Under the theme "Together for recovery", the opening session will be the first high-level debate of the week, focusing on the transition from emergency to sustainable recovery. The opening session will run as a TV show with several VIP panelists, including European Committee of the Regions President Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira and European Parliament President David Sassoli. Other contributions will be given by:
- CoR members:
- Vasco Alves Cordeiro , First Vice President of the European Committee of the Regions, member of CoR delegation at the Conference on the Future of Europe
- Nathalie Sarrabezolles, Councillor in the Finistère Department Council
- Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region
- Kieran McCarthy, Councillor Cork City Council
- Juraj DROBA, President of Bratislava Region
- Jeannette Baljeu, Member of the Council of the Province of Zuid-Holland responsible for the Port of Rotterdam, Industry and EU affairs
- Una Power, County Councillor for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
- MEP: Younous Omarjee, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development
- Youth Organisation representatives:
- Niamh Mc Govern, Editor in chief, European Youth Event (EYE)
- Silja Markkula, President, European Youth Forum
- Daniele Terzariol, Deputy mayor of San Donà di Piave, Young Elected Politician (YEP)