Do we have the potential to create one of the strongest, most innovative regions in Europe, which will be competitive in the context of sustainable development, green energy sources, new global players and an increasing quality of life for its inhabitants? This was one of the topics discussed on February 12 at the University of Gdańsk by leaders gathered around the idea of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area.

Pomerania is currently facing a historic opportunity for rapid social and economic development in the face of the beginning of an energy transformation on an unprecedented scale and the accumulation of innovative business capital. The strategic role of the ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia and related maritime economy entities is also growing. The consolidated role of Tri-City universities, especially The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk, is also becoming increasingly important for the region's development. It is therefore essential to empower this development perspective from the point of view of various Pomeranian stakeholders, so as to build a common agenda of the most important challenges for Pomerania in the broadest possible way.

‘From the very beginning, it was obvious to us that the cooperation of local governments has its limitations and is not one hundred percent sufficient,’ said Michał Glaser, President of the Board of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area. ‘It is obvious that the Metropolis also includes universities, business and innovation - we have already developed this position during the first six months of our initiative.'

At the invitation of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, the opportunities and challenges of the region were discussed in the presence of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, the Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz, the Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the Mayor of Gdynia Aleksandra Kosiorek, the Mayor of Sopot Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, the Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk Prof. Michał Markuszewski and representatives of the Metropolia Think Tank: President of the Metropolitan Area Michał Glaeser, President of the Gdańsk Agency for Economic Development Paweł Orłowski, President of the Management Board of Energa S.A. Sławomir Staszak and Vice-President of the Management Board of LPP Sławomir Łoboda. Representatives of ports also participated in the preparation of the meeting and the initiative to consolidate the potential of Pomerania, and representatives of many other institutions, both from Pomerania and from all over Poland, will also be invited to the project.

The leaders gathered around the idea of creating a metropolitan area confirmed that the strategic goals facing our region are to make Pomerania:

1. A leader in activities based on knowledge and modern technologies;
2. A European Port of New Ideas;
3. The best place to live, work and study in Poland.

‘It was a very good and refreshing meeting. We are all convinced that it is possible to create a common and agreed agenda to effectively achieve all the strategic goals of Pomerania, and that unanimity on the vision of the future of our truly modern region is crucial,’ said UG Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski after the meeting. ‘I am glad that all the people present, representing various levels of administration and large economic entities, recognise the key and strategic role of Gdańsk universities in this process.’

For the second time this year, the University of Gdańsk has welcomed representatives from various circles of the Pomeranian Metropolis (you can read about the New Year's meeting held in the UG Library here).