Programme of the Conference organised by Statistics Poland and ASECU
From Data to Impact: Turning Lessons into Action for Sustainable Future
Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Warsaw
Registration and Reception
Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Marek Cierpiał-Wolan – President of Statistics Poland
- Grigoris Zarotiadis – President of the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU)
Keynote Speech (online)
Jeffrey Sachs – President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN); Professor at Columbia University
Session 1 – Beyond 2030: what will it take to deliver real change?
A forward-looking reflection on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda: what has worked, where the greatest gaps remain, and how the international community should build on these experiences. The introduction will also outline emerging global discussions on Beyond GDP, the evolving understanding of progress and well-being, and the growing importance of evidence-informed policymaking in shaping the post-2030 development framework.
Setting the Scene
Statistics Poland
Panel discussion:
How can we build on the lessons of the 2030 Agenda to create a more effective and resilient framework for sustainable development beyond 2030?
Moderator: Renata Bielak – Vice-President of Statistics Poland
Panelists:
- Marta Grzybowska – Knowledge Manager, UN Global Compact Network Poland
- Joanna Lalak – Deputy Director, Department of Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland
- Bolesław Rok – Professor, Kozminski University, Poland
- Agnes Tassy – Koordinator for Verdensmålene, National focal point for the SDG, Danmarks Statistik
Q&A session
Coffee break
Session 2 - Sustainable development in practice: context-specific priorities and challenges
An overview of how global goals are translated into regional and national priorities, as well as into practical policymaking. Drawing on Poland's experience while reflecting broader international trends, the introduction will highlight key development challenges, strategic priorities and the role of evidence in designing, implementing and evaluating public policies. It will also set the stage for a discussion on the challenges that the European Union and individual countries increasingly face in common, and the value of learning from one another.
Setting the Scene
Marta Ostrowska-Chałupa – Deputy Director of Department of Sustainable Economy, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Poland
Panel discussion:
How can regions and countries translate global goals into context-specific priorities while addressing shared development challenges and delivering tangible results for citizens?
Moderator: Marta Wierzbowska – Knowledge Management Manager, CSR Consulting, Poland
Panelists:
- Maria Andrzejewska – Director General, UNEP/GRID—Warsaw Centre, Poland
- Marta Ostrowska-Chałupa – Deputy Director of Department of Sustainable Economy, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Poland
- Monika Gorzelak – Consultant in Statistics Poland
- Remko Vincent Hijman – Editor in Chief of the EU SDG Monitoring Report, Eurostat
- Michał Mikołajczyk – Director of Sales and External Relations, Rekopol Packaging Waste Recovery Organisation S.A.; Representative of the Polish Red Cross
Q&A session
Networking Lunch
Session 3 - Knowledge, partnership and financing sustainable development
An academic perspective on the future of sustainable development. The introduction will explore how universities can strengthen their role as partners in generating knowledge, fostering innovation, educating future leaders and supporting evidence-informed decision-making. It will also address the importance of international academic cooperation and sustainable financing for research and capacity building.
Setting the Scene
Grigoris Zarotiadis – President of the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU)
Panel discussion:
How can universities, research institutions and strategic partnerships help accelerate implementation of global goals by 2030 and shape the next generation of sustainable development agendas?
Moderator: Olga Świerkot-Strużewska - Director, International Relations and Statistical Cooperation Department, Statistics Poland
Panelists:
- Agnieszka Chłoń-Domińczak – Professor, Vice Rector for Research and Director of the Institute of Statistics and Demography at SGH Warsaw School of Economics
- Leonid Nakov – Professor, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Vice-President of the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU)
- Bogdan Wierzbiński – Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszów
- Mariola Zalewska – PhD, University of Warsaw, Poland
- Grigoris Zarotiadis – Professor, President of the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU)
Q&A session
Closing remarks
- Marek Cierpiał-Wolan – President of Statistics Poland
- Grigoris Zarotiadis – President of the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU)
