The fight for water – a challenge for people, the economy, and the environment

Water scarcity and management will be a central theme at the upcoming XXXV Economic Forum in Karpacz, with experts set to dissect the multifaceted challenges posed by drought.

The discussions will delve into the severe consequences of drought for agriculture, emphasizing the critical need for effective water retention strategies in both urban environments and the broader landscape. Experts will also address the quality of water resources and the current condition of Poland's major rivers, with a particular focus on the Oder River.

Furthermore, the forum will explore the significance of hydropower and examine how to reconcile economic development with the crucial task of protecting water resources and the environment. The debate will be moderated by Robert Czerniawski, director of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute.

Participants include Mariusz Matyka (Institute of Cultivation, Fertilization and Soil Science), Professor Anna Januchta-Szostak (Poznan University of Technology), Professor Łukasz Sługocki (University of Szczecin), Mateusz Grygoruk (Warsaw School of Economics), Ewa Malicka (Association for the Development of Small Hydroelectric Power Plants), and Mateusz Balcerowicz (State Water Holding "Polish Waters"). The event, running from September 8-10, 2026, is expected to draw over 6,000 attendees to more than 500 panels and sessions.