70th Anniversary

Warsaw, 17 March 2026

cross advanced and emerging economies, social models are under unprecedented stress. Geopolitical tensions, rising inequality, demographic ageing, technological disruption, and weakened trust in institutions are reshaping how societies think about cohesion, fairness and opportunity. Europe is confronted with a triple challenge:

  • sustaining competitiveness and innovation,
  • preserving welfare systems under fiscal pressure
  • and responding to societal expectations for protection and social inclusion.

At the same time, new thinking is emerging on social investment, and the renewed role of the State and the private sector.

Across advanced and emerging economies, social models are under unprecedented stress. Geopolitical tensions, rising inequality, demographic ageing, technological disruption, and weakened trust in institutions are reshaping how societies think about cohesion, fairness and opportunity. Europe is confronted with a triple challenge:

  • sustaining competitiveness and innovation,
  • preserving welfare systems under fiscal pressure
  • and responding to societal expectations for protection and social inclusion.

At the same time, new thinking is emerging on social investment, and the renewed role of the State and the private sector.

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Event details

Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Hosted in Ministry of Finance of Poland in Warsaw, CEB 70th anniversary event will feature:

Opening ceremony

16:00 - 16:30 (CET)

Master of ceremonies:

  • Naomi Lloyd, TV News Presenter & Event Moderator

Opening speeches:

  • Andrzej Domański, Minister of Finance and Economy of Poland
  • Carlo Monticelli, Governor, Council of Europe Development Bank

Panel discussion 1: Innovation, public purpose & new social models

16:30 - 17:30 (CET)
  • Ekkehard Ernst, Chief of the Macro-economic Policies and Jobs Unit, ILO
  • Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
  • Masood Ahmed, President Emeritus of the Center for Global Development

Moderator:

  • Naomi Lloyd, TV News Presenter & Event Moderator

Coffee break

17:30 - 17:45 (CET)

Panel discussion 2: Financing social inclusion in a transforming Europe

17:45 - 18:45 (CET)
  • Mark Bowman, Vice President, Policy and Partnerships, EBRD
  • Sandrine Gaudin, Vice-Governor for Financial Strategy, CEB
  • Mikołaj Dowgielewicz, Deputy Secretary General, EIB
  • Mateusz Szczurek, Member of the Management Board, Polish Development Bank

Moderator:

  • Naomi Lloyd, TV News Presenter & Event Moderator

Closing ceremony

18:50 - 19:00 (CET)
  • Gianluca Esposito, Director General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe

Speakers

Andrzej Domański

Andrzej Domański

Minister of Finance and Economy of Poland

Carlo Monticelli

Carlo Monticelli

Governor, Council of Europe Development Bank

Gianluca Esposito

Gianluca Esposito

Director General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe

Naomi Lloyd

Naomi Lloyd

TV News Presenter & Event Moderator

Panelists

Ekkehard Ernst

Ekkehard Ernst

Chief of the Macro-economic Policies and Jobs Unit, ILO

Arancha González

Arancha González

Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain

Masood Ahmed

Masood Ahmed

President Emeritus of the Center for Global Development

Mark Bowman

Mark Bowman

Vice President, Policy and Partnerships, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Sandrine Gaudin

Sandrine Gaudin

Vice-Governor for Financial Strategy, Council of Europe Development Bank

Mikołaj Dowgielewicz

Mikołaj Dowgielewicz

Deputy Secretary General, European Investment Bank

Mateusz Szczurek

Mateusz Szczurek

Member of the Management Board and Chief Risk Officer of the Polish Development Bank (BGK)