Global Volatility, U.S relations, and the Future of Work. Poland Organizes a Debate with Global Leaders in Davos
On 19 January, the World Economic Forum will begin in Davos. Poland will strengthen its presence at the heart of the global discussion. As part of the “Leaders Forum powered by Poland,” organized by the Centre for International Relations (Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych), THINKTANK, and partners, leading politicians, experts, and business representatives will seek answers to the challenges of the modern world. The event will take place at a prestigious venue on Davos’s main promenade.
Poland Sets the Tone of the Debate
“Leaders Forum powered by Poland” is an initiative aimed at asserting Poland’s presence in the international debate and political dialogue in Davos. Participants will include, among others, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański, Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka, Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Rafał Rosiński, Deputy Minister of Labour Aleksandra Gajewska, Deputy Minister of State Assets Konrad Gołota, and Chair of the Sejm Committee on European Affairs Agnieszka Pomaska.
A global guest list
International guests will include, among others, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Aschbacher, Thomas Moser of the Bank of Switzerland, and many others. Moderators will include influential journalists and commentators such as Gerard Baker of The Wall Street Journal, Jamil Anderlini of Politico, Matthew Kaminski of Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Siddhant Sibbal from India’s WION television.
Topics and Venue
The “Leaders Forum powered by Poland” program focuses on the key challenges of the coming decade – from geopolitics and the global economy to new technologies, the labour market, and energy and health security.
This year’s edition of “Leaders Forum powered by Poland” will also feature an impressive visual setting. The space has been designed to combine an open public debate area with facilities for closed-door meetings and a dedicated media zone.
The Voice of Polish Business and Academia
“Leaders Forum powered by Poland” was created through an alliance of think tanks, private companies, and the Polish state. The main partners of the event are companies that showcase Polish innovation: Żabka Group, Autopay and Adamed.
“The global economy is developing faster than the systems designed to support it. Today, not only speed matters, but also the resilience and flexibility of solutions that must operate continuously and across multiple markets at the same time. We are entering the era of the Zero Delay Economy, in which every second of delay translates into real losses – from reduced revenues to weakened long-term customer relationships. That is why at Autopay we focus on building a sustainable competitive advantage, ensuring that new technologies respond to the real needs of the modern economy. Davos is a space for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives – because only dialogue between business, governments, social organizations, and academia allows us to design solutions fit for today’s economy” – says Wojciech Murawski, Co-CEO of Autopay.
“During the Leaders Forum, we want to present Poland as a mature partner in the global conversation about the future of commerce. As a European leader in convenience solutions, we bring to this discussion the perspective of consumers who today expect simplicity, speed, and convenience – both in-store and across digital channels. Our response is an ecosystem combining retail, technology, modern logistics, and digital solutions, enabling dynamic and scalable growth. In 2025, we opened nearly 1,400 stores in Poland and Romania, bringing our network to over 12,300 locations. Our expansion in Romania confirms that our model works internationally as well. Companies originating in Poland can set directions for the convenience sector in Europe and globally – and we want to be the best example of that” – says Tomasz Blicharski, Vice President of the Management Board and Group Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Żabka Group.
“One of the goals of “Leaders Forum powered by Poland” is to show that Polish companies are not only participating in the global economy but actively shaping it. Adamed is an excellent example of such a company – dynamically expanding on international markets, innovative, and competitive. This proves that Polish business has a real voice in strategic discussions about the future of the global economy and healthcare” – says Katarzyna Dubno, Director of External Relations, ESG and Health Economics, and member of the Management Team at Adamed Pharma SA.
“In Davos, we will say it clearly: Poland is not a backdrop to the global debate—Poland co-creates its future. The University of Warsaw is the academic partner of the Leaders Forum to contribute reliable data, analysis, and the courage to ask difficult questions. In a world where technology and AI are transforming every sector, science is the infrastructure of the future. Our goal is to combine ambition with credibility and to present a Poland that has something important to say. Poland not only draws on knowledge – Poland helps set its direction. And where ambition meets knowledge, the future begins” – says Robert Grey, Chancellor of the University of Warsaw.
Live from Davos
The full agenda of the event and information about participants are available at: www.leadersforum.pl
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Main partners (founders) of the “Leaders Forum”: Żabka Group, Autopay, Adamed.
Institutional partner: Lewiatan Confederation.
Academic partner: University of Warsaw.
Project partners also include the Ministry of Digital Affairs, PKO BP, Orlen, Port Polska, and Totalizator Sportowy.
The main media partner is Ringier Axel Springer Polska, with additional support from TVP World, TVP Info, and the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Session partners: Community of Democracies, Joep Lange Institute, Three Seas Business Council, and DHL.
Żabka Group is the Ultimate Convenience Ecosystem with a mission to create value by simplifying people’s everyday lives. The Group serves an expanding customer base seeking convenient solutions while promoting responsible practices towards customers, franchisees, suppliers and the wider environment, including sustainable product and packaging use. The ecosystem includes Poland’s leading modern convenience retail network under the Żabka brand, and the Froo network in Romania. Total network comprised 12,339 stores at end-December 2025. The network is complemented by Żabka Nano, Europe’s largest chain of autonomous, unmanned stores offering 24/7 shopping. The Group also offers an advanced portfolio of digital services. Its brand Maczfit provides high-quality ready-to-eat meals delivered directly to customers, while Dietly is a leading platform for comparing dietary catering providers. Online grocery operations are run through the Jush! and Delio brands. Since October 2024, Żabka Group has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Autopay is a European brand with Polish roots that is building a comprehensive fintech ecosystem for businesses and consumers. It helps save time and reduce reliance on single providers by automating payments in e-commerce, telecommunications, utilities and mobility. Autopay solutions are used by 15 million users, and 50,000 companies choose its payment, biometric, verification and mobility technologies. The brand operates based on the values of independence, freedom, responsibility, partnership and trust — creating solutions that offer real choice, control and a truly collaborative model of cooperation. Today, Autopay is among the largest technology companies in Central and Eastern Europe and is rapidly expanding its operations in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Adamed Pharma is a Polish family-owned pharmaceutical and biotechnology company producing nearly 900 stock-keeping units in Poland and abroad, serving patients in dozens of countries. The company employs almost 2,800 people. For 20 years, Adamed has conducted its own innovative R&D activities, investing nearly PLN 2.4 billion since 2001. It collaborates scientifically with leading universities, medical experts and research institutes worldwide. The company’s intellectual property is protected by 256 patents globally.