The 13th edition of GLOBSEC’s Tatra Summit returns to the High Tatras, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and EU decision-makers to address Europe’s pressing economic challenges. This year’s theme, “Climbing Higher: Europe’s New Strategy for Competitiveness and Growth,” focuses on the need for action, innovation, and collaboration to maintain Europe’s global standing.

The summit kicks off amid challenging economic conditions across Europe, driven by inflation, rising public debt, demographic pressures, and increased defence spending. While macroeconomic data shows signs of stabilization, many households in Central Europe still face financial strain, underscoring the need for coordinated fiscal policies and international cooperation to prevent stagnation. 

Taking into consideration the current European economic standing, competitiveness is a key focus area for policy makers and businesses alike, as innovation and digital transformation, particularly in areas like AI, are reshaping industries. With intensifying competition from the U.S. and China, Europe must make bold investments in emerging technologies, innovations, energy transition, and digital infrastructure. These are all the topics we will debate during the upcoming weekend in Tatras,” commented Róbert Vass, President of GLOBSEC.

Among the most interesting guests at this year’s Tatra Summit are Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age & Commissioner for Competition, European Commission; Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Kyriacos Kakouris, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank; Jakub Jaworowski, Minister of State Assets of the Republic of Poland; Siniša Mali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia; and Alexander Kava, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine. The Slovak Government will be represented at the Summit by Tomáš Taraba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment of the Slovak Republic; Tomáš Drucker, Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic; Vladimír Šimoňák, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic; Kamil Šaško, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic; Michal Štofko, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic; and Ivan Ivančin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic. Traditionally, the business sector will also be strongly represented. Among the many attending the Tatra Summit this weekend are Zoltán Varga, CEO and Chairman of Central Media Group; Thierry Déau, Chairman and CEO of Meridiam; Mark Hicken, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Mid-Sized Markets, Johnson & Johnson, and Pavel Cyrani, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, ČEZ Group. 

Since its launch in 2011, the Tatra Summit has become a vital forum for high-level dialogue, bringing together prominent figures from across Europe and beyond to shape the continent’s strategic direction. Previous notable attendees include Kristalina Georgieva, Olaf Scholz, and Donald Tusk, among others.