World Economic Forum in Davos 2025

This year, the meeting of political and business leaders took place under the theme "Cooperation in the Age of Intelligence."

Discussions in the Swiss city focused on the key challenges of the modern world:

• Sustainable development and energy transition
• Future technologies and digitalization
• Energy security in the context of global tensions
• Solidarity and international cooperation for peace and prosperity

There were also discussions concerning Donald Trump's presidency and artificial intelligence.

One of the speakers at this year's Forum was dr Marcin Kraśniewski, LL.M., an expert in energy security from the University of Economics in Katowice. Dr. Kraśniewski spoke during the panel discussion "Energy Security as an Enabler of Growth," which took place on January 22, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Other panel participants included:

• Witold Literacki – Vice President of the Management Board for Corporate Affairs, First Deputy CEO, ORLEN S.A.
• Michael Hayes – Partner, Global Head of Renewable Energy, KPMG
• Adam Sikorski – CEO, UNIMOT
• Raphaël Schoentgen – CEO, Hydrogen Advisors, Former CTO at ENGIE
• Moderated by Rafał Libera, Director at Acteon Group

His speech focused on the role of energy security in shaping stable and sustainable economic growth in the era of climate and technological transformation.

"The social aspect of the energy transition in Poland is crucial. I am a researcher at the University of Economics in Katowice, which allows me to observe the situation in Silesia – the largest and most industrialized region, which is in particular need of change. It is essential that the transition is fair. That is why the Polish government, in cooperation with the European Commission, is implementing a social agreement with miners, gradually closing mines and avoiding mass layoffs.

One of the steps supporting this process was the establishment of the Ministry of Industry in Katowice – the first ministry outside Warsaw. This symbolizes the government's commitment to the transition, especially in Silesia. It is headed by Prof. Marzena Czarnecka, a distinguished expert with experience in the energy sector.

One of the greatest challenges is infrastructure. Poland's energy system was designed to transmit power from the south (where coal-fired power plants and heavy industry are concentrated) to the north. Today, this is changing – new energy sources, such as offshore wind farms and nuclear power plants, are being developed in the north and on the Baltic coast. New transmission infrastructure is needed to efficiently deliver energy to the rest of the country.

This transformation is costly and complex – it requires cooperation between the government, system operators, and industry. Without appropriate investments and planning, the transition may pose a risk to Poland’s energy security." – said dr Marcin Kraśniewski, LL.M., from the Department of Energy Transition, during his speech in Davos.

The World Economic Forum is a unique platform for building global relations and exchanging ideas that shape policy, business, and societies around the world.

We are pleased that the University of Economics in Katowice had the opportunity to actively participate in the global debate on energy security.