EEC 2025: The Future of European Rail and Transport Innovation Under the Spotlight in Katowice

The 17th edition of the European Economic Congress has started in Katowice, Poland, with discussions focusing, among other topics, on the future of rail transport in Europe. RAILTARGET is the only Czech media outlet present at the congress and will bring exclusive reports and interviews with participants.

The 17th edition of the largest business congress in Central Europe – the European Economic Congress (EEC) – has officially begun at the International Congress Centre in Katowice. Over the course of three days, more than 1,200 speakers will participate in nearly 200 thematic sessions. Among the key topics is the current state of rail transport in Europe, including the ongoing freight transport crisis.

EEC: Challenges and Opportunities in European Rail Transport

During the discussion panel titled Railways in Poland and Europe, speakers will include, among others, Alan Beroud, the CEO of the Polish national rail carrier PKP, and Piotr Rachwalski, the head of the railway division at Poland’s state-owned CPK. The panel will explore the future of European rail, with a focus on zero-emission operations, digitalization, and modernization of infrastructure and rolling stock. RAILTARGET will cover this panel in a dedicated article.

We’re also looking forward to the Cargo in Europe: Sector and Market panel, where, in addition to Alan Beroud, speakers will include Jan Sechter, the chairman of the Transport Section of the Czech Chamber of Commerce. This panel will address the current challenges facing both rail and air freight transport in Central Europe, particularly emission reduction efforts and infrastructure modernization, led by the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This session will also be covered in a separate report.

Rail Transport and Its Role in European Sustainability Goals

Rail transport plays a key role in meeting the EU's climate goals and strengthening the economic resilience of the region. That’s why it stands out as one of this year’s most important topics, not only from the perspective of sustainability and innovation, but also as part of broader discussions on security, competitiveness, and market connectivity within the framework of the TEN-T network.

The EEC covers a wide range of current socio-economic topics. Discussions will include security, competitiveness, energy and economic transformation, sustainable production, and emission reduction. Emphasis will also be placed on digitalization, cybersecurity, and new technologies. Business internationalization and exploration of new markets are also on the agenda.

The Katowice congress thus represents an important opportunity to shape new initiatives that could influence the direction of EU policies and investments in transport, energy, and environmental protection. A strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability in transport is expected to bring significant changes to the European rail network—impacting both national operators and the broader European market.