Brussels – On January 15 in Brussels, 22 large companies and 12 trade associations for a turnover accounting for 47 percent of Italy’s GDP will be at the first annual meeting of Connact, the event platform that promotes dialogue between private entities and institutions through conferences and networking.
With over 1.000 billions in revenues, representing over 1 million businesses — 20 percent present in Italy — and with 4.6 million people employees, or 28 percent of all private sector workers, the leading companies and associations will discuss with the Italian delegation of the European Parliament the priorities of the Italy System.
The event
“The Italy System in the New EU Legislature” – from 5 p.m. at THE SQUARE, Mont des Arts/Kunstberg B-1000 Brussels – stems precisely from the need to encourage meetings and discussions between trade associations and businesses with Italian MEPs and EU officials. Antonio Tajani*, Vice-President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffaele Fitto*, Executive Vice-President of the EU Commission Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Vincenzo Celeste, Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU, and over 300 representatives of the institutions, including national MEPs and officials from Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, are expected to attend. The meeting will provide an opportunity to consolidate Italy’s presence in Brussels and strengthen dialogue with European institutions. The event aims to stimulate active and proactive collaboration, which is fundamental to tackling future challenges and seizing emerging opportunities.
Themes
The key issues of the country’s development will be at the center of the debate. There will be eight thematic panels that decision-makers and stakeholders will debate behind closed doors. The panel dedicated to energy transition and technology neutrality will address the crucial role of energy infrastructure in achieving the Net Zero goal, while the panel focusing on the decarbonization of transport and infrastructure investments will open a debate on how a sustainable transport system can become an engine for the growth of territories with a focus on the need for integration between different transport systems. In contrast, the table dedicated to the new European industrial policy and the evolution of the Internal Market and international trade will address the industrial policies needed to revitalize EU manufacturing and developments in the Single Market to ensure adequate supplies and new outlet markets.
On the financial front, there will be a debate on the big topic of credit and finance for sustainable economic development, focusing on tools such as the Capital Markets Union, banking union, green taxonomy, and non-financial reporting. The table devoted to health and nutrition will explore the key role of the agri-food sector and the pharmaceutical industry in the well-being of European citizens. It will discuss how to combine environmental sustainability with food security and promote healthy lifestyles and the policies needed to ensure access to adequate care and medicines.
The defense and security issue is central in the context of international instability. How can we strengthen European defense and security industry integration and foster competitiveness? What contribution can space policies make? The debate will seek to answer these questions. Another crucial topic will be developing the telecommunications infrastructure and digital services necessary to maintain the EU’s competitiveness vis-à-vis the US and China. There will be a discussion on the actions needed to promote advanced digital services that support the competitiveness of the European production system and the green transition. Finally, in the table dedicated to the media industry, there will be an analysis of the information system as a strategic geopolitical asset for upholding the foundations of European law, with a focus on the implementation of the Media Freedom Act, one of the latest measures adopted in the last European legislature.
The promoters
A group of 34 Italian trade associations and companies is promoting the event: A2A, Assonime, Autostrade per l’Italia, Sustainable Meats, Centromarca, Chiesi, Cia – Agricoltori Italiani, Coldiretti, Confartigianato Imprese, Confcooperative, Confetra, Consiglio Nazionale Del Notariato, Edison, Enel, Eni, Federcasse – BCC Credito Cooperativo, FederlegnoArredo, FS Group, FiberCop, Filiera Italia, Fincantieri, Generali, Intesa Sanpaolo, ITA Airways, ITA-Italian Trade Agency, Iveco Group, Leonardo, MFE Media For Europe, Menarini Group, Open fiber, Pirelli, Saipem, Snam, and Terna.
Organized in collaboration with the European Parliament under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Brussels, European Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, Unioncamere, Belgium-Italy Chamber of Commerce, ENEA, Abruzzo Region, Basilicata Region, Calabria Region, Campania Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, Lazio Region, Lombardy Region, Molise Region, Piedmont Region, Apulia Region, Tuscany Region.
All information is on the event’s website. For Press accreditation, send an email to adesioni@connact.it stating your full name, publication, email, and phone number.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
