Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy, President of the European Central Bank, and recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential people in the world, will be a keynote speaker at the ABSL Summit 2025 that takes place on June 23-25 in Kraków. In his speech, Dr. Draghi will address critical challenges facing the European economy, including the erosion of its competitive edge in technology and innovation, and will explore actionable strategies to address them.
The ABSL Summit is one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most significant socio-economic events and the premier gathering for the business services sector in Europe. Attended by over 1,500 business leaders from global companies, government representatives, experts, and academics, the event offers in-depth analysis of global trends and their impact on economic growth and social development.
Mario Draghi on Europe’s competitive edge
As the keynote speaker for the ABSL Summit 2025, Dr. Mario Draghi will rely on decades of leadership at the helm of transformative global economic events. He has held pivotal roles, including President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, President of the European Central Bank, Governor of the Banca d’Italia, and Chairman of the Financial Stability Forum, which crafted the G-7’s first regulatory response to the global financial crisis. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential people in the world, and author of the influential report, The Future of European Competitiveness, Dr. Mario Draghi is among the most well-equipped experts to provide an analysis on the future direction of the global economy. At the Summit he will deliver a keynote address titled "Critical Challenges Facing the European Economy", and examine the urgent issues surrounding Europe’s declining competitiveness in technology and innovation, the potential consequences of losing its edge, and actionable solutions to reverse the trend.
Janusz Dziurzyński, President of ABSL Poland, said: “We are honored to welcome Mario Draghi as a keynote speaker at the ABSL Summit, which coincides with the culmination of Poland’s EU presidency. In alignment with the presidency’s priorities, we are focused on crafting strategies to enhance European competitiveness and innovation. The business services sector, with its innovative spirit and adaptability, can play a crucial role in driving this growth. We are confident that Dr. Draghi’s keynote address will provide invaluable insights into the future of economic growth and development in Europe.”
Embrace technology. Empower people
The theme of this year's ABSL Summit, "Embrace technology. Empower people", is particularly timely as it resonates strongly with the findings of Mario Draghi's influential report on the future of European competitiveness. This report emphasizes the importance of embracing technology to drive economic growth, improve productivity, and empower people across the continent.
The Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL), which represents the business services sector, strongly supports these priorities, and contributes to the agenda for transformation as well as growth, especially in areas such as innovation and digital transformation. The business services sector has significant potential to enhance European competitiveness. Currently, it accounts for over 20 percent of the GDP of the EU27 countries, and its significance in the economy continues to rise. With the right policies and strategic investments, this sector can extend its substantial contribution to economic growth, employment, and innovation, thereby strengthening Europe's overall competitiveness.
Kraków hosts ABSL Summit for third year in a row
Kraków is one of the top locations for the business services sector in Europe. According to the ABSL report, the city exceeded the threshold of 100,000 employees in the business services sector, with 25 centers employing 1,000 or more people. The city leads in the ABSL rankings for highly qualified personnel resources, a key factor in the sector's development.
Aleksander Miszalski, Mayor of Kraków, host city of ABSL Summit 2025: “We welcome the ABSL Summit back to Kraków for the third time, a testament to our city's strong position as a hub for business services. With its unique blend of a highly skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and exceptional quality of life, Kraków continues to attract investors, strengthening its competitiveness among developed European cities and offering residents and entrepreneurs optimal conditions for living and growth. This is why we remain committed to supporting the sector's continued growth, as it drives innovation and modern business forward”.
