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)