Boosting the EU’s competitiveness has been a priority since the start of the current European parliamentary term. The geopolitical upheavals of recent months have made it an even more pressing necessity. The autumn session of the Connact workshops aims to contribute to the discussion on current initiatives at the European level and on those to be undertaken in the fields of finance, the circular economy, and transport. By bringing together policymakers and stakeholders, we will examine in detail the measures under discussion at the European level and their implications for the Italian system.
Autumn Workshop
Boosting European competitiveness: finance, the circular economy, and transport
Bruxelles, 13 October 2026
Programme
| Time | Connact Autumn Workshop |
|---|---|
9:30 am |
| Time | Autumn Workshop - Energy 2026 |
|---|---|
9:30 am | Energy security on the path to European self-sufficiencyEnvironmental sustainability concerns provided the European Union with the initial impetus to embark on phasing out fossil fuels. Subsequently, the energy crises that followed the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran highlighted a further compelling reason to turn to alternative sources: the need to build European energy self-sufficiency to free the Union from dependence on foreign countries and from the repercussions of events over which it has no control. It has also become clear that while progress on renewable energy sources is significant, it is not yet sufficient to guarantee the energy security required by the European economy and its citizens. Against this backdrop, the EU is recalibrating its short- and medium-term strategies to ensure secure and affordable supplies in the immediate term and to avoid setbacks in implementing its longer-term strategy, which aims for climate neutrality and strategic autonomy. Representatives from various institutions and stakeholders participating in the energy roundtable will discuss short-term solutions and the path towards the long-term goal. Keynote speech
Marta Balossino *
EU Commission, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Jørgensen Speakers
Stefano Bonaccini
MEP, S&D/PD
Paolo Borchia *
MEP, PfE/Lega
Borys Budka *
MEP, EPP/KO
Nicola Procaccini *
MEP, ECR/FdI
Benedetta Scuderi *
MEP, GREENS/Verdi
Dario Tamburrano
MEP, LEFT/M5S
Laia Pinos Mataro *
European Commission, Member of Commissioner Séjourné’s Cabinet
Philippe Lamberts *
EU Commission, Special advisor of President von der Leyen for Climate
Relatore della Reppresentanza permanente dell'Italia Presso l'UE *
TBD Q&A with Connact organisers
Representative of a2a
Representative of Edison
Representative of Enel
Representative of Eni
Representative of IP
Representative of Snam
Representative of Terna Moderator
Giulia Torbidoni
Editor-in-chief at Eunews |
* attendance to be confirmed.
| Time | Autumn Workshop - Circular Economy 2026 |
|---|---|
12:00 pm | Developing the circular economy: best practices and legislative initiativesThe discussion focuses on the experience of stakeholders in the circular economy sector and the solutions proposed by the European institutions to encourage the development of this production model. Italy has developed some interesting models in various sectors, such as water cycle management. Our country is also at the forefront of the materials recycling sector, but it suffers from the lack of a genuine European market for secondary raw materials. Through initiatives such as the Circular Economy Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act, the EU can provide a significant boost to both the dissemination of best practices developed in Italy and the creation of regulatory and market Keynote speech
François Wakenhut *
EU Commission, Head of Unit DG ENV B3 Speakers
Pierfrancesco Maran *
MEP, S&D/PD
Pietro Fiocchi
MEP, ECR/FdI
Valentina Palmisano
MEP, LEFT/M5S
Massimiliano Salini *
MEP, EPP/FI
Silvia Sardone
MEP, PfE/Lega
Nicolò Brignoli *
EU Commission, Member of Commissioner Dombrovskis' cabinet
Relatore della Reppresentanza permanente dell'Italia Presso l'UE
TBD Q&A with Connact organisers
Representative of a2a
Representative of Assoclima
Representative of Conai Moderator
Alessandra De Santis
Coordinator of EconomiaCircolare.com |
* attendance to be confirmed.
| Time | Autumn Workshop - Mobility & Logistics 2026 |
|---|---|
2:15 pm | The transport system: balancing sustainability and competitivenessTransport plays a key role both in combating climate change and in ensuring the competitiveness of various sectors of the economy. The European Union is working across all areas of mobility to develop solutions that reconcile these two aspects: strategies for ports and the maritime industry; the aviation package; high-speed rail and the single ticketing system; and the revision of the AFIR Regulation on infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and alternative fuels along European roads and motorways. The Mobility & Logistics working group will focus on examining the impact of these initiatives on the Italian transport system and will bring together European policymakers and industry representatives. Keynote speech
Pierpaolo Settembri *
EU Commission, Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Commissioner Tzitzikostas Speakers
Paolo Borchia *
MEP, PfE/Lega
Carlo Fidanza *
MEP, ECR/FdI
Dariusz Joński *
MEP, EPP/KO
Matteo Ricci
MEP, S&D/PD
Raffaele Latrofa *
Special Commissioner of the Port System Authority of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea
Relatore della Reppresentanza permanente dell'Italia Presso l'UE
TBD Q&A with Connact organisers
Representative Aiscat
Representative of Autostrade
Rappresentante di Confetra
Representative of Ferrovie dello Stato italiane
Representative of Fincantieri
Representative of Ita Airways
Speaker for Leonardo SpA
TBD
Representative of Pirelli & C. Moderator
Lorenzo Robustelli
Director of Eunews |
* attendance to be confirmed.
| Time | Autumn Workshop - Finance & Insurance 2026 |
|---|---|
4:30 pm | The competitiveness of the financial system and progress towards the Savings & Investment UnionThe European Commission’s recent report on the competitiveness of the European banking system highlights the key challenges and opportunities for strengthening the sector. The document sets out a framework for developing an action plan through which the EU, by finalising the legislative packages currently under discussion and adopting new initiatives for the second half of the legislative term, will help ensure the sector’s resilience and enable operators to compete with other players globally. In this context, progress towards establishing the Savings & Investment Union, the review of the banking package and pension fund legislation, and the role of the supervisory authorities (EBA, ESMA, EIOPA and, most recently, AMLA) are all pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that must be put together carefully and harmoniously, so as to make the European regulatory environment an ideal breeding ground for the development of the European financial sector. Keynote Speech
Ugo Bassi
EU Commission, Director Banking, Insurance and Financial Crime at DG FISMA Speakers
Giovanni Crosetto
MEP, ECR/FdI
Fernando Navarrete Rojas *
MEP, EPP/PP
Irene Tinagli *
MEP, S&D/PD
Pasquale Tridico
MEP, LEFT/M5S
Lauro Panella
EU Commission, Cabinet of Commissioner Albuquerque
Stefano Cappiello *
MEF, Director-General for Financial System Regulation and Supervision
Bruna Szego *
AMLA, President
François-Louis Michaud *
EBA, Presidente Q&A with Connact organisers
Representative of Abi
Representative of AIPB
Representative of Assonime
Representative of Federcasse
Representative of Generali
Representative of Intesa Sanpaolo Moderator
Enrico Tibuzzi
Journalist, Former Head of ANSA office in Brussels |
* attendance to be confirmed.
| Time | Autumn Workshop - Conclusioni |
|---|---|
6:45 pm | Closing remarks
Marco Canaparo *
Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU |
* attendance to be confirmed.
Location
- Parlamento Europeo – Edificio Paul-Henri Spaak
-
Spaak 1C51, Rue Wiertz 60
Bruxelles,1047Belgium+ Google Map
In collaboration with
