Web Summit 2020: President von der Leyen and nine College members participate at the world’s largest technology conference

The Commission will be represented at the virtually held Web Summit from 2-4 December, which brings together political, industry and societal leaders to discuss the future of the global tech industry. During this event, which usually takes place in Lisbon, the President and nine Vice-Presidents and Commissioners will highlight key EU policies, focusing on upcoming investments to shape Europe’s Digital future for a transition that puts people first. President Ursula von der Leyen will open the event and deliver a speech on ‘A Europe for everybody’. She will explain how the European Commission will rewrite the digital market rulebook for small start-ups as well as big platforms. Under the name ‘The future of Europe is green’, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will speak about the European Green Deal. Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, will hold a press conference and take part in a conversation on the EU’s digital future. Furthermore, Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, in charge of an Economy that Works for People, will speak on ‘Building a European economy for the people’, which will also be followed by a press conference. Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová will participate in a conversation on ‘Defending democracy in Europe’ and give a press conference on the second day of the event. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel will allow participants an insight in her expertise in the session on ‘Innovating and connecting during a pandemic’, while Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, will speak in the session on ‘Deeper and wider: A European digital economy’ and participate in a press conference. Commissioner Elisa Ferreira, responsible for Cohesion and Reforms, will talk about ‘A more cohesive Europe’, while Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides will be addressing the question ‘Collaboration in a crisis: Is COVID-19 stress testing the EU?’. Finally, Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union will take part in a conversation on ‘Building back up: The economy in 2021′. More information on the Web Summit and its schedule can be found here. The press conferences and discussions with Commissioners will also be broadcast live on EbS.