2024 Three Seas Hub at Davos

The thirteen nations of the Three Seas Initiative, spanning the region between the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Seas, constitute an increasingly important driver of European economic growth. These EU nations feature some $2.2T dollars in cumulative GDP, a population of 111 million or 25% of the EU, and some of Europe’s highest rates of return on foreign direct investment. What are the characteristics and dynamics driving the economies of this region? What are their prospects for the future? What are the investment opportunities defining the Three Seas region?

Opening remarks: Mr. Paweł Nierada, First Vice President of the Management Board, Polish Development Bank BGK

Speakers:

Mr. Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

H.E. Mariya Gabriel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

Mr. Frederick Kempe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Council

Mrs. Beata Daszyńska-Muzyczka, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Poland for the Three Seas Initiative

Moderator: Mr. Ian Brzezinski, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

How should policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic approach balancing the need for both robust regulation and smart innovation, particularly as digital technologies such as AI rapidly advance? As a region boasting significant innovation, ample growth potential, and remarkable adaptability, the Three Seas Initiative is well-positioned to find opportunities for economic prosperity in the digital sector. This panel discussion will address the innovation potential in Central and Eastern Europe and the role of the Three Seas Initiative in Europe’s bid for greater economic competitiveness, especially in the digital sector.

Speakers:

Ms. Rita Balogh, Europe Lead, International Government Affairs, Google

Mr. Martin Wezowski, Chief Futurist, SAP

Mr. Wiktor Schmidt, Executive Chairman, Netguru

Moderator: Mark Boris Andrijanič, Former Minister for Digital Transformation of the Republic of Slovenia; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council

With Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine raging on, no region has been more resolute in its support of Ukraine than that between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas. As the Three Seas steadfastly advances itself as a driver for European growth and prosperity, what can and should the Initiative and its member states do to establish the economic and infrastructural foundation for Ukraine’s accelerated integration into an undivided Europe?

Opening remarks:

Mr. Frederick Kempe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Council

H.E. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine

Speakers:

Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Capital

Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine; Trade Representative of Ukraine

President Kersti Kaljulaid, Former President of the Republic of Estonia

Dr. Marek Tomczuk, Member of the Management Board, Polish Development Bank BGK

Moderator: Amb. John Herbst, Senior Director Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council; Former US Ambassador to Ukraine

How can international know-how and foreign investments support the acceleration of energy source diversification in the region? How can Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) support green energy growth in the CEE region compliant with European requirements? How to build technological advantage in the region to be more competitive in attracting knowledge-based technological and digital investments? How can we maintain a leading position as a region in the war for talent?

Opening remarks: H.E. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland

Speakers:

Jayee Koffey, Global Head of Enterprise Execution & Chief Corp Affairs Officer, BNY Mellon

Jarosław Kroc, Senior Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe, Accenture

Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board, Roche

Mr. Tony Housh, Chair, AmCham Poland

Mr. Kevin Turpin, Regional Director of Capital Markets, Colliers

Mr. Pawel Nierada, First Vice President of the Management Board, Polish Development Bank BGK

Moderator: Mr. Henry Foy, Brussels Bureau Chief, Financial Times

The Three Seas Initiative has driven forward the development of cross border energy, digital and transport infrastructure. But space technology and satellite operations are an increasingly significant dimension of cross-border connectivity, and the Three Seas region features a vibrant and growing space industry.  What are the opportunities the Three Seas region present for space related investment and technology development? How will they reshape the economy of the Three Seas region and wider Europe?

Opening remarks:  Dr. Slawosz Uznanski, Astronaut, European Space Agency

Speakers:

Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director-General, ESA

Mr. Daniel Tenney, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin

Mr. Grzegorz Zwoliński, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, SatRev; Member of the Program Committee, Polish Space Agency

Mr. Adam Niewiński, Co-founder and Managing Partner, OTB Ventures

Mr. Rafal Modrzewski, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, ICEYE

Moderator: Mr. Henry Foy, Brussels Bureau Chief, Financial Times

The world is gradually recovering from the multiple shocks of the global pandemic, high inflation, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The world’s economy has proven to be more resilient than expected, but not without large costs. In the next few years, global GDP is projected to grow at the slowest pace in decades. Downside risks—increasing geopolitical tensions, “higher-for-longer” interest rates, economic slowdown in China, and worsening impacts of climate change—may slow growth even further. The pace of income convergence between poor and rich countries is also projected to decline.

What policy changes are needed to accelerate global growth? What is the right fiscal, monetary and structural policy agenda for the US, China, Europe, and the rest of the world? How to make economic growth more green, resilient, and inclusive at the same time?

Speakers:

Dr. Keyu Jin, Associate Professor of Economics, London School of Economics

Dr. Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics and Maurits C. Boas Chair of International Economics, Harvard University

Dr. Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Dr. Boris Vujčić, Governor, Croatian National Bank

Moderator: Prof. Marcin Piątkowski, Professor of Economics at Kozminski University and Lead Economist at the World Bank

As the Three Seas enters its ninth year, it has established itself as a forum of consultation, coordination and economic action among thirteen EU member states between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic – including the recent accession of Greece.  A principal emphasis of the initiative has been to foster cross-border infrastructural connectivity. How can the Three Seas Initiative contribute to the transatlantic community’s response to the challenges posed by Russia’s violent aggression, increasing Chinese assertiveness, and a widening range of hybrid threats?

Introductory Remarks: Mr. Frederick Kempe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Council

Speakers:

H.E. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland

H.E. Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania

H.E. Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of the Republic of Latvia

H.E. Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia

Presentation on the Three Seas Summit: Mr. Vaidas Augustinavičius, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania

As technology continues to revolutionize the financial industry, the importance of collaboration and finding common ground between banking, fintech and regulators is crucial for driving innovation and delivering enhanced services to customers. During the debate we will discuss how to exploit upcoming opportunities and master challenges which financial leaders are facing in today’s fast-paced business landscape.

Speakers:

Jacek Jastrzębski, Chair of the Board, Polish Financial Supervision Authority

Dr. Thomas Moser, Alternate Member of the Governing Board, Swiss National Bank

Inga Mullins, Chief Executive Officer, Fluency

Prof. Marcin Piatkowski, Professor of Economics at Kozminski University and Lead Economist at the World Bank

Moderator: Vera Futorjanski, Chief Executive Officer, Veritas Ventures

Digital technology has yielded enormous opportunities to spread and deepen democracy. It has enabled more citizens to have a voice in their governance, provided increased accountability from government officials, and expanded access to information. But digital technology has proven to be double edged sword, particularly in an age increased global tension and volatility. It has been used to propagate disinformation, extend surveillance, catalyze political polarization, and enable authoritarianism.  The advent of artificial intelligence portends to sharpen both sides of this sword as Europe and its partners around the globe grapple with the geopolitical dimensions of the digital era. The Three Seas region constitutes Europe’s front line against Russian aggression, including its digital dimension. What must be done to ensure the digital era strengthens versus rolls back democracy?

Featuring: H.E. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, European Commission

Moderator: Steve Clemons, Founding Editor at Large, Semafor

As Russia continues to weaponize energy exports to Europe, the green energy transition has become even more critical to European security and resilience. What have been the green energy success stories in the Three Seas region?  What are the areas of greatest potential growth in the region’s green energy domain?  How can the Three Seas highlight itself as a leader in Europe’s energy transition?

Speakers:

Minister Ana Birchall, Special Envoy for Strategic and International Affairs, Nuclearelectrica; Former Deputy Prime Minister of Romania

Ms. Karen Karniol-Tambour, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Bridgewater Associates

Mr. Maxim Timchenko, Chief Executive Officer, DTEK

Ms. Reta Jo Lewis, Chair, Export-Import Bank of the United States

Moderator: Dr. Valbona Zeneli, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council

The global sustainability agenda is facing challenges, being undermined by geopolitical tensions, globalization backlash and conflicting national interests. Regional deployment of sustainable solutions may reduce these uncertainties and advance the low-carbon economy. The panel will explore how digital and advanced manufacturing technologies can contribute to the Net Zero ambitions of manufacturing firms, and from a practical perspective, approaches and tools available to help organizations make the transition. This will include transformation to more circular supply chain ecosystems.

Speakers:

Mrs. Beata Daszyńska-Muzyczka, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Poland for the Three Seas Initiative

Dr. Soichi Noguchi, Executive Chief Fellow, Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies

Dr. Jagjit Singh Srai, Director of Research and Head, Centre for International Manufacturing, University of Cambridge

Moderator: Mr. Maciej Bukowski, Senior International Analysis Expert, 3W Department, Polish Development Bank BGK

As NATO approaches its 75th anniversary in 2024, it defends the transatlantic community amidst Russia’s ongoing and brutal invasion of Ukraine, violence in the Middle East, and tensions and instability in the Indo-Pacific and other regions of the world. Our discussion will address the evolving threats before the Alliance and the requirements they generate for effective deterrence and defense, including those pertaining to NATO’s force posture and the defense industry necessary to generate and sustain that posture. It will explore the actions the Three Seas States of NATO should be taking to reinforce the Alliance and what they should be expecting of their Allies to ensure that NATO is as successful in the coming years as it has been in the past 75.

Opening remarks: H.E. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland

Speakers:

H.E. Juri Luik, Permanent Representative of Estonia to NATO

H.E. Peter Bator, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to NATO

H.E. Tomasz Szatkowski, Permanent Representative of Poland to NATO

Moderator: Mr. Ian Brzezinski, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council