(ANSA) - KARPACZ, 08 SET - The 35th Karpacz Economic Forum, known as the 'Davos of Eastern Europe', begins today and runs until 10 September in Poland, with over 6,000 participants and more than 500 events focusing on the main political, economic and social challenges. 'The Architecture of the New Order - Stability in Times of Change' is the theme of the 2026 edition, organised by the Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies in collaboration with the Office of the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The proceedings will focus on geopolitical tensions, from the war in Ukraine to the conflicts in the Middle East, and the search for new tools to ensure security and stability. "Cooperation and security structures, such as NATO and the European Union, are taking on an increasingly important role," emphasises the Institute's director, Zygmunt Berdychowski, who believes that stability requires flexible institutions, dialogue and the capacity for a collective response to global crises. The programme ranges from international politics to security, from the economy to artificial intelligence, from cyber security to healthcare, right through to sustainable development and regional issues. The programme includes panel discussions, round-table discussions, meetings with authors, workshops, press conferences and gala events for the presentation of awards to the personality, company and non-governmental organisation of the year. There was a significant Italian presence, with around thirty representatives taking part in the proceedings. Today's programme included a debate on the future of European cohesion policy with Andrea Gallo, director of Fasi.eu, and a panel discussion on new air links between Turin and Poland, featuring Alessandro Saglio of Confindustria Polonia, Patrizia Paglia of Confindustria Piemonte and German Carboni of the Italian Embassy in Warsaw. A discussion on sports sponsorship is also scheduled, featuring Marta Carissimi, head of women's football at Genoa. Tomorrow, Italian speakers will include the Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office, Francesco Tufarelli, on the reform of the EU administration; researchers Albertina Nania and Vincenzo Di Dato on hybrid threats; as well as the CEO of Consap, Alessandro Moricca, and the project manager of the Venice Sustainability Foundation, Damiano De Marchi, on the relationship between climate risk and tourism. On Thursday, the focus will be on Polish nuclear energy with Elisabetta Caprino, Director-General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Poland, and on the relationship between history and European identity with Matteo Ogliari, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Kraków. (ANSA).