The programme of the plenary session is being continuously updated. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme.
17 September 2026 (Thursday), Comenius University Hall
9.00 – 13.00
The central theme of the plenary session:
"Sustainability of Business Activity in the EU in the Context of Environmental Protection"
9.00 – 9.30 – Opening Remarks
Thematic Panel Discussions:
Panel Discussion I
Planet First: The Environment at the Center of Attention
9.30 – 10.30
This panel discussion will address the pressing challenges of environmental protection in the context of ongoing environmental change. Particular attention will be given to issues related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, as well as their broader implications for society and public policy. The discussion will explore the role of law, scientific knowledge, and international cooperation in safeguarding the environment and addressing complex environmental challenges. Panelists will examine strategies and policy approaches aimed at preserving natural resources and promoting long-term environmental sustainability for future generations.
Panel Discussion II
The Green Cost of Business: When Regulations Change the Rules of the Game
10.45 – 11.45
This panel discussion will examine the impact of environmental regulations on the business environment, both in Slovakia and in the international context. The debate will focus on the challenge of balancing environmental protection with the need to maintain business competitiveness, as well as on the practical implications of new regulatory frameworks for companies. Particular attention will be given to the implementation of ESG principles, emissions limits, and other European Union legislative measures that influence business operations in today’s economic landscape. The discussion will provide insights into how companies can adapt to evolving regulatory requirements while remaining resilient and competitive in a rapidly changing market environment.
Roman Karlubík
Roman Karlubík is a long-standing representative of the Slovak chemical and pharmaceutical industry, with extensive experience in the management of industrial and research and development companies. Since 2004, he has served as President of the Association of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry of the Slovak Republic, while also holding the position of Vice President for International Relations and Environmental Affairs at the Association of Employers’ Associations and Unions of the Slovak Republic (AZZZ SR). In his professional activities, he focuses primarily on social dialogue, legislation, the regulation of the business environment, and representing the interests of Slovak industry at both the national and European levels.
Mr. Karlubík also has extensive experience in the field of research and development. Since 2012, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of VÚP, a.s. (Petrochemical Research Institute), where he is responsible, among other things, for the company's strategic management and research and development projects. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in several major chemical companies and has also served in various international institutions and organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC).
He is a graduate of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, where he specialized in Macromolecular Chemistry. He also holds an MBA degree from IMADEC University.
Adelina Dabu
Adelina Dabu is a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and Director of European and International Affairs at the Concordia Employers' Confederation in Romania where she coordinates the representation with European and international institutions and partner organizations, is the permanent delegate to BUSINESSEUROPE and liaison for BIAC and IOE. She is member of the Management Board of Eurofound on behalf of Romanian employers.
Adelina ensures Concordia's representation in external relations and covers all thematic areas, with in-depth expertise being social dialogue and labor markets, circular economy and sustainability and digitalization. Adelina has over 14 years of experience in the field of public policy, stakeholder management, and political risk, in the energy industry and FMCG at national and international level.
She is member of the Board of Short Food Supply Chain Association, and member of the Circular Economy Coalition in Romania.
Adelina studied political science, economics, European affairs and anthropology in Bucharest and Bologna and is also trained in circular economy and systems thinking. She was a facilitator, mentor and trainer for multiple projects aiming to develop human-centered and sustainable solutions to address climate-related societal challenges.
Panel Discussion III
A World Governed by Regulations: How Global Regulatory Frameworks Shape Business
12.00 – 13.00
This international panel discussion will explore the impact of environmental regulatory frameworks on the global business environment. Through a comparative analysis of the approaches adopted by the European Union, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China, the discussion will examine how different regulatory strategies influence corporate competitiveness, international trade, and the investment climate. The panel will offer a broader perspective on current trends in environmental regulation and their implications for businesses operating in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relevance of these developments for Slovak companies competing in international markets and navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
Peter Stano
Peter Stano comes from Martin, Slovakia. He graduated from the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava with a degree in Journalism.
From 1994 to 2009, he worked in the media sector (Slovak Radio in Bratislava, Deutsche Welle in Cologne, BBC World Service in London, and Slovak Television in Bratislava) ako zahranično-politický redaktor a moderátor, ako novinár na voľnej nohe pôsobil v roku 2008 v sýrskom Damasku.
Since 2009, he has been active in diplomacy and public service. He joined the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, where he served as the Minister’s Spokesperson during two terms of office and later as the Special Envoy for Migration. He was posted to the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the European Union in Brussels and to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Beirut, with responsibilities covering Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Peter Stano has worked twice at the European Commission as the first and, to date, the only Slovak citizen to serve as a Commission spokesperson. He first held the position of Spokesperson for Enlargement and the European Neighbourhood Policy from 2011 to 2014, and later served as Lead Spokesperson for the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy from 2019 to 2024.
He is fluent in German, English, Spanish, French, and Croatian, and is also conversational in Russian and Arabic.
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – Discussions in Professional Sections
18.00 – Gala Reception at Hotel Devín
(Street: Riečna 4, 811 02 Bratislava)
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