CEO Summit 2025 Addresses Sweden's Competitiveness Challenges

The inaugural CEO Summit 2025, held at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, has attracted over 130 influential business and political leaders to discuss Sweden's waning global competitiveness. Prominent speakers, including Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, placed a spotlight on the urgent need for long-term strategies to restore Sweden’s economic leadership, as outlined in a recent McKinsey report.

The report warns that Sweden has significantly lost momentum over the last decade, with concerns of falling behind in global wealth rankings—a stark contrast to its previously strong position relative to the EU and the US. "We currently lack a long-term vision," noted Sebastian Sjögren, McKinsey's managing partner in Sweden, emphasizing that many top executives took the time to engage in this critical dialogue despite their packed schedules. He expressed hope that the summit would foster direction and mobilization among business and government leaders beyond political cycles.

Panel discussions centered on promoting innovation, education, and collaboration within business and government sectors as vital to reversing current economic trends. The atmosphere was noted as positive, with many leaders recognizing the summit as a pivotal forum for reenergizing efforts toward securing a prosperous future for Sweden.