The discussion will focus on the priorities, achievements, and challenges that accompanied Poland during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Particular attention will be given to Poland’s influence on the EU agenda and the role of the Parliament in the legislative process. Strategic reflections and conclusions for future presidencies within the Trio framework will also be addressed, with a special emphasis on recommendations for the upcoming Danish Presidency. The panel will provide a comprehensive overview of Poland’s contribution to shaping the future direction of the European Union.

The following individuals will participate:

• Katarzyna Smyk – Director of the European Commission Office in Poland;

• Witold Naturski – Director of the European Parliament Office in Poland

• Marta Stachowiak – Director of the Department of EU External Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

• Aleksander Siemaszko – Director of the Department of Trade and International Cooperation, Ministry of Development and Technology

• Jakub Bińkowski – Member of the Management Board, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Moderation:

Lusyne Kesziszjan – Public Affairs Manager, ZPP Brussels Office

Europe’s competitiveness is a topic that has for months been igniting the public debate in nearly all of the EU Member States. This cannot be considered surprising given how, according to EY, foreign direct investment in the Old Continent has lately reached its lowest level in 9 years, as well as how the bloc’s GDP grew by only 21% between 2007 and 2022, compared to the growth rates of 72% and 290% for the United States and China respectively. What factors are stymying our development today and how can we minimise their impact? During the discussion, we will cover multiple themes, including challenges in international trade and the reform of the European single market.

The following individuals will participate:

• Ignacy Niemczycki – Secretary of State, Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland;
• Antje Gerstein – Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Managing Director of the German Retail Federation (HDE);
• Elżbieta Bieńkowska – European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (2014–2019), European Commission;
• Marta Mikliszańska – Director of Group Public Policy, Allegro;
• Michał Boni – ZPP Coordinator for the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Moderation:
Aleksandra Wróbel – Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP)

The debate aims to facilitate the exchange of views and insights regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028–2034, seeking answers on how to adapt the EU’s long-term budget to a Europe undergoing profound transformations, evolving needs, and shifting priorities. It will also explore the role that Poland is expected to play in this context.

The following individuals will participate:

• Jan Szyszko – Secretary of State, Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy
• Jacek Protas – Member of the European Parliament, 10th Term, European Parliament
• Jan Olbrycht – Member of the European Parliament, 9th Term, European Parliament
• Marcin Nowacki – Vice President, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers; Member of the EESC

Moderation:

Julita Muszyńska – Legal Analyst, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Europe’s energy transition is entering a decisive phase—this is a crucial moment to evaluate past actions and define realistic priorities for the years ahead. During the plenary panel, representatives of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Climate and Environment, EU institutions, and industry stakeholders will discuss the future direction of energy and climate policy, new national strategy frameworks, and how to effectively leverage instruments such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The panel will also address how to adapt frameworks like the Clean Industrial Deal to meet the needs of both Polish and European businesses. The discussion will further focus on how to avoid fragmentation of competences between institutions and ensure a coherent, constructive policy that supports the competitiveness of European industry.

The following individuals will participate:

• Marzena Rogalska – Principal Adviser on Industrial Decarbonisation, DG CLIMA, European Commission
• Damian Fogel – Director of the International Regulatory Office, ORLEN S.A.
• Dorota Jeziorowska – Director of the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, Ministry of Industry
• Maciej Filip Bukowski – Head of the Energy and Resilience Programme, Kazimierz Pułaski Foundation

Moderator:

• Maciej Drozd – Director of the Energy and Climate Forum, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

In the face of mounting geopolitical tensions, Europe is confronted with the need to redefine its security architecture. This panel will serve as a platform to identify key threats and to review the security-related actions undertaken during Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Together, we will reflect on the future of European defence policy in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.

The following individuals will participate:

• Tomasz Husak – Advisor at the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), European Commission;
• Andrzej Grzyb – Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on National Defence;
• Bartłomiej Kot – Expert on Foreign and Defence Policy, Aspen Institute Central Europe.

Moderation:

Małgorzata Jakubowska – Secretary of the Legal and Legislative Department, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.

GARAGE ROOM | Energy Panel:

“SMR Reactors as a Safe Source of Stable Energy for Europe”

The following individuals will participate:

• Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski – Vice-Chair of the Senate Team on Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy Sources

• Paweł Pytlarczyk – Vice President, National Atomic Energy Agency

• Alice Neffe – Country Manager, Steady Energy

• Jakub Papiernik – Global Generation Solution Manager, Hitachi Energy

• Representative of Orlen Synthos Green Energy

Moderation:

Maciej Drozd – Director of the Energy and Climate Forum, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.

RESEARCH ROOM | Health Panel:

“Challenges and the Future of the European Strategy on Rare Diseases”

The following individuals will participate::

• Urszula Demkow – Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Health;

• Marzanna Bieńkowska – Deputy Director of the Department of Cooperation, Office of the Patient Ombudsman;

• Assoc. Prof. Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk, M.D., Ph.D. – Head of the Department and Clinic of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw; Chair of the Council for Rare Diseases at the Ministry of Health;

• Assoc. Prof. Anna Latos-Bieleńska, M.D., Ph.D. – National Consultant in Clinical Genetics; Head of the Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Karol Marcinkowski Medical University in Poznań; Chair of the Central Team of the Polish Registry of Congenital Developmental Defects;

• Stanisław Maćkowiak – President of the National Forum for Therapy of Rare Diseases ORPHAN;

• Assoc. Prof. Dominik Olejniczak, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. – Department of Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw; Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute.

Moderation:

Aleksandra Sienkiewicz – Director of the Health Forum, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.

TRENDHOUSE | Automotive Panel:

„Competitiveness of the European Automotive Sector”

The following individuals will participate:

• Krzysztof Bolesta – Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment;
• Tomasz Bęben – President of the Management Board, Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Manufacturers;
• Bartosz Jóźwik – Member of the Management Board and Director of the Forvia Plant;
• Iwona Kornatko – Co-owner of the Morela Automotive Service;
• Agata Wysogrocka-Korczyńska – Product Compliance Director at ZF Aftermarket

Moderation:

Emilia Szczukowska – Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.