#Road2WSF | CONVERSATION WITH A SPECIAL GUEST: General Curtis M. Scaparrotti
#Road2WSF | CONVERSATION WITH A SPECIAL GUEST: General Curtis M. Scaparrotti
The conversation between Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti (Commander of U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe 2016-2019) and Florence Gaub (Deputy Director of the European Union Institute for Security Studies) addressed many issues related to the future of NATO, cooperation between the U.S. and Europe, challenges presented by the global pandemic and the roles of Russia and China.
The session began by discussing the future of NATO. Gen. Scaparrotti expressed his optimism, which he credited to NATO’s proven ability to adapt. The rise of China and the role of Russia are examples of upcoming challenges to be faced by NATO on the global stage. In addition, issues within NATO must be dealt with in order to improve transatlantic relations. Gen. Scaparrotti then considered the topic of U.S.-Poland relations, citing the endurance of the relationship between the two countries.
The discussion proceeded to the subject of the EU’s military sovereignty. According to Gen. Scaparrotti, this is a work in progress which requires a stronger European defense system and greater investment in military equipment. Regarding transatlantic relations, Gen. Scaparrotti stressed the need for close cooperation and said that European military sovereignty strengthens NATO. Furthermore, Gen. Scaparrotti acknowledged rising security threats during COVID-19, including increased malign activities by Russia and China. Moreover, he noted the negative impact of the pandemic on European defense budgets. Gen. Scaparrotti concluded by focusing on the topic of cyber threats from China and Russia, NATO’s cyber defense and tensions between the U.S. and China.
This session was co-hosted with Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company which is engaged in the research, development and manufacturing of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Energy Security as the Foundation for a Just Transition in Post-Industrial Regions
The transformation of post-industrial regions toward sustainable, low-emission economies hinges on one critical factor: energy security. This theme, explored during a high-level panel discussion at the last edition of the Warsaw Security Forum, highlighted the need to transition from coal and other high-emission energy sources to cleaner alternatives such as renewable and nuclear energy. Achieving this shift will require not only technological innovation but also strategic planning, international cooperation, and robust regulatory frameworks.
Polish presidency in the EU: a chance for a sustainable energy transition
The evolving landscape of decarbonization and energy security, with its profound regional and global implications, business operations in Poland. ORLEN is eager to engage in discussions about energy transition and the EU regulations required to facilitate it. The company has prepared a position paper highlighting the key challenges: preserving the competitiveness of the EU market, championing technological neutrality, ensuring access to decarbonization financing, and shifting away from overly prescriptive regulatory approaches.
WSF2024: Summary
The 11th edition of the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF), held on October 1-2, 2024, successfully brought together 2,600 participants from 90 countries, 30 governmental delegations, and over 250 speakers to address critical issues surrounding European and transatlantic security. With 1 million combined online views and over 14,000 live viewers, the WSF reaffirmed its importance as a leading platform for security dialogue in Europe.