An annual high-level discussions on a whole, free, and secure Europe. It offers a platform to explore the Polish and Central Eastern European perspective on key European issues. The Forum invites the participation of policymakers, directors of public policies, and other influential stakeholders.
Organisers’ overarching goal is to foster a comprehensive dialogue about the future of European democratic and economic security, also under the aspect of its enlargement in the years to come. This forward-looking discussion addresses the changes and challenges that come with such growth, striving to clarify and align perspectives.
Moreover, the Forum seeks to enhance the coordination of European policies, fostering collaboration and alignment across sectors and borders. The key feature of the event is the inclusion of business representatives, emphasising the importance of their role in shaping Europe’s future.
By bridging diverse perspectives, the conference contributes to a shared vision for a more united Europe.
Key facts about the Forum:
Welcome Reception
Fireside Chat: Geoeconomics and Democracy Today
Keynote by Henryka MOŚCICKA-DENDYS, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Constanze STELZENMÜLLER, Director of the Centre on the US and Europe and Fritz Stern Chair, The Brookings Institution
Moderator: Wojciech PRZYBYLSKI, President, Res Publica Foundation
Breakfast: Economic Security for Peace in Europe
Keynote by Ignacy NIEMCZYCKI, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Economic Convergence Scoreboard for the Western Balkans 2025: Report Launch
Co-organised with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
With opening remarks from
Marzena KISIELEWSKA, Head of Division South East Europe Directorate for Global Relations and Co-operation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Agnieszka KOWALSKA, Director, European Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Wojciech PRZYBYLSKI, President, Res Publica Foundation
European Leaders’ Dinner
This event is supported by MHP
Welcome coffee
Opening
Magda JAKUBOWSKA, Vice President, Res Publica Foundation
Linda KAPUSTOVÁ HELBICHOVÁ, Executive Director, International Visegrad Fund
Welcome address
Wojciech PRZYBYLSKI, President, Res Publica Foundation
The Future of Europe Power: Defence, Economy and Values
Keynote by Michał Szczerba, Member, European Parliament
Inspirational talk: The End of Globalism and the Future of EU Economic Security
Paweł ŚWIEBODA, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Brussels Economic Security Forum, European Policy Centre
Coffee break
Debate: Funding European Security. New Paradigm of Growth
Marta POSTUŁA, First Vice President, BGK Polish Development Bank
Andreas TREICHL, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, ERSTE Foundation
Aida WELKER, Member of the Management Board, KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
Moderator: Georgina WRIGHT, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States
Trade Fit for Security. Central and Eastern European Perspectives
Mykhailo BNO-AIRIIAN, Special Trade Representative at Federation of Employers of Ukraine, Global Director for Government Relations at MHP
Aleksander SIEMASZKO, Director of the Department for International Cooperation and Trade, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland
Jarno SYRJÄLÄ, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Moderator: Edit INOTAI, Senior Fellow, Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy
Lunch
Who Defines Europe’s Economic Security?
Noah BARKIN, Senior Advisor, Rhodium Group
Jurand DROP, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Finance of Poland
Daniel ENKE, Director for Public Affairs & Social Impact, Zalando
Peter JAPELJ, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Economic, Cultural and Science Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia
Moderator: Nora KÜRZDÖRFER, Senior Researcher, Munich Security Conference
DIY Europe: Tech Sovereignty
Raluca CSERNATONI, Research Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Piotr MATCZUK, President and CEO, Polish Development Fund
Radu-Dinel MIRUȚĂ, Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania
Witold WITKOWICZ, CEO, ICEYE Poland
Moderator: Tomasz KASPROWICZ, Editor-in-Chief, Res Publica Nowa
Coffee break
Energy – Tech – Geopolitics Nexus
Adomas AUDICKAS, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Bioenergy, MHP
Frank ARNAUTS, Ambassador and Head of the Belgian EU Strategic Policy Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
Andrej NOSKO, Researcher and Visiting Lecturer, Matej Bel University
Maciej ZANIEWICZ, Senior Analyst at the European Programme, Forum Energii
Moderator: Martin EHL, Chief Analyst, Hospodářské Noviny
Closing remarks
Foresight session
Next MFF Fit for Enlargement?
Piotr KOBZA, Deputy Director of the EU External Relations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Foresight session
The Next MFF: Funding Priorities Beyond 2027
Małgorzata KAŁUŻYŃSKA, Director of the Economic Department of the European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Foresight session
How Can the EU Shape Energy Policies to Counter External Dependencies and Provide Solid Foundations for Growth?
Paweł ŚWIEBODA, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Brussels Economic Security Forum, European Policy Centre
Foresight session
Guns and Butter. Arming the EU and Winning Elections. Economic Security Narratives
Goran BULDIOSKI, Senior Fellow, Hertie School
Maia MAZURKIEWICZ, CEO, PZU Foundation
Wojciech PRZYBYLSKI, President, Res Publica Foundation
Foresight session
Capital Strategies for Deep Tech Growth. Insights from Poland
Mikołaj RACZYŃSKI, Vice President, Polish Development Fund
Foresight session
Indopacific: Is the EU Ready for Another Global Trade Disruption?
Joanna DOPIERAŁA-KONKOŁOWICZ, Director of the Eastern Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
Foresight session
Cybersecurity and Technological Sovereignty as a Driver of Europe’s Digital Economy
Dariusz STANDERSKI, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digital Affairs
Foresight session
MAGA, MEGA and the Future of Europe as a Power. How to turn global disorder into opportunities
Monika SUS, Polish Academy of Sciences & European University Institute, Team Europe Direct Poland
Foresight session
Development Banks: Financing Europe’s Defence and Growth
Paweł CHORĄŻY, Managing Director of the European Funds Division, BGK Polish Development Bank
Foresight session
European Democracy Shield: Funding Democracy as a Defence Posture
Marzenna GUZ-VETTER, Senior Fellow, Visegrad Insight
Foresight session
Rebuilding Ukraine – CEE’s Economic and Logistic Contributions to the EU Security
Aleksander SIEMASZKO, Director of the Department for International Cooperation and Trade, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland
Welcome coffee
Introduction: The Urgency of Ensuring Economic Security in the EU
Thomas ANKELE, Director for Infrastructure Financing, KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
Bogdan ZAWADEWICZ, Head of Geopolitical Risk Analysis, BGK Polish Development Bank
Moderator: Anna KALCZYŃSKA, Anchor, TVP WORLD
Policy Hackathon: Economic Security – Outlook for 2026
Leading European think tanks and research consortia, together with Polish politicians and policymakers, will tackle the challenges of economic security based on the insights from three upcoming policy reports.
Workshops related to joint policy research efforts will develop practical recommendations for EU economic security policy and democratic resilience.
Working lunch and networking
Departures
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The Res Publica Foundation is an impartial think tank with over three decades of experience in forward-looking research, publishing, and project management relevant to Polish and European policies, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Established in 1987, its founding aim was to bolster cultural, research, and educational capacities, focusing on European themes and subjects.
Res Publica’s mission is to fortify democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and to establish mechanisms to prevent democratic backsliding. It enriches public discourse through Res Publica Nowa, its flagship Polish publication, and Visegrad Insight, an English-language European think tank and platform for analysis, research and debate.
Visegrad Insight is the main Central European analysis and media platform. It generates future policy directions for Europe and transatlantic partners.
Over the past years, our strategic foresight programme has gained recognition for its approach and impact on European policy and public debate.
Annually, through Visegrad Insight and Res Publica Nowa, the foundation publishes approximately 300 analytical papers, articles, and reports, collaborating with over 200 authors and experts. Its publications are either republished or produced with leading national media outlets.
