On the occasion of commemorating the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Visegrad Group (Visegrad Four), Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary organizes the V4 Central Bank Governors Conference on 15th July 2021 with the theme “Gradual Transition into a Greener Economy – Challenges and Opportunities”.
The COVID-19 pandemic has become the central element of the global agenda, and it is undoubtedly the most pressing issue worldwide. Central banks took swift and sizeable measures during the past year to support economies in adapting to the new normal and to promote the recovery. In addition, central banks face another great challenge, namely climate change, which significantly affects both the macroeconomic trends and the financial system. Economic growth has brought along deterioration in global climate conditions which threatens prosperity. Policy makers have realized that promoting the transition towards a green economy cannot only facilitate addressing the challenges of climate change, but through the appropriate policy actions it can also pave the way to a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.
The changes that the world is facing right now are triggered by unpleasant factors, but these difficult times remind us to re-evaluate our decisions and policies, and work for a better future.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED ON 15th JULY 2021
“Gradual Transition into a Greener Economy – Challenges and Opportunities”
AGENDA
9:00-9:50 High-level opening ceremony
Welcome speech
9.00 György Matolcsy, Governor of Magyar Nemzeti Bank
Governors’ keynote speeches
9.20 Jiří Rusnok, Governor of Česká národní banka
9.30 Peter Kažimír, Governor of Národná banka Slovenska
9.40 Marta Kightley, Vice President and First Deputy President of Narodowy Bank Polski
9.50 Coffee break
10:00-10:50 Panel discussion 1 – Role of the central banks in combating climate change
Climate change poses enormous challenges to central banks worldwide by significantly affecting both the macroeconomic trends and the financial system. The need to play a more active role in combating climate change has been recently communicated by central banks. The most topical questions will be answered during the session: do central banks need to be involved in climate policy? What instruments can central banks fight with against climate change?
Cezary Kochalski, Member of the Monetary Policy Council, Narodowy Bank Polski
Dr. Csaba Kandrács, Deputy Governor, Magyar Nemzeti Bank
Marek Mora, Deputy Governor, Česká národní banka
Ľudovít Ódor, Deputy Governor, Národná banka Slovenska
Moderator: Daniel Palotai, Executive Director, IMF, Vice President of the Hungarian Economic Association
10.50 Coffee break
11:00-11:50 Panel discussion 2 – Green renewal after COVID-19
COVID-19 pandemic caused severe damages in the economy but at the same time provided also an opportunity for a green renewal. During the recovery from the crisis, green investments and their financial supports remain top social priorities for which incentives of green investments, development of a unified taxonomy for investments and involving the private sector are necessary.
Artur Bobovnický, Director of Innovations and International Cooperation, Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency
Zdeněk Čech, Head of Economic Analyses Section, European Commission Representation in Slovakia
Krzysztof Senger, Managing Director International Business & Relations, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego
Attila Steiner, State Secretary for the Development of Circular Economy, Energy and Climate Policy, Ministry for Innovation and Technology, Hungary
Moderator: György Barcza, Board Alternate Director, EBRD, Honorary President of the Public Finance Section of the Hungarian Economic Association
11:50 Closing remarks
Dr. Mihály Patai, Deputy Governor, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, Vice President of the Hungarian Economic Association
E-mail: visegrad@mnb.hu