Security and transformation will be the most important topics of the 16th European Economic Congress, Jerzy Buzek, chairman of the ECE program council, announced on Thursday at a press conference. New products of this year’s congress were announced: EEC Talks and EEC Green Planet.
– We will definitely talk about security in several dimensions. First of all, about physical security and the arms industry, which is an important element of our economy. We have always talked about agriculture, but this time we will focus more on the security of the food supply. We have known for some time that this is even more important than energy supplies, said Buzek, who chairs the ECE program council, during a press conference on Thursday.
The slogan of this year’s congress, which will be held on May 7-9, is: “Transform today, change tomorrow. Transformation for the future.” Participants will focus on the challenges related to the reconstruction of various socio-economic areas and the relationships of humans and the economy with the natural environment and climate.
The president of the PTWP Group organizing the ECE, Wojciech Kuśpik, emphasized that this time the event will take place in special conditions, six months after the swearing in of the new government in Poland, two months after the local elections and one month before the parliamentary elections. Another aspect that, in his opinion, should be taken into account is the Polish presidency of the EU Council, which will start at the beginning of 2025.
Expectations regarding specific changes and solutions are very high. First of all, they concern that the transformation should be carried out in dialogue with business and local governments – explained Kuśpik.
The head of the Ministry of Industry, Marzena Czarnecka, pointed out that the future of mining and the related challenges are a special topic for the ECE taking place in Katowice.
Nuclear energy is an aspect we should talk about (…) after all, the atom is supposed to replace coal. From my perspective, this will be the main topic of discussion, she emphasized.
A novelty during the 16th ECE will be EEC Talks – conversations with economists, politicians, diplomats, as well as representatives of business, culture and social life, conducted on the open stage of the International Congress Center. Outside, there will be an EEC Green Planet, a new zone related to sustainable development and the concept of a green city. The tents placed there will be a conference, networking, exhibition and relaxation space.
The main thematic trends of the ECE in 2024 are: Europe, geopolitics and economy; Energy, transformation, security; Investments and finance; Law and economy; Climate and sustainable economy; Migration, diversity, labor market; Digital economy, new technologies.
Agriculture at the European Economic Congress
The topics discussed during this year’s congress will also include those related to agriculture. Below we present the agenda:
“Food and agriculture”, such as the Common Agricultural Policy and Polish agriculture, Polish food abroad: successes, opportunities and challenges, Sustainable Polish food, Polish-Ukrainian cooperation in the food industry.
Please note that there is also a debate on biogas and the potential of Polish agriculture in this area, as well as a session on renewable energy and the agricultural sector.
Biogas | May 8, 2024 • 16:30-17:30
Demand for heat and electricity in rural areas. Biogas plants as a stable local source of heat and energy and a step towards making rural areas independent of external energy suppliers. The potential of Polish agriculture in the context of biogas. The scale of possible investments, expenditure and sources of financing, network infrastructure. Regulatory support – expected solutions. Experience from markets where the biogas sector is fully developed.
Polish-Ukrainian cooperation in the food industry | May 8, 2024 • 16:30-17:30
Poland and Ukraine – competition or cooperation? Clear rules, potential beneficiaries. Agriculture and Polish-Ukrainian relations. Farmers’ protests and objections. What should jointly agreed rules cover in order to cooperate in a win-win model and prevent crises? A large food producer just abroad – an opportunity or a threat for Polish processors? Ukrainian agriculture and the Polish food industry – how to build partnership for development in practice? Ukraine in the EU – how to use the agricultural potential of this country.
Sustainable Polish food | May 9, 2024 • 09:30-11:00
What challenges await the sustainable food market? What is its potential in Poland? Green economy – a change that requires commitment. The European Green Deal and the industry’s prospects and competitiveness. Acceptance of new requirements of the EU climate policy. Deposit system from 2025. Will we make it? Single Use Plastics Directive – what should Polish food entrepreneurs know about it? Carbon footprint management – especially in relation to emissions generated in the supply chain; a complex area that requires cooperation with partners and skillful data collection. What are the business benefits that implementing various aspects of the strategy can bring to companies?
Renewable energy and the agricultural sector | May 9, 2024 • 11:30-13:00
Agriculture as an industry and area with potential for the development of renewable energy. Agricultural land suitable for wind investments and large-scale photovoltaics. Cooperation of investors in the renewable energy sector with agricultural industry entities. The potential of biogas and agricultural biomass – possibilities of its use. Farmer as a prosumer – investments in renewable energy sources on farms. Energy cooperatives in agricultural areas. Knowledge, education, role of local governments.
Polish food abroad: successes, opportunities and challenges | May 9, 2024 • 11:30-13:00
The end of simple advantages – how to increase the added value of Polish exports? Export of Polish brands and processed products. The EU market is the main recipient of Polish food – how will the stagnation of the German economy affect exports? Third country markets – where to look for opportunities for Polish food (Asia, Middle East). Competitiveness of Polish food in the context of Ukraine’s rapprochement with the EU – threats, advantages, recipes.
Common Agricultural Policy and Polish agriculture | May 9, 2024 • 11:30-13:00
National agricultural policy in the context of the CAP. Myths and populist slogans towards the countryside and Polish agriculture. The decline of villages, depopulation, structural changes in agriculture – what solutions? National agricultural policy – is it there or maybe it is not there? Active Polish farmers and “small family farms” towards the national agricultural policy. What changes to the CAP for Polish agriculture in the long term? Competitiveness of active farmers and small family farms towards Ukrainian and European agriculture.