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Over 200 sessions correctly diagnosing today’s reality, several dozen accompanying events, 1,300 brilliant speakers an a stagerring 18,000 participants – The 17th edition of the European Economic Congress concluded on April 25th in Katowice.
This year’s European Economic Congress took place at a turning point for Poland, Europe, and the world, which set the tone for the debates and resonated in behind-the-scenes conversations. In the year of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Congress’s motto – Together for a Safe Future – emphasised throughout the three days of discussions the necessity for dialogue and facing challenges side by side.
”Together for a Safe Future, the motto of this year’s edition, reflects the spirit of community thinking that underpins the Congress and at the same time refers to Poland’s presidency of the EU Council. The entire agenda features references to security – to what it depends on and what it is directly linked to: a strong, competitive economy and an integrated Europe that is decisive in its actions. In the unstable reality in which we operate, it is evident how strong the need for direct relations and substantive exchange of opinions has become. It is likely that this important need, which the Congress consistently addresses, led to this year’s record attendance, once again confirming its status as the largest event of its kind in Central Europe”, said Wojciech Kuśpik, President of the PTWP Group, initiator and organiser of the European Economic Congress, as he opened the 17th edition of the event on the stage of Spodek.
The President of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, emphasised that the European Economic Congress had gathered people who know best what needs to be done to ensure that the Polish and European economies remain strong and competitive.
“It is you who will guide us on what to do to lead our cities, our regions, our country, and the whole of Europe for the common good. We need a table and dialogue to work out solutions that will be beneficial for all parties. What is happening in the world today prompts us to make certain decisions, such as opening up to new markets like the Arab countries and China. It is worth reflecting on this. Let us build bridges”, urged the President.
Wojciech Saługa, Marshal of the Silesian Province, pointed out that new ideas sweeping across the world are redefining its order.
“These are truly groundbreaking times. New technologies, new ideas, and the first hundred days of Donald Trump’s presidency have shown that the table has been overturned. We are building a new order and new rules. We are seeking opportunity and hope within this, and we are ready for change. What that change should be, we will hear from you here”, said the Marshal.
“We managed to free ourselves from the shackles of communism in 1989. We built a strong economy, we carried out an energy transition, and many changes not only in Silesia but across the whole of Poland. We are ready for change, but it is important to understand what that change will entail. Transformation does not mean liquidation”, argued the Governor of Silesian Province, Marek Wójcik.
A letter to the guests of the European Economic Congress was written by former Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, who is also the Chair of the EEC Programme Council.
“Europe needs breakthrough solutions. The European Economic Congress has always responded to dramatic challenges, and I am convinced that it will be the same this time. Europe’s security – in seven key dimensions: military, internal, health, food, digital, and, above all, economic and energy – is the most demanding challenge in the history of our meetings”, wrote Jerzy Buzek.
The opening debate under the theme “Security and the Economy” served as an introduction to this year’s Congress discussions and a kind of synthesis of the event’s overall theme. Over three days, experts spoke about global instability, the changing configuration of alliances, and the growing competition for resources, all of which are forcing a redefinition of economic strategies both at the national and EU levels.
Marzena Czarnecka, Minister of Industry, spoke about energy security. She assured that the schedule for the Polish nuclear project – the country’s first nuclear power plant – remains on track.
“I hence make the following declaration: we will pour concrete for the Polish nuclear power plant in 2028. It will start feeding electricity to the grid in 2036”, she announced. “As we move away from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy sources, nuclear becomes a necessity but also an opportunity. Moving away from coal brings us closer to nuclear. This is Poland’s path”, she argued.
“Clean energy ensures security, independence, stable energy prices, and supports economic development”, said Rt Hon Lord Hunt, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in the United Kingdom, sharing Britain’s experience in a security-driven energy transition.
Meanwhile, Lukas Savickas, Lithuania’s Minister for Economy and Innovation, emphasised the need to support business during the energy transformation.
“We must harness our potential for future development so that we can ‘drive on the highway’ towards investment”, he urged.
He pledged to simplify regulations to shorten the time to investment readiness – especially concerning strategic investments vital for the economy’s resilience to external instability. He also positively referenced Poland’s presidency of the EU Council, recalling that deregulation is one of the key European and Polish priorities.
Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Undersecretary of State in the European Union Affairs Division at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, spoke about the achievements of the Polish presidency.
“There is no security without competitiveness, and competitiveness is only possible when business can grow without being constrained by excessive regulation”, she stressed, highlighting the importance of the European leaders’ agreement on the need to reduce and simplify regulations that burden business, increase operating costs, and lower competitiveness.
She listed key decisions made during Poland’s presidency: excluding defence spending from public debt calculations, the SAFE package (€150 billion for armaments) including purchases outside Europe, and the inclusion of the “Eastern Shield” – currently under development in Poland – in strategic EU documents.
Dariusz Marzec, President of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, Ireneusz Fąfara, CEO of Orlen, and Grzegorz Lot, President of Tauron Polska Energia, outlined the priorities for Poland’s transformation.
Dariusz Marzec stated that the issue of energy security is being redefined in today’s world. He opened by quoting Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne, who said that “the Holy Grail of Polish energy is flexibility”.
“Today, the moment of energy production and the moment of its consumption are completely diverging. This is an entirely new situation that we have not faced for several decades”, he said, stressing that flexibility of energy sources will be provided by gas, as it can respond within minutes to the operator’s needs and ensure stable supplies in the face of the dynamic nature of renewable energy supply.
“In a few years, we are supposed to enter the hydrogen reality – a reality no one knows. Hydrogen is like the yeti – everyone has heard of it, but no one has seen it. I am a strong advocate for gas”, he asserted.
Ireneusz Fąfara agreed with the role of gas as a tool for ensuring security. “In a rather unconventional way, we have recognised that the path to secure energy in Poland leads through gas, which will guarantee our security until 2050. We are building two gas power plants and planning another three”, said Ireneusz Fąfara.
He emphasised that the road to energy security also runs through regional alliances, for example around the Baltic Sea. “The countries of the Baltic region account for one-third of Europe’s emissions and energy consumption. We want to focus our activities there”, he added.
According to Dariusz Marzec, Europe should reconsider its priorities. “We must answer the question of what is most important to us, what will underpin our military and economic security in terms of competitiveness. If we have €500, €800 billion, or even €1 trillion available to achieve climate goals, I must ask whether there is no better way to spend that money: on defence, on reducing energy prices, and on improving the competitiveness of the European economy – rather than fighting for an additional 5% reduction by 2050”, he stressed.
Grzegorz Lot, President of Tauron Polska Energia, added: “I care deeply about emissions levels, because the fight against emissions is a stimulus for change. In the EU, we have a strategy that states we are building competitive advantage based on something. We believe in this, and many people are counting on its success. If we change our strategy, we will lose. I am convinced that achieving zero emissions will make us price-competitive”, he said.
Three different perspectives on what economic security means in practice from a business standpoint were presented during the EEC inauguration by Michał Sołowow, industrialist and investor; Kenneth Campbell, President of telecommunications giant Play (part of the Iliad Group); and Rafał Modrzewski, co-founder of ICEYE, a Polish-Finnish satellite systems producer.
Kenneth Campbell outlined methods of ensuring the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure against constant acts of cyber-aggression. He also referred to the drive for deregulation. In his view, simplifying the approach to infrastructure investment could significantly improve its condition and security.
Michał Sołowow argued for the critical role of competitiveness in domestic industrial production as a component of security. “If European manufacturers bear the burdens of regulations tied to climate policy, while importers and exporters into Europe are free from these obligations, it deeply distorts competitiveness and the free market”, he stated.
“If we want to move towards clean energy and protect the planet, we cannot do it alone in Europe; we must influence the world”, he emphasised. “The concept of temporary reliance on gas is not bad, but it is not a final solution. At OSGE, we aim to deliver a fleet of SMRs that should start being built and generating power from 2030. Unfortunately, this cannot happen without full synchronisation with the Polish state. It is not an alternative project, but a complementary one to the state’s plans”, he explained.
Rafał Modrzewski focused on the role of technologies such as drones, AI, and radar satellites in maintaining the security of countries and institutions. ICEYE has so far placed a constellation of 50 satellites into orbit, allowing for exceptionally precise Earth observation, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
“They are eyes on the world, enabling us to understand reality and respond”, stressed the President of ICEYE. “We were dependent on technology from outside Europe. Will we now invest in our own solutions that will translate into security? Europe has the potential”, he insisted.
As part of this year’s Congress, taking into account the context of Poland’s presidency of the European Union, the Ministry of Industry organised the conference “Energy Security and Regional Transformation”. Representatives of the Polish government and ministers from other European countries took part in a series of three debates.
The conference was preceded by a briefing from the Ministry of Industry, during which Deputy Minister Wojciech Wrochna announced that a bridging agreement with American companies regarding further implementation of the nuclear project could be signed next week. Poland’s first nuclear power plant is to be built at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Pomerania region. The government plenipotentiary also indicated that the draft amendment to the Polish Nuclear Energy Programme is expected to be published later this week.
A guest at the Congress was Craig Albert, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bechtel Group, which has already delivered nearly 150 nuclear projects worldwide. “In the Polish nuclear project, we will be using our experience from other nuclear initiatives, including the construction of Units 3 and 4 at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in the United States”, he declared.
During the “Energy Security and Regional Transformation” conference, the Ministry of Industry presented the framework of the White Paper on Transformation, being drafted in cooperation with the World Bank. The document consists of three parts: land management for post-mining areas, support for individuals affected by the transformation, and the management of the transformation process itself.
“We assume that by the end of June a clean draft text will be ready for consultation, as we would like all sides to be involved — both business and social partners. I want this to mark the beginning of the next phase of work”, announced Marzena Czarnecka, the Minister of Industry.
The Ministry reiterated that the foundation of energy security lies in diversifying supply sources to build energy stability and reduce dependency on energy commodities from third countries. Wojciech Wrochna pointed out that transformation means reaching a new energy mix, centred around nuclear power.
“It is meant to ensure energy security and access to energy that is both zero-emission and dispatchable. Nuclear energy will be the cornerstone of energy security”, he stressed
The Mayor of Warsaw and presidential candidate representing the Civic Coalition, Rafał Trzaskowski, was one of the guests on the first day of the 17th European Economic Congress. He spoke at EEC Talks – an open stage where conversations with guests, including renowned economists, politicians, diplomats, and figures from the worlds of business, culture, and public life, took place.
He argued that the current turbulence on the international stage – primarily between China and the United States – is also destabilising the European market.
“One thing is clear: the management of the economy and our approach to the economy in Europe require a significant adjustment”, he said. “I am absolutely convinced that in this new situation, Poland must take care of its own interests and not wait for a completely new world order to emerge from the dust and chaos. Economic patriotism is the answer to what is happening”, he argued.
Rafał Trzaskowski also emphasised that investing in domestic industrial capacity, providing support, and ensuring equal treatment of entrepreneurs – whether from state-owned or private companies – is absolutely critical to making Polish products and services competitive on the international stage.
“We need a state that can support the development of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and private capital, while of course not undermining internal competition within the EU. It is very important to set this balance clearly. But if we want to have a strong Polish and European market, we must protect it, especially in these difficult times”, he said.
He also referred to the work of the deregulation task force, whose initiatives he openly supports.
“If we want to strengthen the competitiveness of the European Union, this is exactly the direction we should take. It cannot be the case that the European regulations we implement are applied even more strictly in Poland”, he pointed out. “The European Union must not punish its own entrepreneurs for its ambitions, whether climate-related or social”, he insisted.
During the Congress, discussions focused on how to build sustainable models of international cooperation and strengthen the resilience of economies under the new conditions. According to participants, in an unstable geopolitical environment, Europe must simultaneously maintain its internal cohesion and its ability to engage in global economic cooperation, especially in the context of Ukraine’s reconstruction and securing access to raw materials.
Tomasz Domogała, the President of TDJ, during the session “Europe’s Competitive Economy”, vividly illustrated the structural inequalities the EU faces in the global economic race, calling for urgent deregulation, cheaper energy, and easier access to capital.
“If we were to compare what is happening in the global economy to a volleyball match, it would turn out that our competitors are playing with six players, while we are playing with three, they might be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs, and our public procurement laws do not even allow our fans to cheer us on. The European economy is not in agony. The Union has realised the situation just in time. The report published in September 2024 by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has been particularly thought-provoking. In January this year, the European Commission presented a competitiveness compass based on the report’s conclusions However, it is necessary to quickly turn these words into concrete solutions that stimulate the European economy. Europe needs a scaling effect. We must take the next step”, he said.
According to Domogała, Europe should work towards lowering energy costs, making labour laws more flexible, strongly deregulating, and improving access to capital.
During the Congress, it was also argued that Europe must develop a new economic development strategy to compete with China and the United States. The European Union is adapting more slowly and less effectively to the demands of globalisation.
Deregulation in Poland was discussed during a debate held on the second day of the Congress.
“There is political and administrative will to implement legislative changes as part of the deregulation prepared by the SprawdzaMy movement. The government has already received 249 deregulation proposals, of which 173 have so far been reviewed”, said Jurand Drop, the Deputy Minister of Finance.
Since the entrepreneurs’ civic movement “SprawdzaMy” began its work, around 14,500 proposals for changes to regulations have been submitted. “We are witnessing a truly massive deregulation effort. This is due to the existence of both political and administrative will, which means that the changes will happen. For us, the most important factors are the quality and rationality of the solutions that will be adopted”, said the Deputy Minister of Finance.
“By the end of May, we will present our proposals, and we assume that the government will have 100 days to present its implementation plans and prepare draft legislation. We do not plan to conclude our activities on June 1st”, commented Jacek Socha, the coordinator of the SprawdzaMy project and Minister of the State Treasury from 2004 to 2005.
Important perspectives also emerged during the debate discussing the findings of the specially drafted Congress report “Engines of Polish Growth. Business Concerns and Demands”. Krzysztof Pawiński, President of the Maspex Group, referring among other things to EU regulations concerning carbon footprint reporting, emphasised: “The fact that we will have to report more will not make our business better. You cannot legislate that into existence”, he explained.
In his view, postponing the moment when the obligation to report will apply to a wide range of companies is of little significance because the costs that are now being deferred will eventually have to be borne anyway.
Zbigniew Jakubas, owner of the Multico Group and Motor Lublin, speaking during the session “Investment and development” stated that trillions of zloty are lying dormant in entrepreneurs’ bank accounts, but businesses are afraid to spend them because of overregulation and excessive bureaucracy. “Some of these unnecessary regulations were imposed by the European Union, but part of it is the result of our own domestic foolishness”, he noted.
Digitisation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies are transforming the European economy, creating both opportunities and risks.
Congress participants discussed how to support the development of innovative solutions while ensuring data security and the stability of cyberspace.
There was a focus on the need to harmonise regulations, invest in future technologies, and build strong ecosystems for start-ups and technology companies capable of competing in the global market.
There were also many calls for minimising the risks associated with data security and cybersecurity.
Experts pointed out that investments in infrastructure are crucial for the digital transformation, but equally important is building public trust in new technological solutions.
The challenges related to the digital transformation of the state and society were at the heart of the keynote speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski, which opened the debate “Digitalisation, technologies, regulations”.
“Digital sovereignty does not begin with the state, but with the citizen”, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He also stressed that the foundations of digital sovereignty are not just infrastructure or institutions, but the awareness and skills of citizens.
“We still don’t know how to ‘read’ the technology that has entered our lives. We cannot yet imagine the enormous influence of a device we use every day – and without which we likely could no longer function”, he pointed out.
He warned that “only 20% of Poles have basic digital competencies and understand what they are using, while the remaining 80% use digital tools almost completely unaware of how they work, what they do, and what risks they pose”.
He also highlighted the urgent need for appropriate legal regulations to protect users against manipulation, disinformation, and online abuse.
“The digital war is already underway. It is being waged, among others, against Russia – and other countries will join because the era of geopolitical calm is over. The world is becoming increasingly polarised, and we are living in pre-war times. Tanks will not enter Poland any time soon, and planes will not fly over Warsaw – but Russian and Belarusian digital tanks are already here, in our cyberspace, which is the battlefield”, warned the Minister for Digital Affairs.
Krzysztof Gawkowski also expressed support for the European Commission’s actions against tech giants, stressing the need to enforce compliance with EU law by global digital platforms. “I’m not surprised by the European Commission’s decision to impose significant fines on Apple and Meta, because for many months we’ve seen breaches of the DMA”, he said.
The growing threats in cyberspace are making cybersecurity a key element of responsible governance in both the private and public sectors. During the panel “Cybersecurity in business”, strong messages were voiced by public authorities and representatives of key infrastructure sectors. Michał Pukaluk, Deputy Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the Ministry of Digital Affairs, announced a comprehensive amendment of regulations.
“We must introduce new frameworks, such as the 5G Toolbox or approaches involving service and process delivery by high-risk vendors (HRVs). We have the S46 system, which will be used for entities to report incidents. We will provide services in the area of cyber threat intelligence (CTI), anti-DDoS protection, and the n6 system. We are also working on the cyber.gov.pl portal – where businesses will either be able to find relevant information or handle obligations imposed by the legislation”, he said.
Agnieszka Okońska, the Vice President of Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne, stressed: “As we see in conventional warfare, critical infrastructure becomes the second target after military facilities. Even if we are not at war, we may still be under threat – and in that case, the opponent’s weapon is a cyberattack. Nowadays, attacks are sophisticated, state-sponsored, and far from amateur-level. The intent of attacks has also shifted – from purely financial motives, such as building a business on stolen data, to the takeover of operational control, for instance, of ship traffic systems. This is hybrid warfare. PSE has long been fulfilling protective duties, and directives like NIS2 we treat as enhancements of what we’ve always practised”, she explained.
Tomasz Dreslerski, Enterprise Executive at Microsoft, identified areas in need of improvement: “Cybersecurity is often not embedded in companies’ strategy – even though it is an inherent part of it. Many entities use multiple providers – one handles antivirus, another manages firewalls – and at the end of the day, you need significant technological expertise to determine whether these technologies are actually protecting us”, he said.
Throughout the three days of the Congress, innovation, new technologies, ambitious projects, and forward-looking partnerships for Polish business featured prominently in debates and meetings.
On the first day of the EEC, the new Ultre 4 Cargo electric vehicle, developed by a team led by Oskar Zięta – renowned designer, architect, and inventor of the FiDU technology – made its debut.
On the second day, representatives of the City of Katowice and the Marshal Office of the Silesian Voivodship signed a letter of intent with ICEYE. This global leader in SAR satellite data collaborates with, among others, NATO’s Situation Centre and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Under the signed letter of intent, the company will open an office in Katowice, on the grounds of the former “Wieczorek” mine, as part of a gaming and technology hub aimed at supporting the video game industry, artificial intelligence, and advanced space technologies.
The Congress also gives a platform to scientists and creates opportunities for collaboration between science and business. Throughout the event, the stand of the AGH University of Kraków promoted the opening of a new faculty dedicated to preparing students for work in the space sector. The proposed programme of studies, which has attracted enormous interest, includes courses co-led by experts from the space industry, space agencies, and technology firms.
“Now is the time for space and its exploration. At this moment, it is essential for science and technology. In fact, Earth would not exist without observation from space. Space is us”, said AGH Rector, Professor Jerzy Lis.
In keeping with tradition, at the European Economic Congress announced were the results of industry competition. The “Investor Without Borders” awards honoured investors who, through courage, consistency, and responsibility during times of dynamic geopolitical and economic change, contribute to building a secure and competitive economy. The awarded companies included: Boeing, Budimex, ICEYE, 3M, eSky, Sandoz, Saint-Gobain, LipCo Foods, Microsoft, and Kulczyk Investments.
The “Investor Without Borders” gala was combined with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the WNP.PL portal. The editorial team presented a new version of the website, launched on April 24th. The refreshed site features a modern, organised layout, richer multimedia content, and a new logo that highlights the brand’s consistency and growth. At the same time, the analytical and reporting initiative WNP Economic Trends was launched, providing even deeper context for the processes shaping the Polish and European economies.
On the second day of the Congress, the “Top Municipal Investments” awards gala took place. Public projects that address the needs of local communities, improve quality of life, modernise infrastructure, and enhance the attractiveness of regions were recognised. The awarded projects, exemplary in combining vision, responsibility, and a modern approach to managing public spaces, included: Thermal waste treatment installation in Olsztyn; Revitalisation of bastions I–III of Fort 2 “Kościuszko” in Kraków; Modernisation of the Płaszów Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kraków; Construction of the Velostrada cycle route in Katowice; Construction of the municipal stadium in Katowice – Phase I; Improving access to cultural resources in Płońsk; Construction of the Municipal Stadium in Opole; Revitalisation of historic buildings in Stara Ustka; Reclamation of the water reservoir in Sielpia – Końskie Municipality; Adaptation of buildings for the needs of the Puppet and Actor Theatre in Kielce. In the readers’ poll organised by portalsamorzadowy.pl, the revitalisation project of Biskupia Górka in Gdańsk was voted the winner.
Once again, the best start-ups triumphed on the Congress stage. The winners of this year’s edition of the EEC Startup Challenge were: Spaceform, Osmia Future, OutlineAI, BangProof, Kinetic Cortex, Use Waste, and Agro Contracts, which also won the audience award.
The EEC Talks series also returned to the Congress stage. This year, the dynamic live discussions were divided into themes, enabling participants to find dialogues that particularly matched their interests. Under the themes Europe, Tech, Global, Deregulation, Inspiration, Politics, and Green, the discussions focused on the future of Europe, digital transformation and new technologies, global markets and expansion, biodiversity and sustainable development, and business-led social initiatives as well as personalities who can inspire others.
How would I sum up this year’s Congress? It is no coincidence that the word 'European' is in our name. The success of Polish business in recent years has been possible thanks to the European Union — without it, it would not have spread its wings so wide. That is why this year it has been particularly emphasised that our future lies in even greater integration with Europe. Many entrepreneurs pointed out that if we want to ensure security and competitiveness, we must act as one Europe, not as individual countries”, said Wojciech Kuśpik, summarising this year’s Congress.
“Every year, we are amazed by the impact of the Congress. Each time, it results in over 100,000 business conversations, often forming the foundations for concrete projects. The topics discussed here become an important voice in the public sphere, live on, and pave the way for positive changes for both Poland and Europe”, he added.
The European Economic Congress was held from 23–25 April 2025 at the International Congress Centre in Katowice and the adjacent Spodek arena.
Since its first edition in 2009, the Congress has been organised by the PTWP Group.
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