More than 6,000 representatives of politics, business, science, culture, and media from several dozen countries participated in this year’s edition of the Economic Forum in Karpacz. Participants of one of the largest economic events in Central and Eastern Europe, often called the “Polish Davos”, discussed the most important challenges facing Europe and the world.
As part of the event held under the slogan “Time of Transformation – What Will the Europe of the Future Be Like?”, several hundred plenary debates, discussions, panels, and speeches were organized. They addressed, among other topics, broadly understood security, digitalization, innovation, infrastructure investments, international cooperation, and healthcare.
These discussions took place in the shadow of a serious debate currently being conducted in Europe – a debate on the shape of the European Union after what happened in connection with the pandemic and later with the war in Ukraine, said Zygmunt Berdychowski, the originator and chairman of the program council of the Economic Forum in Karpacz.
As in last year’s edition, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and ministers from the Civic Coalition did not participate. However, politicians representing other parties of the ruling coalition were present, led by Deputy Prime Ministers Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Krzysztof Gawkowski. On the other hand, representatives of the United Right – now in parliamentary opposition – as well as various factions of the Confederation were strongly represented. Former President of Poland Andrzej Duda also came to Karpacz, taking part, among other things, in a meeting dedicated to the World Scout Jamboree, which will be held in Gdańsk in 2027. In his speech, Andrzej Duda expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing its potential in the context of promoting Poland on the international stage. He pointed out that organizing such a large event as the World Scout Jamboree is a great opportunity to present our country to young people from all over the world. In his opinion, Gdańsk, as a city with a rich history and attractive infrastructure, constitutes an ideal location for this type of undertaking.
As in previous years, forum guests could participate not only in substantive debates but also in many cultural events, concerts, author evenings, and regional cuisine presentations. At evening gala ceremonies, the annual Economic Forum Awards were presented. The most prestigious award of the event – the title of Person of the Year of the Economic Forum – went to Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs. The Company of the Year award was given to PKP Intercity, and the SGH Economic Award went to Irena Pichola, president of the Responsible Business Forum. Special awards were also given to Prof. Henryk Skarżyński, founder and director of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing and the World Hearing Center in Kajetany, as well as to astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.