15 October 2021, Budapest – Today the annual conference of the International Competition Network (ICN), which brings together competition authorities from around the world, has ended. The online conference was hosted by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH). In addition to a significant international interest, the event brought to the fore several topics that shape our future.

The annual conference of ICN, the virtual network of competition agencies worldwide, which was hosted this year by the GVH has ended. The online event attracted massive interest: 1,767 competition law experts from about 130 countries registered to participate. During the three-day conference, with the help of more than 100 speakers, competition authorities’ staff, non-governmental advisors (NGAs), foreign and national press could follow the latest developments of competition policy and law enforcement.

Mr Csaba Balázs RIGÓ, President of the GVH presented the results of the path-breaking international survey conducted by the GVH on the topic of sustainable development and competition law. Participants at the plenary discussion shared the opinion that competition agencies can play an important role keeping long-term economic growth within a proper and fair competition framework without exploiting natural resources.

Over the three days of the conference, significant findings were demonstrated in the context of competition law enforcement at the intersection of competition, consumer protection and privacy. While competition and data protection are separate areas, handling these areas isolated can be detrimental, therefore exploiting synergies can contribute to a more effective enforcement. A closer cooperation among competition, consumer protection and data protection authorities is crucial in addressing potential future problems in relation to the digital economy.

The ICN that is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its foundation this year also dedicated a panel discussion to possible directions and ways forward with regard to international cooperation. Representatives of the authorities emphasised that it is essential to review existing structures and approaches of the framework of cooperation from time-to-time to ensure that the members-driven network fulfils and advances its mission.

“In terms of both the number of participants and the feedback, it is safe to say that we have a successful conference behind us. It was an honour for the Hungarian national competition authority to organise and host the annual conference of competition agencies and at the same time a great opportunity to promote Hungary’s cultural and national treasures. I would like to express special thanks to the Government of Hungary for enabling us to organise the conference by providing the necessary financial resources- said Csaba Balázs Rigó, President of the GVH, the host of the conference.

GVH Press Office

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