EfVET, had the privilege of attending the 25th edition of the Brussels Economic Forum “Navigating a Turbulent World” organised by the European Commission. The focus was on how economic policy connects to everyday life, long-term sustainability and AI and labour market reforms have all been on the table as possible ways to go for the future.
For 25 years, the Forum has brought together high-level European and international policymakers, academic and business leaders to tackle key challenges and discuss policy priorities for the European development and economy.
Commissioner Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis has opened the forum by describing the turbulent international economic scene. “It has never been more important to use every opportunity to engage meaningfully with new and existing partners across the world to build and renew win-win partnerships
MEP Lídia Pereira rightly said, the Green Deal is not just a climate agenda—it’s a strategic transformation. We need to accelerate innovation, invest in strategic industrial capabilities, reduce fragmentation and to scale up the domestic green industry. We need economic growth in order to deliver to all the other policy dimensions.”
Tomothee Parrique, researcher at University of Lausanne, warned that the term ecological crisis is shaping our present and will shape our future. The ecological transition is not only a matter of efficiency , it’s also a matter of sufficiency. Today activists and academics propose to go from a growth based economy to a well-being economy. And is the main challenge for the secure ecological intelligence.
The Belgian Minister for the Middle Class, Self-Employed and SMEs vowed to make Belgium more competitive. Eleonore Simonet said Belgium should catch up with the EU on labour market reforms and upskilling. She also highlighted the investment gap in EU clean tech and R&D, the need to cut red tape, and the potential of PPPs to attract investment. Her call for better EU regulation was loud and clear.
“There is no competition on a dead planet”, argued Anna C. Holtkamp from the European Youth Forum. She also argued that young people should be more involved in discussions about artificial intelligence.
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen would close the innovation gap between Europe and global peers. She said that Europe had its own strength: very clear regulatory framework, world class research centres and universities, vibrant start-up ecosystems amongst others.
To build a resilient and competitive Europe, we need public investment, regulations, a new strategy, and sustainability for the future of Europe.
As it has been for the past 25 years, the Brussels Economic Forum remains at the forefront of the debate and exchange of ideas on the economic policies and strategy needed to kick-start the European recovery.
Here you will find recording video of Brussels Economic Forum