Nearly 170 sessions with over 1,200 panelists, nearly 11,000 registered stationary participants, and over 620 media representatives participated in the 15th edition of the European Economic Congress (EEC). The congress started on April 24, at the International Congress Center in Katowice, with record attendance. During three days of substantive debates corresponding to what is most current, key topics related to the economy, in a social and geopolitical context, will be discussed.
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Geopolitics and the situation of Europe in the shadow of war, the future of Ukraine, climate issues, energy transformation, and digitization are the main issues around which this year’s edition of the Congress is focused.
“The strong need to exchange ideas, to search for solutions together must be realized at the Congress. The need for this dialogue is confirmed by the scale of the event – nearly 11,000 guests who decided to come to Katowice, next to those who participate in the online Congress.”, said Wojciech Kuśpik, President of the PTWP Group, initiator and organizer of the European Economic Congress, opening the event. Wojciech Kuśpik also emphasized that dialogue remains the foundation of the economy, especially in times of instability. “That is why I encourage you to listen to it, especially the voice of business.”, he announced.
‘New European economy in a new world’ was the title of the inaugural session that followed the opening of the Congress. Its main conclusions were: rebuilding the economy, combating inflation, and energy and food security.
“Geopolitics affects the economy. We want to discuss it. We face huge challenges such as the Green Deal. Four years ago, it was decided that the Green Deal is our common European civilizational project. Now the United States has joined in. Climate neutrality, circular economy and energy security are also our challenges. Other problems we deal with on a daily basis are inflation and supply chains. But the most important thing now is the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the conviction that we should always be ready to help.”,
said Jerzy Buzek, Member of the European Parliament, President of the European Parliament in 2009-2012, Prime Minister of the Polish government in 1997-2001 and Chairman of the EEC Council
The Minister of Development and Technology, Waldemar Buda, stated that Poland had to respond quickly to the COVID-19 situation and spent around PLN 200bn in a few months to keep jobs. As a result, Poland now has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the European Union. COVID-19 has caused a revolution in the job market, leading to changes in the way people work, regulations, and employers’ approaches to remote work. The war in Ukraine has forced Poland to open itself up to immigration, and the government now recognizes that the success of the state can depend on workers from abroad. The minister added that Poland needs to consider how to make its European economy competitive and must make exceptions to the dogma of climate policy in the most critical areas.
Julia Svyrydenko, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, focused her remarks on the changes that Europe will face after the war’s end. The future of the world and global economics depends on the outcome of the war in Ukraine, and Ukraine must win to secure Europe’s and the free world’s future. Ukraine hopes to become an EU member as soon as possible and become part of a single European market. Ukraine must rebuild its economy, focusing on economic resilience, human resource development, energy security, and independence.
Johannes Hahn, the EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration, emphasized the importance of building a resilient economy, learning from painful events such as the war in Ukraine, and diversifying financial support sources. Europe is becoming less significant in terms of the global economy, and Europeans tend to be risk-averse compared to Americans, who tend to invest using private capital.