The Three Seas Virtual Summit starts today in Tallinn, Estonia, Monday, October 19, with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid welcoming the presidents of Poland and Bulgaria as they arrive at the Kultuurikatel in the city centre, shortly after midday.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, this year’s Three Seas Summit will be held virtually, and can be viewed online here.

However, President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, whose country was instrumental in getting the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) off the ground, and President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria – formally accepting the baton as next 3SI host nation from the Estonian president on Monday – will both be attending in person.

Other high level attendees include European Vice Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, with the latter tweeting from Tallinn Airport Sunday that it was: “Great to be back in Estonia for the Three Seas Summit.” 

Krach had been in Estonia just under a month ago, where he met with Kersti Kaljulaid and the pair discussed  digital technologies and e-state solutions, as well as the upcoming summit.

The summit will see opening comments from moderator Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at U.K. financial daily The Financial Times, followed by a virtual panel with presidents of the participating Three Seas nations, and then a high-level, moderated discussion with presidents Kaljulaid, Duda and Radev, vice commissioner Vestager, and U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes.

Panel discussions on smart money and the 3SI investment fund and a fireside chat with Keith Krach and Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rein Tammsaar will follow.

A forum on Smart Connectivity, something of a watchword for Estonia’s stint as 3SI host this year as the country brings all its digital know-how to bear on building efficient, environmentally friendly transport and other infrastructure links across the region, is also to take place.

The Tallinn Three Seas Virtual Summit agenda, replete with timings, topics and speakers can be found here. All times are local Estonian time (GMT +3) and any alterations to the agenda will be updated immediately.

The summit itself can be viewed live here, starting at 14.15 p.m. local time on Monday.