Minister Grzegorz Puda

• 6 September, 12.35 – ’Cooperation of Local Authorities with Central Government’

The debate will focus on the future and the uniform, socio-economic development of local government units and their relationship with central government. In the new EU financial perspective for 2021–2027, Poland will receive a record amount of PLN 350 billion for the implementation of various projects. These funds will be directed primarily to
local authorities. The debate will address issues of decentralisation or the evaluation of mutual cooperation.

• 6 September, 13.45 – ’EU Funds for Regional Investment - Balance Sheet of Profits and Losses’

The recipe for recovery and growth includes investment, which is the best tool for creating new jobs and modernising infrastructure in the regions. In the new EU financial perspective for 2021–2027, Poland is expected to allocate for investment a total of around PLN 350 billion. To what extent were funds from the past perspective used?

Deputy Minister Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak

• 5 September, 17.00 – ’Polish Exports in Times of War in Ukraine and Uncertainty on Global Markets’

To what extent can the uncertain economic situation in the European Union, in particular in Germany, which remains our main trading partner, thwart Polish exporters? Will the growth in exports to Ukraine, which last year more than compensated for reductions in the markets of Russia and Belarus, continue this year? Are the global perturbations with supply chains that started during the coronavirus pandemic over now? ESG requirements and exports - to what extent can ESG issues affect Polish exporters? How to encourage more SME companies to export and capitalise on foreign expansion? EU funds 2021–2027 to support exports and international expansion.

• 6 September, 10.00 – ’The Green Revolution Continues. Can We Speed It Up?’

The discussion will focus on transformation as a growth driver for companies and an opportunity to develop new areas, the funds that support this process and the expectations regarding their impact.

• 6 September, 17.15 – ’Developing Public Policies to Increase Accessibility for People with Disabilities and Special Needs’

Public policies implemented by state administrations set standards and norms of functioning for citizens throughout the state. For several years now, particularly intensive legislative and modernisation efforts have been focused on the accessibility of places, goods and services, including digital services, for people with disabilities. Requirements for architectural accessibility, digital accessibility, accessibility of public services are permanently changing the situation of people with disabilities in Poland. The panel will attempt to create a space to summarize the numerous projects and programmes implemented by the government ministries and agencies as well as NGOs, and to set new tasks for the future.

• 7 September, 8.30 – ’Green Transformation as a Growth Driver. How Can Business, Public Administration and Local Government Work Together to Accelerate It?’

Green transformation and green innovation are a growth driver for companies and an opportunity for the Polish economy to become more competitive. Carrying them out requires investment and the process is lengthy and expensive. In many cases, the availability of non-commercial support instruments can be an important element in accelerating these processes for both large companies and SMEs within supply chains.

• 7 September, 11.10 – ’Cooperation in the Region. Overview of initiatives and Good Practices’

The aim of the panel is to discuss selected concepts and models of cooperation at regional and cross-border level in Europe. The starting point will be an overview of initiatives in the Carpathian area, which is an important economic region in this part of Europe. The discussion will also focus on identifying effective financial support instruments for regional initiatives and good practices already in place.

Deputy Minister Marcin Horała

• 5 September, 16.55 – ’Mega Investments as an Opportunity for Economic Development’

Big ideas come with big plans. Throughout history, there were several investments that deeply changed the social, economic and international situation of countries and regions. Countries that had thoughtfully implemented and pursued them risen above the average, increasing their business opportunities. Is there still room in modern democratic systems for investments and initiatives that go beyond the imagination of the majority of citizens? How to prepare the state for very bold projects? How to build public support for such ideas? Mega investments: are they an opportunity for growth or do they hide far more risks than potential gains?

Deputy Minister Ewelina Owczarska

• 6 September, 11.10 – ‘Integration or Disintegration: the Stakes for Exit Policies or New Impulses for Regional Cooperation?’

The internationalisation of economic processes as well as political and strategic links has been a dominant factor on the maps of virtually all continents in the recent decades. At the same time, the upward momentum of these processes encounters counter-trends, centrifugal forces in integration groupings (exit policies) and the revival of isolationist tendencies in various countries (e.g. in the electoral narrative in the US et al.), sanctions policies and the isolation of aggressor countries (Russia). Will the world of the next decades of the 21st century be a world of integration or disintegration with regard to communities of values, strategies, policies, cultures, etc.?

Deputy Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz

• 5 September, 15:30 – Breakfast with Rzeczpospolita: ‘Opportunities for Polish Companies in the Reconstruction of the Ukrainian Economy’

The topic of the debate will include the role of the Government Plenipotentiary for Polish-Ukrainian Development Cooperation in supporting Polish companies in the reconstruction process in Ukraine. Despite the war that has been going on in the country for more than a year and a half, more than 600 of our companies are still doing business there, and another 2,500 are interested in doing so.

 

Debate will be moderated by Małgorzata Szczepańska, Director of the Department of Innovation and Development Support Programmes at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy

• 6 September, 11:10 – ‘Economy-science-innovation - Three Paths to Sustainable Development’

The development of modern economies is decisively influenced not only by the availability of capital, but also by the resources of the natural environment and the ability of people to create and bring about change in science, technology and the operation of institutions and organisations. This means that it is impossible today to plan further development without taking into account three important areas: social, economic and environmental. Therefore, during the panel, we will consider what a pro-innovation policy inspired by sustainable development ideas should look like. What should the financing of innovation look like and what is its most effective model? What should be the priorities of state policy in this area, what and who should have a say in determining them?