Lugano prepares security zones for OSCE conference with more than 1,000 expected
Monday 2nd November 2026 on 21:01 in
Switzerland
Lugano will turn a city park into a restricted zone for three days during the OSCE ministerial conference in early December, with more than 1,000 participants expected. SRF reports that schools, shops and restaurants will also be affected by security measures around the park.
Parco Ciani, a green park in Lugano, will become a “red zone” during the conference. The surrounding “blue zone” will be accessible only after identity checks.
Mayor Michele Foletti said the city had tried to keep disruption for residents to a minimum. He hopes the event will bring more positive than negative effects, despite some inconvenience.
Foletti is particularly concerned about possible demonstrations and violence, including the risk that violent individuals could join protest groups. He said the city would assess the risks with municipal and cantonal police. Ticino’s security director, Norman Gobbi, said there was always some residual risk, but security forces were prepared for both peaceful protests and unauthorised gatherings or unrest.
Gobbi did not disclose how many police officers would be deployed. The Ticino cantonal police will receive support from forces in other cantons, including Zurich, and the Swiss army will also be involved.
The federal government is providing just over five million francs for the conference and will cover 80 per cent of the security costs incurred by Ticino. The cantonal parliament approved the funding, though the SVP, Lega and some left-wing parties opposed it, arguing that the federal government should pay the full cost.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, who brought the conference to his home city, said his goal was for delegates to be able to meet and exchange views without violence. It is not yet known whether US foreign minister Marco Rubio or his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, will attend in person. Cassis said their attendance is usually confirmed only about 24 hours before the conference begins, and officials said security forces were prepared for either possibility.
Delegations from all 57 OSCE member states are expected at the two-day meeting. Switzerland currently holds the organisation’s chairmanship.