The forum was opened with a welcome address from the Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation - Bulgaria, Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes. The Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, and the Head of the ‘Western Balkans and Southeast Europe’ Department of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Alexander Beribes, gave introductory speeches.
Speakers included former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, German Ambassador Irene Maria Planck, Romanian Ambassador Brandusa Ioana Predescu, the polish Ambassador Maciej Szymański, Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, Deputy Minister of tourism Pavlin Petrov, representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The academia world was represented by researchers from INSAIT, Sofia University, Naval Academy Varna, ETH Zürich, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Kadir Has University. Numerous managers and analysts from the energy and transport sectors also participated.
The forum was devoted to multi-layered connectivity: from energy and transport connectivity in Southeast Europe to digital transformation and the role of artificial intelligence, maritime and air logistics, investments in economic corridors and risks and opportunities in the water sector. The main focus was on the Black Sea region. The general assessment was that improving connectivity is a key factor for growth, employment and prosperity and will therefore bring significant benefits to economies and citizens.
Without exception, the lectures, papers and presentations were of a high professional standard. Intensive expert discussions completed the event. During the forum, old contacts were maintained and new ties were established between participants.
The third edition of the Burgas Connectivity Forum once again proved that this format is a successful platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas on connectivity. It has cemented its role as an actor between government, Academia and business circles.
