Connact brings the Country System to Brussels: 50 companies and associations representing 44 per cent of Italy’s GDP

Brussels – Almost 50 major Italian companies and associations, research centres and civil society organisations, which together account for 44 per cent of Italy’s GDP, will be in Brussels on 4 February for the second edition of the Annual Meeting of Connact, the events platform that promotes dialogue between private entities and institutions through meetings and networking opportunities. With over 1 trillion euros in revenue, representing 1.7 million companies, or 33.1 per cent of all Italian companies, and 5.8 million employees, representing 30 per cent of all Italian employees, the companies, associations, and organisations participating in the event will meet with members of parliament and representatives of European, national and regional institutions to discuss the priorities that Italy’s institutional and economic stakeholders will place at the centre of the European agenda. 

The new edition of the Annual Meeting entitled “The Italian System and the Priorities of the European Union” – starting at 1700 at THE SQUARE, Mont des Arts/Kunstberg B-1000 Brussels – stems precisely from the need to encourage interaction and dialogue between the manufacturing sector and decision-makers. The meeting will be an opportunity to consolidate Italy’s presence in Brussels and strengthen dialogue with European institutions. The event aims to promote active and proactive collaboration, which is essential to address future challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Also expected to attend are Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Favi, Italian Ambassador to Belgium, and Vincenzo Celeste*, Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU, and Carlo Corazza, Director of the European Parliament Office in Italy. 

Thematic sessions: There will be 13 thematic round tables where companies, associations, and organisations will engage in discussion with institutional representatives. Agri will focus on the CAP reform and its consequences for the European and Italian agricultural sector, while Circular Economy will be dedicated to policies and investments aimed at accelerating the European circular economy. The theme of industrial cooperation and the role of Italian industry in strengthening European defence will be discussed in “Defence & Security”, while “Democracy & Right” will focus on the European Union’s action amid crises, migration, and international tensions. “Finance & Insurance” will be an opportunity to focus on reforms and tools to channel savings towards productive investments in Europe. The new EU agenda on agri-food, including safety, traceability, and competitiveness, will be addressed in “Food”. “Industry & Market” will answer the question: “What are the EU instruments for innovation and productive resilience, and how do they work?”  “Media” will be the table where the Media Freedom Act, the AI Act, and the Digital Market Act will be discussed to protect the press, pluralism, and the development of the cultural sector. There will also be talk of sustainable transport, decarbonisation, modernisation, and synergies between industrial policies to overcome the crisis in the automotive sector in “Mobility & Logistics,” while “Net & Tech” will be dedicated to the major theme of technological sovereignty, security,and strategic autonomy through the implementation of TLC infrastructure and services. The key role of pharmaceuticals and EU support for innovation and autonomy will be the focus of the “Pharma and Medical Devices” round table. Finally, “Research & Innovation” will be dedicated to European R&I policy, encompassing both development and support for researchers, businesses, and innovators. 

The Connact Annual Meeting is an event organised by Fondazione Articolo 49 in collaboration with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy. Under the patronage of: AGID, Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, ANCI, ENEA, National Research Council, APRE, Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, Autonomous Region of Valle D’Aosta, the Basilicata Region, Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Calabria Region, Emilia Romagna Region, Lazio Region, Liguria Region, Lombardy Region, Molise Region, Piedmont Region, Tuscany Region, and the Umbria Region. 

The event is sponsored by A2A, Assonime, Autostrade per l’Italia, Barilla, Bracco, Centromarca, Gruppo Chiesi, CIA Agricoltori Italiani, CONAI, Confartigianato, Confcooperative, Confetra, Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato, Edison, ELT Group, Enel, Eni, Fastweb+Vodafone, Federalimentare, Federcasse, FLA FederlegnoArredo, Federvini, Gruppo Ferrero, FiberCop, Fincantieri, Generali, Gruppo FS, Intesa Sanpaolo, INWIT, IP Gruppo api, ITA Airways, Leonardo, Menarini Group, MFE – Media for Europe, Open Fiber, Pirelli & C., Snam, Terna, TIM, WindTre. Scientific Partners: APRE, National Research Council (IBBA, ISPA, STEMS), ENEA, IAI Institute of International Affairs, Guglielmo Tagliacarne Chamber of Commerce Study Centre, Milan Polytechnic. Speakers also include AGCOM, ASVIS, Intersos, AVSI, Save the Children Italy, and UNHCR. 

Agence Europe, ANSA, Eunews, Gea Agency, Huffington Post, L’Infografica, Radio Radicale, TGcom24, and Vatican News are media partners of the initiative.

For information click here, for accreditation please write to adesioni@connact.it