent message emerged: commodity trading is entering a new phase in which geopolitics, finance, technology and regulation are becoming ever more interconnected. By bringing together policymakers, diplomats, academics and industry leaders, GCC 2026 once again reaffirmed LCTA’s role as a leading platform in Southern Switzerland for dialogue on the future of global commodity trading.
Global Commodities
Conference 2026
DAY 1, June 22
DAY 2, June 23
Day 1 | Monday, June 22, 2026
18:00 – 21:00
At LAC, Lugano (Switzerland)
18.00-18.30 / Sala 1
Registration
18.30-19.00 / Sala 1
Diploma Ceremony for
CCTS Graduates 2025
19.00-20.00 / Sala 1
Fireside Chat with
State Secretary Hélène Budliger Artieda,
Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
moderated by
Roberto Grassi
Vice President of LCTA
20.00-21.00 / Sala 2
Standing Dinner Reception
Dinner sponsored by Axion Bank
Day 2 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026
08:15 – 14:00
At LAC, Lugano (Switzerland)
08.15-08.45 / Sala 2
Registration and welcome coffee
08.45-09.00 / Sala 1
Welcome Statements
Matteo Somaini
President of LCTA
Michele Foletti
Mayor of Lugano
09.00-10.30 / Sala 1
Session 1 | The Geopolitics of Resources
A Turning Point in Global Order: From the Crisis of Multilateralism to the Geopolitics of Resources
Ambassador Ettore F. Sequi
Former Secretary General
of the Italian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
and President of Sorgenia
Panel discussion
Ambassador Ettore F. Sequi
President, Sorgenia SpA
Mickael Butikofer
Head of Oil Research Europe & Asia, Trafigura PTE
Alessandro Fossati
CEO, Gamma Trade SA
Alberto Salsiccia
CFO, Petraco Oil Company SA
Prof. Fabrizio Vismara
Director, Research Center for Customs Law and International Trade, University of Insubria
Moderation: Dmitry Dvoretskiy
Director, Project Development – Market Intelligence, DITH
10.30-11.00 / Sala 2
Coffee break
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
11.00-12.30 / Sala 1
Session 2 | Monetary Fragmentation
The Bright and Dark Side of Currency Markets
Angelo Ranaldo
Professor of Finance and Financial
Economics, University of Basel and
Member of the Bank Council of the
Swiss National Bank
Panel discussion
Prof. Dr. Angelo Ranaldo
University of Basel; Member of the Bank Council of the SNB
Fabio Baglio
Institutional Expansion Manager, Tether
François Broussard
Head Transactional Commodity Finance Switzerland – Commodity Merchant Clients, ING
Giulio Macciocchi
Head of Finance & ESG, DXT Commodities SA
Moderation: Dimitri Loringett
Journalist, Corriere del Ticino
12.30-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
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
Day 1 | Monday, June 22, 2026
18:00 – 21:00
At LAC, Lugano (Switzerland)
18.00-18.30 / Sala 1
Registration
18.30-19.00 / Sala 1
Diploma Ceremony for
CCTS Graduates 2025
19.00-20.00 / Sala 1
Fireside Chat with
State Secretary Hélène Budliger Artieda,
Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
moderated by
Roberto Grassi
Vice President of LCTA
20.00-21.00 / Sala 2
Standing Dinner Reception
Dinner sponsored by Axion Bank
Day 2 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026
08:15 – 14:00
At LAC, Lugano (Switzerland)
08.15-08.45 / Sala 2
Registration and welcome coffee
08.45-09.00 / Sala 1
Welcome Statements
Matteo Somaini
President of LCTA
Michele Foletti
Mayor of Lugano
09.00-10.30 / Sala 1
Session 1 | The Geopolitics of Resources
A Turning Point in Global Order: From the Crisis of Multilateralism to the Geopolitics of Resources
Ambassador Ettore F. Sequi
Former Secretary General
of the Italian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
and President of Sorgenia
Panel discussion
Ambassador Ettore F. Sequi
President, Sorgenia SpA
Mickael Butikofer
Head of Oil Research Europe & Asia, Trafigura PTE
Alessandro Fossati
CEO, Gamma Trade SA
Alberto Salsiccia
CFO, Petraco Oil Company SA
Prof. Fabrizio Vismara
Director, Research Center for Customs Law and International Trade, University of Insubria
Moderation: Dmitry Dvoretskiy
Director, Project Development – Market Intelligence, DITH
10.30-11.00 / Sala 2
Coffee break
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
11.00-12.30 / Sala 1
Session 2 | Monetary Fragmentation
The Bright and Dark Side of Currency Markets
Angelo Ranaldo
Professor of Finance and Financial
Economics, University of Basel and
Member of the Bank Council of the
Swiss National Bank
Panel discussion
Prof. Dr. Angelo Ranaldo
University of Basel; Member of the Bank Council of the SNB
Fabio Baglio
Institutional Expansion Manager, Tether
François Broussard
Head Transactional Commodity Finance Switzerland – Commodity Merchant Clients, ING
Giulio Macciocchi
Head of Finance & ESG, DXT Commodities SA
Moderation: Dimitri Loringett
Journalist, Corriere del Ticino
12.30-14.00 / Sala 2
Networking Lunch
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
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 22-23, 2026
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:
–
When you contact one of these hotels, please mention LCTA Conference.
Global Commodities Conference
Day 1 | Monday, June 22, 2026
18:00 – 21:00
At LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Lugano
–
Day 2 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026
08:15 – 14:00
At LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Lugano
ORGANIZER
DINNER SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
DINNER SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
With the patronage of
ORGANIZER
DINNER SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
DINNER SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
With the patronage of