“We must open our minds, think globally, and act locally—just as Zukunftstag brings us together here today and unites us across borders. Styria has a strong industrial backbone, a robust small and medium-sized business sector, a thriving skilled trades sector, an excellent training landscape, and top-tier research, all of which are actively supported by the state’s entrepreneurs, as evidenced by our all-time high research quota of 5.31%. We can be proud of this, and it only works when business and science pull together. Today, we are once again consciously looking ahead and reflecting on our roots and strengths: creativity, inventiveness, and diligence. Then we face reality and work toward solutions with a positive attitude,” said Provincial Minister of Economic Affairs Willibald Ehrenhöfer in his opening remarks.

New World Order and Trans-European Cooperation

In his keynote address this morning, Robert-Jan Smits discussed the dawn of a new world and economic order. “The world is no longer a village.” The old rules of international cooperation no longer apply, as the U.S., Russia, and China, among others, have clearly demonstrated. “In the future, cooperation will be based on shared values,” explained the former EU Director of Research, who is responsible for the content of large parts of the multi-billion-euro Horizon research programs. Europe’s regions must massively expand their existing innovation ecosystems and network with one another across Europe.

“A competitive business location is the result of a strong innovation hub. As the federal government, we are placing a deliberate focus within our industrial strategy on key technologies that offer the highest growth potential for our country. Styria plays a decisive role in this. Not only because it is one of the most important provinces when it comes to innovation, but also because it is a prime example of how politics, science, and business are pulling together. A collaboration that will be further intensified across provincial borders with the opening of the Koralm Tunnel in mid-December—for the benefit of the region and its people,” emphasized Innovation Minister Peter Hanke.

The combination that makes the difference

“Innovation alone doesn’t win the race. It needs to be combined with competitiveness and smart regulation that focuses on excellence and output,” noted Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon, during the panel discussion.

In the afternoon keynote, General Robert Brieger, until recently Chairman of the EU Military Committee, spoke about new hybrid threats, necessary military investments in security, and Austria’s role in a common European defense policy.