Defining Europe’s Future: Central and Eastern Europe in the Driver’s Seat


Day 1, 7th October


12:30 – 13:30       LUNCH

Venue: Restaurant, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

13:20 – 13:30       OFFICIAL WELCOME

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

RÓBERT VASS, President, GLOBSEC
GORDON BAJNAI, Partner and Chairman of the Global Advisory Board, Campbell Lutyens & Member of the Board of Directors, GLOBSEC
MATHIAS CORMANN, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
MAITHREYI SEETHARAMAN, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Facultas Media Limited

13:30 – 14:30       OPENING SESSION

#GLOBALECONOMY #COSTOFLIVING #EU

On the Brink of a Recession? Traversing the changed economic reality

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Another crisis is shaking the global economy: the Russian war in Ukraine derailed the post-pandemic robust recovery, with ripple effects felt significantly in Europe. Alarming inflation levels caused skyrocketing prices of food, fuel, and fertilizers that are leading to an intense cost-of-living crisis. While consumers confidence is decreasing, interest rates are reaching new highs and contributing to a new disrupted economic reality. Against the negative predictions for the first quarter of 2023 and the threat of a recession, are there any possible measures to minimise the effects of this new crisis and avoid an economic downturn? How can the EU support central governments in the attempt to provide economic relief to the business sector and prompt growth and investments? What actions and policies are necessary to effectively navigate the present turning point in Europe’s economic dilemma?

MATHIAS CORMANN, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
MARTIN KOCHER, Federal Minister of Labour and Economy of the Republic of Austria
MARCEL KLIMEK, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
TORNBJORN CAESAR, Senior Partner, Actis
Led by: MAITHREYI SEETHARAMAN, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Facultas Media Limited

14:30 – 15:00     COFFEE BREAK

15:00 – 16:30     BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Upon separate invitation only)

#GEOPOLITICS #DEMOCRACY #EU

Winter is Coming: European Union unity put to the test

Venue: Kriván, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

There is almost unanimous agreement that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has catapulted the European Union toward greater geopolitical assertiveness and unity. But forced to wrestle with soaring inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, and the real prospect of energy rationing in the depths of winter, Europe’s leaders now face a daunting test. Can they continue to hold the line in facing down Russia’s aggression? Or will their solidarity crumble as pushback from angry consumers obliges them to dial down their hostility to Moscow?

ANDREJ STANČÍK, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
ANDREJA METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ,  State Secretary for Europe at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Croatia
ALEXANDRE ADAM, Former Europe Adviser to French President
SALLY PAINTER, Chief Operating Officer, Blue Star Strategies
Led by: MARTIN KLUS, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic

#EU #FISCALPOLICY #ECONOMICCRISIS

EU Fiscal Policies in Times of Distress

Venue: Deluxe Room, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic had already opened the debate on whether the EU fiscal framework is “fit for the purpose” and a reform of the existing set of rules must be initiated. Following the outbreak of the war, the global economy is entering in a weaker position than predicted and further measures must be taken to avoid the recession. The current differences among Member States concerning public debts and fiscal policies are going to grow significantly, and with the perspective of a slow recovery, the risk is that complying with the EU fiscal standards is going to be impossible for certain countries. Do Member States recognize the necessity of a reform of the EU Fiscal standards? Is there a way to create a “One size fits all” policy that can actually be suitable for all the economies of the single market? What can governments do to propel this discussion?

MARCEL KLIMEK, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
LINDA ZEILINA, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, International Sustainable Finance Centre
ZDENĚK ČECH, Economist, Representation of the European Commission to the Slovak Republic
Led by: SOŇA MUZIKÁROVÁ, Macroeconomist & Policy Advisor, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic


#CEE #SMEs #INVESTMENTSTRATEGY

A Scale-up fund as the key to access finance in the Danube Tech Valley?

Venue: Junior Apartment, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Public backed venture capital funds play a greater role in mobilising the regional innovation ecosystem compared to private venture capital funds. Some CEE countries have limited access to traditional funding, particularly for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on the premise that the region’s enterprises suffer from a shortage of growth capital more than seed capital, structure a dedicated growth equity fund to provide capital for high-growth tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) beyond the venture capital stage and with a “cross-border dimension”. How to ensure that funding is available through a cross-border fund and that it is being matched with the innovation opportunities? What should the optimal investment strategy be, taking into consideration the local context?

MARTIN BARTYZAL, Chief Executive Officer, Czech National Development Fund 
MICHAL KOSINA, Mandate Officer, European Investment Fund 
LUKASZ JANUSZEWSKI, Member of the Board, Raiffeisen Bank 
MILOŠ JEŠKO, Chief Financial Officer, Slovak Investment Holding
Led by: WILHELM MOLTERER, Chairman of the Board of Directors, GLOBSEC


#CEE #ENERGYDEPENDENCY #REPOWEREU

Central European’s Energy Security in Uncertain Times: Stepping up Regional Cooperation and Private-Public Synergies

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Issues of energy security and affordability have risen to the top of the European Union agenda following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The EU and Member States are putting huge efforts into decoupling from Russia’s energy sources and preparing for the winter heating season. The multiple packages of sanctions coupled with new policies, first and foremost REPowerEU, are changing the EU energy landscape in a radical way. Besides reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the REPowerEU plan aims at fostering the green transition, including by further increasing the target of renewable energy from 40% to 45% by 2030.  Questions remains as to how to cost-effectively couple the switch from fossil fuels to green energy sources and the preservation of energy security. Coordinated actions across the CEE region are essential to face the energy crisis and build an energy sector that is affordable, secure, emission-free and independent. In particular, regional coordination would be key to increase resilience via-à-vis the decoupling from Russian energy sources and, in the longer-term, to shape secure CEE energy systems in line with the EU Green Deal climate targets.                                               

ATILLA STEINER, State Secretary, Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary
ANITA ORBÁN, Former Energy Security Ambassador of Hungary
TORBJORN CEASAR, Senior Partner, ACTIS
MAREK SENKOVIČ, Chief Executive Officer, Slovnaft   
ALEXANDER RESCH, Chief Executive Officer, VÚB
Led by: VAZIL HUDÁK, Vice-Chairman, GLOBSEC

16:30 – 17:00     COFFEE BREAK

17:00 – 17:05     TATRA TALK BY A TATRA YOUNG LEADER

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

“EU Strategic Autonomy and Climate Transition”
GRÉGOIRE ROOS, Political Dialogue, Strategy & Insight Lead, BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt

17:05 – 18:15      PLENARY SESSION

#ENERGYCRISES #ENERGYSECURITY

Europe’s Grand Energy Pivot: Squaring the Circle?

 Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The REPowerEU introduced in March is a significant step towards Europe’s greater energy autonomy and independence. It seeks to diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation to reduce the demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year. But speedy transition after decades of energy dependence will be imperfect: it will be expensive, may also pose economic hardships for Europeans, may be hijacked by populist opposition politicians to advance their anti-democratic agendas, and may spur social unrest ultimately undermining European unity. What are the looming risks from this transition and how can policy underpin them in a 360-degree fashion to make sure the transition is a success, and is perceived as a necessary investment to Europe’s sustainable future?

KADRI SIMSON, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
THIERRY DÉAU, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Meridiam 
PAVEL CYRANI, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, ČEZ
Led by: STEVE CLEMONS, Founding Editor-at-Large, Semafor

18:15 – 19:00     COFFEE AND NETWORK BREAK

19:00 19:25 FIRESIDE CHAT

#GEOECONOMICS #VALUECHAINS #MULTILATERALISM

Solving the New Geoeconomics Puzzle

Venue: Lobby, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The rare confluence of geopolitical and economic forces that the war has intensified will permanently reshape the global geoeconomics terrain. The sudden realignment of global economies to geopolitical interests is challenging big companies that are currently struggling with the disruption of supplies and the redesigning of distribution chains. On the other hand, the war has accentuated the crisis of the democratic liberal order, supported by the rise of populist parties all over Europe. In this perspective, the energy crisis is forcing governments to take immediate actions and this will lead to an acceleration towards a more sustainable model to cope with the already visible effects of climate change. Against such backdrop, what are the new priorities of this geoeconomic puzzle and how can governments navigate it? How can multilateral institutions be overhauled to serve us better?

RASTISLAV KÁČER, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
KERSTI KALJULAID, Former President of the Republic of Estonia   

19:30 – 20:00 FIRESIDE CHAT

#LEADERSHIP #CRISISMANAGEMENT #RESILIENCE

Leadership in Times of Crisis

Venue: Lobby, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras       

Ultimately, leaders are judged not by how well they perform in good times but by how they handle crises. The current geopolitical scenario has placed extraordinary demands on political and business representatives. They have to firefight new and new fires while redesigning long term strategies. When the margin for error is extremely thin and the pressure is high, what people can handle it in the best way? How do you prepare for that? What skills and mindsets are required to handle crises?

SEBASTIAN KURZ, Former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria & Chief Executive Officer, SK Management
Led by: TOM NUTTALL, Senior Digital Editor, The Economist

20:30 22:30   GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT 2022 AWARD DINNER

Venue: Grand Restaurant, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras (upon separate invitation only)

20:30 22:20 GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT 2022 TRADITIONAL SLOVAK DINNER

Venue: Koliba Patria, Štrbské pleso (upon separate invitation only)

22:30 – 24:00   INFORMAL COCKTAIL

Venue: Lobby, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras


Day 2, 8th October

08:00 – 09:30  OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: LAKE WALK AND RUN AND QUALI-TEA SESSION

Join our networking session in the Lobby of Grand Hotel Kempinski where an assortment of teas will be served

08:15 – 9:30     BREAKOUT SESSION (Upon separate invitation only)

#CEEHER #BUSINESS #WOMENINNOVATORS

CEE Her Breakfast: Building an ecosystem for women in innovation and tech

Venue: Kriván, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

It is imperative for the CEE region to leap into a modern and innovative economy. The challenges associated with the Russian war in Ukraine, compounded by already stagnating economic model in the region can be turned into opportunities. An essential element would be the inclusion of women innovators and women-led businesses in the new modus operandi. What measures are necessary to create a working ecosystem for talented women in tech and innovation? While benefits of inclusion are clear, what are the next steps to be taken by policymakers, established businesses, financial institutions, supportive initiatives? This CEE Her breakfast discussion aims to put together women innovators, business representatives, policymakers and supportive organizations in establishing a working ecosystem to work towards an inclusion of women in a modern and innovative economy in the CEE region.

INGRID BROCKOVÁ, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
KERSTI KALJULAID, Former President of the Republic of Estonia   
GERD-UWE WELLER, Head of Bratislava Office, European Investment Bank 
LUCIA CERCHLAN, Co-Founder, Lumus Investment Collective  
JENNA BEN-YEHUDA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Truman Center for National Policy
ANDREW LEE, Vice President of Government Affairs, ESET
Led by: JOHN BARTER, Senior Vice President, GLOBSEC           
                                                                

09:30 – 09:35 Tatra Talk by a Tatra Young Leader

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

“Unlocking Synergy Between Private and Public Sectors to Recover Economy and Deal With Crisis Response”
Nina Levchuk, Start-ups & VC Lead, Google

09:35 – 10:30  PLENARY SESSION

#INTERNATIONALSUPPLY #VALUECHAINS

The Post-Invasion Global Supply: From ‘Just-in-Time’ to ‘Just-In-Case’

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled disruptions in international supply of large proportions, especially when it comes to some specific sectors. The war in Ukraine brought the global supply chain calamity to a new level, igniting a severe energy crisis in Europe, and producing new bottlenecks in food commodities, agricultural fertilizers, and raw materials. Moreover, the supply chains are expected to linger on and will not resolve with time, appealing to business leaders and policymakers to rethink their priorities away from ‘just-in-time’ efficiency and towards ‘just-in-case’ resilience. What steps are businesses and political leaders taking to weather the supply chain disruptions, volatile resources, shipping prices, and swings in consumer behaviour? How can they collaborate for the best outcomes?

RICCARDO PULITI, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank
BEATA JAVORCIK, Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
PETR PUDIL Co-founder, BPD partners & Member of the Board of Directors, GLOBSEC
ANDREA GONTKOVIČOVÁ, Managing Director for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, Philip Morris International
Led by: GORDON BAJNAI, Partner and Chairman of the Global Advisory Board, Campbell Lutyens & Member of the Board of Directors, GLOBSEC

10:15 – 11:15     BREAKOUT SESSION (Upon separate invitation only)

#EU #OPPORTUNITIES #ECONOMICCRISIS

Best Policies in Times of Crisis: Employers Speak Out

Venue: Kriván, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Coronavirus pandemic, disruptions of supply chains, the war in Ukraine, security and energy crisis, all these factors have drastically increased costs, risk of insolvency and bankruptcy for many European businesses. As a result, entire sectors are struggling to survive contributing to a difficult economic reality worsened by the increase of poverty and unemployment rates. This unprecedent series of crises lead the EU and its member states to respond to these challenges through both short-term emergency measures and long-term strategic initiatives like the EU Strategic autonomy, European Chip Act, Recovery and Resilience Plan, acceleration of digital and green transformation, Fit for 55, or most recently the Single market emergency instrument. What is the best mix of policy measures for businesses and employers to support both their short-term survival as well as their long-term competitiveness? Which measures, goals, instruments and policies (especially in a Green Deal as translated into Fit for 55 package) should be either adjusted or completely repealed?

VLADIMÍR DLOUHÝ, President, Czech Chamber of Commerce
MIROSLAV KIRAĽVARGA President, National Union of Employers
MACIEJ WITUCKIi, President, Polish Confederation Lewiatan   
Led by: JÁN ORAVEC, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic

10:30 – 11:00      COFFEE AND NETWORK BREAK

11:30 – 12:30      BREAKOUT SESSIONS

#CEE #INNOVATION #REGIONALCOOPERATION

Harnessing turmoil to fast-track innovation in cee: advancing the tech valley

Venue: Kriván, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The aftermath of the Russian invasion triggered a massive brain drain and capital outflows from countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, to safety, and away from the region. But Western leaders have vowed permanent support and solidarity to Ukraine – a new international Marshall Plan – to restore the war-torn economy in the aftermath of Vladimir Putin’s brutal war. How can the West most effectively support Ukraine, with the broader region also becoming the beneficiary of renewed international capital inflows? How can the CEE region best absorb and best retain talent from Ukraine and Russia? If Europe adopts a prudent policy course, it can promote employment, enhance productivity, improve the quality of life, and transform the continent into a centre of talent and innovation. The Russian aggression, underpinned by the COVID19 pandemic and related responses presents a historical opportunity for the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region to deeply transform its growth paradigm for greater prosperity, sustainability, productivity, and morphing the region into a home of talent and innovation?

IVAN BARTOŠ, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digitalization and Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic  
JÁN ORAVEC, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic
MICHAELA KRŠKOVÁ, Chief Innovation Officer, Government Office of the Slovak Republic
SEBASTIAN KURZ, Former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria & Chief Executive Officer, SK Management                
JANA BRODANI, Executive Director, Czech Capital Markets Association  
GEORG KOPETZ, Chief Executive Officer, TTTech Auto
MARIAN GAZDIK, Founding Partner, G-Force
Led by: VAZIL HUDÁK, Vice-Chairman, GLOBSEC      


#UKRAINE #REBUILDING #RECOVERYBUILDING

Rebuilding Ukraine Towards Innovative and Prosperous State: Challenges and Opportunities

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

While Ukrainians’ dedicated resistance to the Russian aggression is still underway, the West tries to find the best solution to help Ukraine restore and build innovative and the prosperous state. Though Ukraine and partners have declared unprecedented commitments to rebuild war-ravaged Ukraine, a cocktail of risks is still ahead. Will political uncertainty, impendent energy crisis, inflation jeopardise the EU’s capacity to handle a harsh challenge – to contribute to the EU candidate state’s success? Will Ukraine and the West grapple with the risks and facilitate talented Ukrainian workforce, innovative potential and private capital contribute to leap the country ahead? How to ensure effective balance between foreign aid and domestic reforms in Ukraine? How could these joint efforts leapfrog towards modern and innovative Ukrainian economy and EU Eastern neighbourhood?

MATHIAS CORMANN, Secretary General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
MARTIN KOCHER Federal Minister of Labour and Economy of the Republic of Austria
INGRID BROCKOVÁ, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
KATARÍNA MATHERNOVÁ, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, European Commission
WILHELM MOLTERER, Chairman of the Board of Directors, GLOBSEC
Led by: MARTIN POLIAČIK, Chief Executive Officer, Academy of Critical Thinking

12:30 – 13:30     BUFFET LUNCH

13:30 – 13:35     TATRA TALK BY A TATRA YOUNG LEADER

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Digital Currencies, Weaponisation of Finance and the Risk of Global Fragmentation”
NICOLA BILOTTA, Senior Fellow, Istituto Affari Internazionali

13:35 – 14:15      PLENARY SESSION

#INNOVATION #DIGITALTRANSITION #BUSINESSOPPORTUNITIES

New Perspectives for a Digital Transition in CEE

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

The crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic once opened the debate on whether the EU fiscal framework is fit-for-purpose or a reform of the existing set of fiscal ceilings as a part of the EU Stability and Growth Pact should be undertaken. These war repercussions are rippling through the EU economy, while public finances are stretched thin and debt burdens are elevated post-pandemic, with many countries’ public finances in a worse shape today than ten years ago. Should EU fiscal rules as embedded in the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) fit-for-purpose? If not, what should they look like and is it politically feasible to pass such reform? Is now a good time to overhaul the framework? How the governments balance and prioritise amid the large number of competing public priorities?

VERONIKA REMIŠOVÁ, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
IVAN BARTOŠ, Deputy Prime Minister for Digitisation and Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic 
MARTA POSLAD, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe, Google 
Led by: ELINE CHIVOT, Senior Adviser on Digital Policy, European People’s Party

14:15 – 14:20     CASUAL GOODBYE/FINAL REMARKS

Venue: Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

VAZIL HUDÁK, Vice-Chairman, GLOBSEC

14:30                 BUS LEAVES FOR POPRAD AIRPORT

15:30                 INFORMAL PROGRAMME (Popradské Pleso)