\u0141UKASIEWICZ - ITECH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026: Security for Prosperity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWarsaw, 14 October 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itech.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/38\/2026\/10\/IAC-2026-1.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itech.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/38\/2026\/10\/ITECH-ANNUAL-CONFERENCE-PATRONS-1-1024x683.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNational security, technological sovereignty and economic stability constitute the pillars of the long-term strategy of Poland and the European Union.<\/span><\/p>We have the honour of inviting you to attend the \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH Annual Conference 2026: Security for Prosperity, which will take place on 14 October 2026 in Warsaw.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>The debate will focus on European Union mechanisms for technological sovereignty, the translation of increased defence expenditure into economic growth, and strategic lessons drawn from Asian markets. The programme comprises four main panels and a series of expert discussions. <\/span><\/p>Due to the exclusive format of the event, places are limited. Proceedings will be conducted in English (interpretation will be provided). Applications for attendance can be submitted via the form below. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tConference Programme<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVenue: National Library, Warsaw, 213 Niepodleg\u0142o\u015bci Avenue <\/strong><\/p>08:00<\/b> | Registration of participants<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>09:00 \u2013 9:20<\/b> | Welcoming <\/span><\/p>Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education
Katarzyna Smyk, Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland
Hubert Cichocki, President, \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network
Micha\u0142 Matlak, Director, \u0141ukasiewicz-ITECH<\/p>
- 9:20<\/b><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 9:40 <\/b>| Keynote speech <\/span> <\/li><\/ul>
H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia)<\/span><\/p>- 9:40 \u2013 10:00<\/b> Opening Speech<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
Prof. Marcin Pi\u0105tkowski, Professor of Economics at Kozminski University and a former World Bank\u2019s Lead Economist for India and China <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- 10:00 \u2013 11:30 | Panel I: Technological sovereignty and defence<\/b><\/li><\/ul>
- How can we tackle the critical technological dependencies (including in components) \u2013 and do we need to?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can we increase innovation in the European defence sector?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- With all the increased defence spending \u2013 are European states going to compete or cooperate?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How did the war in Ukraine force Poland to rethink adoption of defence innovation?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can we use military spending as a \u201cmultiplier\u201d to help strengthen Europe\u2019s broader tech ecosystem?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Katja Bego, Senior Research Fellow, Europe Programme, Chatham House<\/span><\/li>
- Adam Mazgal, Department of Industrial Policy and Defence Industry, Ministry of Economic Development and Technolog<\/span><\/li>
- Gen. Wojciech Ozga, former Head of the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre NATO-JATEC <\/span><\/li>
- Wojciech Przybylski, editor-in-chief of Visegrad Insight, President of Res Publica Foundation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Piotr Wojciechowski, Piotr Wojciechowski, Prezes Zarz\u0105du WB Electronics S.A. President of the Management Board, WB Electronics S.A. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Col. Micha\u0142 \u017bo\u0142nierowicz, Deputy Director of the Innovation Department, Ministry of National Defence <\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Melania Parzonka, Chief Analyst on European Security, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH <\/span><\/p>11:30 \u2013 12:00 | One-on-One Fireside Chat: H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia) in
conversation with Raphael Minder, the Financial Times\u2019 Central Europe Correspondent<\/span><\/p><\/li>- 12:00 \u2013 12:30<\/b> | Coffee break<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- 12:30 – 14:00 Defence Spending & Economic Growth<\/b><\/li><\/ul>
- What conditions must be met for higher defence spending to translate into durable economic growth?<\/span><\/li>
- How can we mitigate the macroeconomic effects of large-scale purchases of off-the-shelf equipment from foreign partners, in favour of building high-margin links in the domestic value chain? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- To what extent have programmes such as PESCO and SAFE consolidated the European defence industry and technological unification? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- What are the key dependencies in the European defence industry, and how can we counter them?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How effective are EU and NATO programmes in stimulating defence innovation in Europe?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can public support for high defence spending be sustained amid a growing budget deficit and pressure on public expenditure?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Johannes Binder, Research Economist & Advisor to the President, Kiel Institute for the World Economy <\/span><\/li>
- Janusz Jab\u0142onowski, Chief Economist, \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Magda Malec, Economic Consultant, World Bank <\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Konrad Szyma\u0144ski, former EU Affairs Minister of Poland <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Mateusz Walewski, Director of the Research and Analysis Department, Chief Economist, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Pawe\u0142 Marczewski, Head of the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/p>14:00 \u2013 15:00<\/b> | Lunch<\/span><\/p><\/li>- 15:00 \u2013 15:30<\/b> | <\/span>High Level Conversation<\/strong>
- Micha\u0142 Baranowski, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Poland<\/span><\/li>
- Sabine Weyand, Florence School of Transnational Governance, EUI<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Jan K\u0142apa, the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>15:30 \u2013 17:00 | Panel III: Redrawing the Board: Where Are We in the New Geoeconomic Order?<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/li>- How can Europe reposition itself at a moment when the rules of the global economy are being rewritten?<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/li>
- What is Europe’s real room for manoeuvre between the United States and China?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How are trade, technology and supply chains becoming instruments of strategic competition?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- What would genuine strategic autonomy require of European industry and policy?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Hanna Cichy, Polityka Insight<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Bartek Czyczerski, CEO, Business & Science Poland<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President, Cyprus Forum <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- Dalibor Roh\u00e1\u010d, Director of Research, GLOBSEC <\/span><\/li>
- Pawe\u0142 \u015aliwowski, Deputy Director, Polish Economic Institute<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Sabine Weyand, Florence School of Transnational Governance, EUI<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Piotr Buras, Head of Warsaw Office, ECFR<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>- 17:00 \u2013 18:30 | Panel IV: From Imitation to Specialisation: Innovation, Security and Asian Lessons for Poland\u2019s Development Model<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- How can innovation be linked with security so that military R&D seeds high-margin links in the domestic value chain?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
Warsaw, 14 October 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNational security, technological sovereignty and economic stability constitute the pillars of the long-term strategy of Poland and the European Union.<\/span><\/p>We have the honour of inviting you to attend the \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH Annual Conference 2026: Security for Prosperity, which will take place on 14 October 2026 in Warsaw.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>The debate will focus on European Union mechanisms for technological sovereignty, the translation of increased defence expenditure into economic growth, and strategic lessons drawn from Asian markets. The programme comprises four main panels and a series of expert discussions. <\/span><\/p>Due to the exclusive format of the event, places are limited. Proceedings will be conducted in English (interpretation will be provided). Applications for attendance can be submitted via the form below. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tConference Programme<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVenue: National Library, Warsaw, 213 Niepodleg\u0142o\u015bci Avenue <\/strong><\/p>08:00<\/b> | Registration of participants<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>09:00 \u2013 9:20<\/b> | Welcoming <\/span><\/p>Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education
Katarzyna Smyk, Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland
Hubert Cichocki, President, \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network
Micha\u0142 Matlak, Director, \u0141ukasiewicz-ITECH<\/p>
- 9:20<\/b><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 9:40 <\/b>| Keynote speech <\/span> <\/li><\/ul>
H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia)<\/span><\/p>- 9:40 \u2013 10:00<\/b> Opening Speech<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
Prof. Marcin Pi\u0105tkowski, Professor of Economics at Kozminski University and a former World Bank\u2019s Lead Economist for India and China <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- 10:00 \u2013 11:30 | Panel I: Technological sovereignty and defence<\/b><\/li><\/ul>
- How can we tackle the critical technological dependencies (including in components) \u2013 and do we need to?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can we increase innovation in the European defence sector?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- With all the increased defence spending \u2013 are European states going to compete or cooperate?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How did the war in Ukraine force Poland to rethink adoption of defence innovation?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can we use military spending as a \u201cmultiplier\u201d to help strengthen Europe\u2019s broader tech ecosystem?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Katja Bego, Senior Research Fellow, Europe Programme, Chatham House<\/span><\/li>
- Adam Mazgal, Department of Industrial Policy and Defence Industry, Ministry of Economic Development and Technolog<\/span><\/li>
- Gen. Wojciech Ozga, former Head of the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre NATO-JATEC <\/span><\/li>
- Wojciech Przybylski, editor-in-chief of Visegrad Insight, President of Res Publica Foundation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Piotr Wojciechowski, Piotr Wojciechowski, Prezes Zarz\u0105du WB Electronics S.A. President of the Management Board, WB Electronics S.A. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Col. Micha\u0142 \u017bo\u0142nierowicz, Deputy Director of the Innovation Department, Ministry of National Defence <\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Melania Parzonka, Chief Analyst on European Security, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH <\/span><\/p>11:30 \u2013 12:00 | One-on-One Fireside Chat: H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia) in
conversation with Raphael Minder, the Financial Times\u2019 Central Europe Correspondent<\/span><\/p><\/li>- 12:00 \u2013 12:30<\/b> | Coffee break<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- 12:30 – 14:00 Defence Spending & Economic Growth<\/b><\/li><\/ul>
- What conditions must be met for higher defence spending to translate into durable economic growth?<\/span><\/li>
- How can we mitigate the macroeconomic effects of large-scale purchases of off-the-shelf equipment from foreign partners, in favour of building high-margin links in the domestic value chain? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- To what extent have programmes such as PESCO and SAFE consolidated the European defence industry and technological unification? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- What are the key dependencies in the European defence industry, and how can we counter them?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How effective are EU and NATO programmes in stimulating defence innovation in Europe?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How can public support for high defence spending be sustained amid a growing budget deficit and pressure on public expenditure?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Johannes Binder, Research Economist & Advisor to the President, Kiel Institute for the World Economy <\/span><\/li>
- Janusz Jab\u0142onowski, Chief Economist, \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Magda Malec, Economic Consultant, World Bank <\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Konrad Szyma\u0144ski, former EU Affairs Minister of Poland <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Mateusz Walewski, Director of the Research and Analysis Department, Chief Economist, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Pawe\u0142 Marczewski, Head of the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/p>14:00 \u2013 15:00<\/b> | Lunch<\/span><\/p><\/li>- 15:00 \u2013 15:30<\/b> | <\/span>High Level Conversation<\/strong>
- Micha\u0142 Baranowski, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Poland<\/span><\/li>
- Sabine Weyand, Florence School of Transnational Governance, EUI<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Jan K\u0142apa, the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>15:30 \u2013 17:00 | Panel III: Redrawing the Board: Where Are We in the New Geoeconomic Order?<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/li>- How can Europe reposition itself at a moment when the rules of the global economy are being rewritten?<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/li>
- What is Europe’s real room for manoeuvre between the United States and China?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- How are trade, technology and supply chains becoming instruments of strategic competition?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- What would genuine strategic autonomy require of European industry and policy?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- Hanna Cichy, Polityka Insight<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Bartek Czyczerski, CEO, Business & Science Poland<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President, Cyprus Forum <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
- Dalibor Roh\u00e1\u010d, Director of Research, GLOBSEC <\/span><\/li>
- Pawe\u0142 \u015aliwowski, Deputy Director, Polish Economic Institute<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>
- Sabine Weyand, Florence School of Transnational Governance, EUI<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Chair: Piotr Buras, Head of Warsaw Office, ECFR<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>- 17:00 \u2013 18:30 | Panel IV: From Imitation to Specialisation: Innovation, Security and Asian Lessons for Poland\u2019s Development Model<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- How can innovation be linked with security so that military R&D seeds high-margin links in the domestic value chain?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/li>
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\tNational security, technological sovereignty and economic stability constitute the pillars of the long-term strategy of Poland and the European Union.<\/span><\/p> We have the honour of inviting you to attend the \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH Annual Conference 2026: Security for Prosperity, which will take place on 14 October 2026 in Warsaw.<\/strong><\/span><\/p> The debate will focus on European Union mechanisms for technological sovereignty, the translation of increased defence expenditure into economic growth, and strategic lessons drawn from Asian markets. The programme comprises four main panels and a series of expert discussions. <\/span><\/p> Due to the exclusive format of the event, places are limited. Proceedings will be conducted in English (interpretation will be provided). Applications for attendance can be submitted via the form below. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Venue: National Library, Warsaw, 213 Niepodleg\u0142o\u015bci Avenue <\/strong><\/p> 08:00<\/b> | Registration of participants<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul> 09:00 \u2013 9:20<\/b> | Welcoming <\/span><\/p> Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia)<\/span><\/p> Prof. Marcin Pi\u0105tkowski, Professor of Economics at Kozminski University and a former World Bank\u2019s Lead Economist for India and China <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Chair: Melania Parzonka, Chief Analyst on European Security, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH <\/span><\/p> 11:30 \u2013 12:00 | One-on-One Fireside Chat: H.E. President Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia) in Chair: Pawe\u0142 Marczewski, Head of the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/p> 14:00 \u2013 15:00<\/b> | Lunch<\/span><\/p><\/li> Chair: Jan K\u0142apa, the Department of Strategy and Analysis, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 ITECH<\/span><\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p> 15:30 \u2013 17:00 | Panel III: Redrawing the Board: Where Are We in the New Geoeconomic Order?<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/li> Chair: Piotr Buras, Head of Warsaw Office, ECFR<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>Conference Programme<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Katarzyna Smyk, Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland
Hubert Cichocki, President, \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network
Micha\u0142 Matlak, Director, \u0141ukasiewicz-ITECH<\/p>
conversation with Raphael Minder, the Financial Times\u2019 Central Europe Correspondent<\/span><\/p><\/li>