As the World Economic Forum (WEF) opens in Davos against a backdrop of global conflict and political uncertainty, Poland is seeking to raise its international profile through a new initiative designed to extend dialogue beyond the official WEF agenda. “Davos is the place we have to be — whether we like it or not,” said Małgorzata Bonikowska, president of the Center for International Relations, speaking to TVP World. “After 56 years, the World Economic Forum has become a place of dialogue for the most important people on the planet — leaders of politics, business and international organizations from all continents.” Poland’s answer this year is the Leaders Forum powered by Poland, a five-day program running alongside the main WEF sessions. Bonikowska added that the project is not a government initiative. “This is an initiative of two think tanks and private Polish companies who decided to invest their own money to be visible in Davos,” she said. “It’s very costly, but it shows that Polish companies are already global.” She pointed to firms such as Autopay and Żabka Group, as well as state-linked partners including Orlen, Pekao and Poland’s planned Central Communication Port. “Such companies and such activities have to be visible in places like Davos,” Bonikowska added. The forum will also host discussions with Polish ministers and international partners, including the Community of Democracies, which is headquartered in Warsaw. “The consortium we built lets us really show the best of Poland,” she said. This year’s meeting comes amid what WEF chief executive Børge Brende has described as the most complex geopolitical situation since 1945 — an assessment Bonikowska said she shares. “Donald Trump is coming, and he will be watched by the whole world,” she said, adding that Davos remains a key venue for informal diplomacy. “This is all about Davos — to talk, to negotiate, maybe even to solve some problems.” Ukraine is expected to feature prominently. “For Ukraine, Davos is not only a political chance — it is also a business chance,” Bonikowska said, noting extensive talks on rebuilding the country. Asked about a possible $800-billion recovery agreement, she said: “It is quite likely. Poland is very interested, because we will organize the next summit on rebuilding Ukraine.” Beyond Ukraine, Bonikowska argued that Davos reflects a broader shift away from globalization. “We are already facing deglobalization,” she said. “Companies are shortening supply chains, and every business decision today has to take politics into account.” “Europe has discovered that we cannot globalize everything,” she added. “We need strategic production inside the European Union or very close to it — not only because of Russia or China, but also vis-à-vis the United States.”
