XXXV Economic Forum in Karpacz – a leading dialogue platform

A unique group of guests in Karpacz

The world of Polish politics was represented by, among others: deputy prime ministers Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of National Defense and Krzysztof GawkowskiMinister of Digital Affairs, as well as ministers of key ministries: Katarzyna Pełczyńska-NałęczMinister of Funds and Regional Policy; Paulina Hennig-KloskaMinister of Climate and Environment; Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure i Miłosz MotykaMinister of Energy. The debates were attended by: the President of Poland in the years 2015–2025 Andrzej Dudadeputy speakers of the Sejm and Senate: Krzysztof Bosak and Michał Kamiński and former prime ministers: Leszek Miller and Mateusz Morawiecki and Paweł Kowalchairman of the Sejm Foreign Affairs Committee.

The international dimension of the Economic Forum

The Economic Forum in Karpacz attracts outstanding personalities from abroad every year. The international dimension of the 35th edition was highlighted by the presence of over 900 foreign guests, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Filip Ivanovicformer president of the Czech Republic Václav Klausformer Czech Prime Minister Mirka Topolánek and Secretary General of the Organization for the Economic Cooperation of the Black Sea States Lazar Comanescu. A strong representation of government structures was made up of deputy ministers: Jan Sechter from the Czech Republic and Gabriel Gorbačevski, Paulius Petrauskas and Waldemar Urban from Lithuania, as well as vice-chairman of the Hungarian Social Welfare Commission Lőrinc Nacsa. The voice from the United States was represented by: a renowned political scientist Hal Brandsspecial envoy of the President of the United States Nick Adams and former head of marketing at Meta, prof. Nicole Alexander.

The world of global business was represented by managers Justin Gandymanaging director of MSD Polska i Guoxin Suchairman of the management board of CITIC Europe, and the president of the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne took part in the discussion on media and social issues Mykola Chernotytskyi and award-winning documentary photographers Mads Nissen and Ron Haviv. A versatile, prestigious group of speakers gave the debates a truly global dimension.

Business and science at the Forum

This year, the group of business partners was joined by… 15% more entities than last year. Among 170 partner companies there were both small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the pillar of the Polish economy, as well as leading investors, innovators and global corporations that have a particular impact on shaping the future of Europe.

Representatives of as many as: debated within the structures of the Family Business Network in Karpacz 107 Polish family businessesgenerating a total turnover of PLN 120 billion annually. Leading managers actively participated in the panels, including: Krzysztof PawińskiCEO of Maspex; Dariusz MiłekCEO of Modivo Group; Grzegorz Dzikpresident of the management board of Impel; Zbigniew Jakubaspresident of the management board of Multico, Artur Popekpresident of the management board of Budimex SA or Włodzimierz Wlaźlakpresident of the management board of Lidl Polska.

The science sector had a strong representation. The forum hosted over 600 scientists representing 150 universities and representatives of the most important universities in the country, including: Piotr Wachowiakrector of the Warsaw School of Economics – the Main Substantive Partner of the Forum; Alojzy Z. Nowakrector of the University of Warsaw; Andrzej Szaratarector of the Krakow University of Technology; Piotr Jedynakrector of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków; Jerzy Lisrector of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków; Adam Woźniakvice-rector of the Warsaw University of Technology and Czesław Zającrector of the Wrocław University of Economics.

Key decisions, contracts and reports

During the Forum, administration representatives announced groundbreaking initiatives. Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak announced that PKP Intercity has ordered an additional 32 Griffin EU200 electric locomotives from Newag, extending the contract from 2024. A contract was also signed for the modernization of the IMWM-PIB High Mountain Meteorological Observatory on Śnieżka, worth nearly PLN 25 million.

A report was presented in the area of ​​security “Security of supply chains in the Polish defense industry in peacetime”prepared by specialists from six Polish universities. In turn, SGH experts together with the conference organizers presented the annual, prestigious conference “Report of the Warsaw School of Economics and the Economic Forum”analyzing the macroeconomic dilemmas of our region.

The 17th Health Protection Forum, where the assumptions were presented, attracted great interest National Drug Policy for 2027–2032and dedicated thematic paths: Forum Poland–Czech Republic, Forum Polish-Chinese and Health Protection Forum. At the same time, intense local government discussions were taking place within Regions Forumwhich gathered over 1,200 representatives of local authoritiesincl 23 marshals voivodeships, 54 presidents cities and 80 starostas.

Rich cultural program

This year’s edition of the Economic Forum went down in history with a record-breaking cultural program, including 54 author’s meetings carried out in cooperation with Jagiellonian University and PWN Scientific Publishing House. Various literature was presented on numerous stages – from economics and artificial intelligence to fiction and reportages – and new formats of special talks were introduced. The events attracted a huge audience who had the opportunity to participate in meetings with outstanding Polish and international experts, scientists and personalities from the world of media and politics, such as prof. Hal Brands, prof. Jerzy Bralczyk, prof. Andrzej Dragan, Mads Nissen Whether Ron Haviv, and participants could receive books with the authors’ autographs.

Prestigious awards of the XXXV Economic Forum

The culminating part of the evening galas was the presentation of awards to outstanding personalities and distinguished entities. Man of the Year stayed Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczakand the title Companies of the Year went to Polish Armaments Group. Cancer Fighters Foundation has been announced Non-Governmental Organization of the Year. The Economic Forum’s Culture and Science Award was awarded prof. Marta Kwiatkowska from the University of Oxford.

The Economic Forum, organized by the Institute of Eastern Studies Foundation in cooperation with the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the city of Karpacz, the city of Wrocław, the Wrocław Airport and the Gołębiewski Hotel, has once again become an influential platform for dialogue connecting key areas of socio-economic life.

More information: www.forum-ekonomiczne.pl