H.M. Kongens tale ved konferencen "Powering European Industry" den 29. oktober 2024

As a young man, I lived in these army barracks here in Sønderborg during my first years of climbing the military command chain. In those years energy came from within.

Now, while we aren’t climbing the command chain today, we do find ourselves in a situation where energy security is at stake, where demand exceeds production, and where the climate crisis demands our urgent attention.

We are facing what the partners behind this conference have aptly called the twin challenges of European competitiveness, and the clean energy transition. We want to keep moving forward without trampling the planet in the process. It’s a complex challenge, but it is not a dilemma.

A dilemma, as you know, refers to a situation, where one must make a difficult choice between two equal options – an “either-or”. The twin challenges we face today are not that. We must – and can – address both at the same time. It won’t be easy, but it is achievable.

We find ourselves at a critical juncture, with multiple crises unfolding. The war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, energy security issues, and the climate challenges are pressing. This is not an exercise. This is real.

Our collective response is a vision: to turn the global green transition into a competitive advantage.

Achieving this will require innovation and collaboration on a scale we have never seen before. We need to engage our brightest minds, our strongest hands, and our most ambitious business and political leaders. We need to learn from some of the best examples, some of which are very close by.

My hope is that Sønderborg – and Denmark – can serve as an inspiring example of a business case that is both sustainable and profitable.

Bringing policymakers, organizations, and thought leaders together with European industry here today is an important step in the right direction and a proof of the collective willingness to confront and solve the challenges together. 

I am confident that we can build a more sustainable, resilient, and stronger Europe. A Europe that not only meets today’s challenges but also paves the way for a brighter future for generations to come.

I wish you all a productive and successful day. 

Thank you.

(Det talte ord gælder)