To enable exchange despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, the 17th edition of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) was conducted in a digital format.

Vienna – Under the motto “Economy Meets Politics in a Digital World”, DI Peter Umundum, Member of the Management Board of Austrian Post for Parcel & Logistics and President of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), invited to the 17th Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2020. To ensure dialogue despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, the event was held as a digital format.

Opening and welcoming remarks were delivered by Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Founder and Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), and DI Peter Umundum, President of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF). The event welcomed H.E. Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, as Guest of Honour. At the core of the discussion stood the topic “New Forms of Mobility in a Digital World. Regional Economy at the Crossroads – Growth or Decline?”, commented, among others, by Prime Ministers and high-level government representatives from Kosovo, Ukraine and North Macedonia.

The Board Members, together with around 300 members, partners and friends of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) from more than 30 countries, followed the invitation and exchanged views on the economic and political challenges of the digital world. The Austrian economy was represented by the Federation of Austrian Industries, Raiffeisen Bank International, AME International GmbH, Verbund AG, AFRY Management Consulting Austria, LANSKY, GANZGER + partner, EVN, A1 Telekom Austria Group, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Canon CEE GmbH and Austrian Post AG.

“We must not lose sight of what is essential, particularly in such extraordinary times. Therefore, it was important for me that this year’s edition of Vienna Economic Forum sheds light on the latest developments in the digital world and their impact on economy and politics. With Vienna Economic Forum, we possess an excellent platform that enables us to move even closer together regionally and digitally,” says Peter Umundum.

The Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, emphasizes: “The decision of the VEF Board to organize the 17th Vienna Economic Forum under the motto ‘90 Minutes with European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel’ carries a very strong symbolic meaning. Commissioner Gabriel’s portfolio also includes the topic of youth, and we all know: The future is digital! And youth is the future!”

About Vienna Economic Forum (VEF)

Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) aims to make investment opportunities in the region between the Adriatic and the Black Sea more attractive and to promote them. Since its foundation in April 2004, the economic cooperation between companies from the member countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Austria, Romania, Slovenia, Türkiye and Ukraine – has developed successfully.

In 2011, Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) was granted the status of an International Non-Governmental Organisation (Int. NGO); in 2012, it received Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is also registered in the Transparency Register of the European Parliament and the European Commission. In March 2020, DI Peter Umundum was elected President of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) by the General Assembly of Members.

Translation by VEF. Original Text: www.ots.at