Economy Minister ensures government remains committed to holding web summit

On Tuesday, the Economy Ministry assured that the government remains “committed” to holding the web summit, adding that contacts established with the event’s various partners show that conditions are in place for it to proceed smoothly.

“The government therefore remains committed to holding the event in this and future editions and will do everything to ensure that the initiative goes as planned,” the Ministry of Economy and the Sea said in a statement on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as several companies announced they were canceling their participation in the technology summit, which is taking place in Lisbon, following statements by Web Summit leader Paddy Cosgrave about the conflict in the Gaza Strip, who has since resigned from his position. .

The ministry, led by António Costa Silva, says last week it began “a series of steps with the various ‘stakeholders’ of the event to assess the situation and ensure that the necessary conditions continue to exist” for the 2023 edition.

The information gathered so far from these contacts, according to the same information, “gives assurance to the government that the web summit, which is of great importance for the country, can proceed smoothly.”

Highlighting the “strong impact” that the event has on the local economy, the Ministry of Economy emphasizes that the Web Summit “today plays a fundamental role in the context of innovation and technological development in the country, as well as in the corresponding digital transformation of the economy.” Portuguese Economy”.

“This edition, like all others, will be dedicated to the universe of “startups”, for whom the event will provide unique opportunities for development and training,” the statement said.

The web summit will take place in Lisbon from November 13 to 16, with 2,600 startups and approximately 70,000 participants expected to attend.

In addition to guaranteeing the government’s continued commitment to the event in this and future editions, the statement ensures that the executive will “do everything to ensure that the initiative goes as planned, particularly in mobilizing ‘start-ups’.” .

Following the news of Paddy Cosgrave’s departure, organizers announced that a new CEO (Executive President) would be appointed as soon as possible and the event would go ahead as planned.

Announcing his resignation, Paddy Cosgrave said: “Unfortunately, my personal comments distracted from the event” and apologized “sincerely for any harm I may have caused.”

Paddy Cosgrave wrote a post on social network X (formerly Twitter) on October 13 that has attracted several criticisms.

“I am impressed that the rhetoric and actions of many Western leaders and governments, with the particular exception of the Irish government, are doing the right thing this time. War crimes are still war crimes, even if committed by allies, and they should be condemned for what they are,” Paddy Cosgrave said at the time, referring to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Among the companies that announced cancellations are Amazon, Meta, Google, Intel, Siemens and Israeli investors.

Meanwhile, Web Summit said it would have “more than 300 partners,” some of whom considered participating “and have reversed their decision,” an official source told Lusa on Monday, without naming names.