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Media invitation: Eurocities Economic Development Forum 2023 in Helsinki

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The Eurocities Economic Development Forum 2023, organized in Helsinki, Finland on 22–24 March, will explore cities’ role in tackling pressing global challenges and in enabling a fair digital and green transition.  

From the energy and cost of living crisis to climate change, cities are using local economic policy to equip themselves with the tools to tackle global challenges. This year’s Eurocities Economic Development Forum will explore how cities across Europe are boosting entrepreneurship, skills, and innovation to create a socially just transition to a green future. 

The forum will feature speakers from the European Commission, the OECD, the European Business Network, local businesses and a number of member cities e.g. from France, Germany, Italy and Spain. 

Representatives of the media are welcome to follow the livestream of the opening ceremony and the keynote sessions on 23 March 9–12.00 and 14.10–15.00 (EET) and on 24 March 9–10.30 (EET) at the Eurocities website or the City of Helsinki’s online video service Helsinki-kanava. 

Representatives of the media are invited to schedule interviews with André Sobczak, Secretary General for Eurocities, and with the City of Helsinki’s Mayor Juhana Vartiainen, City of Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Economic Development Forum Anni Sinnemäki and City of Helsinki’s Director of Business Development Marja-Leena Rinkineva on topics associated with the forum.

Please submit your interview requests to johanna.snellman@hel.fi by 20 March.

Programme 

Thursday, 23 March, 9–12.00 (EET), livestream link
 

9.00–9.30 Official Welcome 

  • Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki 
  • Anni Sinnemäki, Chair of the Economic Development Forum and Deputy Mayor of Helsinki 
  • André Sobczak, Eurocities Secretary General

Moderator: Denise Wall, former journalist, Founder of Wallcomms Oy

9.30–10.30 Keynote interventions: Cities working with businesses to solve global challenges 

  • Bram Pauwels, CSO, European Business Network 
  • Tanja Tanayama, Head of Advisory Hub, European Investment Bank

Moderator: Denise Wall, former journalist, Founder of Wallcomms Oy

10.30–11.00 Break

11.00–11.30 Fireside chat: Cities and businesses tackling the climate emergency

Panel discussion with member cities on circularity and public-private partnerships to tackle the climate challenge.

  • Miimu Airaksinen, Senior Vice President for Development, SRV Group
  • Eveline Jonkhoff, Head of Sustainability and Circular Economy, Amsterdam

Moderator: Marja-Leena Rinkineva, Director for Economic Development, Helsinki

Thursday, 23 March, 14.10–15.00 (EET), livestream link

14.10–15.00 Political track: Public feedback session 

  • Anni Sinnemäki, Chair of the Economic Development Forum and Deputy Mayor of Helsinki 
  • André Sobczak, Eurocities Secretary General 

Moderator: Silvia Ganzerla, Eurocities

Friday, 24 March, 9–10.30 (EET), livestream link

9.00–9.40 Keynote on the EU’s skill and attraction policies 

  • Anita Vella, Head of Unit, Legal Pathways and Integration, DG HOME, European Commission (remote) 
  • Kristine Langenbucher, Head of Unit, Employment and Skills, OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions & Cities

Moderator: Denise Wall, former journalist, Founder of Wallcomms Oy

9.40–10.30 Local skills and attraction policies 

Panel debate on challenges and potential avenues for local workforce development and attraction. 

  • Markku Ignatius, General Counsel and Public Affairs, Supercell 
  • Markku Lahtinen, Director, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce 
  • Linda Ozola, Vice Mayor, City of Riga 
  • Lena Forsgren, Lead for Skills and Workforce Development, City of Stockholm 

Moderator: Denise Wall, former journalist, Founder of Wallcomms Oy

Eurocities is a network of over 140 large European cities from 39 countries that promotes the economic and social development of its member cities. Eurocities supervises interests at the level of the EU, generates information about the EU’s funding application rounds and EU legislation, and functions as a peer learning platform for its member cities. Helsinki has been a member of the Eurocities network since 1994 and the chair of the Economic Development Forum from November 2020 until June 2023. 

More information 

Eurocities Economic Development Forum

Helsinki-kanava livestream on Thursday 23 March (morning) 

Helsinki-kanava livestream on Thursday 23 March (afternoon) 

Helsinki-kanava livestream on Friday 24 March 

Interview with Deputy Mayor Anni Sinnemäki on the Eurocities website 

Link to Hel.fi news story: Helsinki to host Economic Development Forum on 23–24 March

Johanna Snellman
Communications Specialist
City of Helsinki
johanna.snellman@hel.fi
+358 40 843 0915
www.hel.fi

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