Welcome!

Welcome remarks

Welcome remarks

Introductory remarks

In his three years as CEO, Ola Källenius initiated a fundamental transformation at Mercedes-Benz. He spun off the truck business, took the decision to go all-electric and pushes his company to be carbon neutral by 2039. While simultaneously being vocal about the importance of global markets, Källenius aims to ensure that Europe remains at the heart of the automotive industry also in an electric era. Joining us from Stuttgart, Ola Källenius will share his view on the transformation of the automotive sector including European competitiveness.

• Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes-Benz

The year began with a relatively bright outlook for the world economy following a strong recovery in 2021. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed the landscape and Europe's energy dependence on Russia means that the European economies will be more severely affected than the US and China. What does this mean for Sweden and Germany how can the nations together tackle the challenges?

• Lena Sellgren, Chief Economist and Head of Research, Business Sweden

The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) has a long history of promoting competitiveness and prosperity in Europe and gathers CEOs and Chairs from around 60 of Europe’s largest companies in the industrial and technological sector. One of the ERT’s recent reports, shines a spotlight on two very challenging trends. Firstly, global economic power has shifted East as China’s incredible economic growth is setting the pace of global competition. Secondly, in several key areas of investment in infrastructure and future technologies Europe is seriously falling behind.

• Dr. Christina Gommlich, Convenor, ERT Competitiveness and Innovation Committee & Head of Berlin Office, BASF

A joint statement between this year's COP host Egypt and the EU outlines that “The transition to a green and circular economy (…) is a key element to achieving climate-neutral, sustainable growth”. A circular economy establishes a more sustainable production and consumption model in which raw materials are kept longer in production cycles.

Joining us digitally, Johan Rockström will start the session by summarizing his impressions from COP27. This will be followed by a live-streamed panel from the Swedish pavilion in Sharm el-Sheikh where leading Swedish companies will discuss the influence circularity has had on their businesses.

• Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
• Jan Svärd, CEO, EasyMining
• Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate and Biodiversity, TetraPak
• Pia Berglund, Public Affairs Director, Einride

Commercial Vehicle Charging Europe is a newly founded joint venture established by automotive giants Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and Traton Group, who have together committed to invest EUR500 million to build public charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric vehicles. With electric truck sales expected to soar in the coming years, the transport industry is moving ever closer to a fossil-free future. But with multiple challenges including worsening climate threats and an energy crisis threatening Europe's prosperity, the road ahead may not be easy. How can we move faster towards a fossil-free world while not letting today's crises threaten our tomorrow?

• Anja van Niersen, CEO, Commercial Vehicle Charging Europe

The acceleration of the green transition has been challenged as the geopolitical status of Europe is affected by the war on Ukraine. Although this first and foremost a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, the ongoing conflict has sent shockwaves through Europe. All in all, the rising energy prices threatens to put Europe in deep recession but are also a reminder of the need for a sustainable and secure energy supply.

• Jan Larsson, CEO & President, Business Sweden
• Franziska Weiss, Vice President Business Development Europe, Siemens Energy
• Ulrich Schulze Südhoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Enercon

From 13:00 - 14:00 a light lunch is served for physical participants