Welcoming Remarks by Governor Mihály Varga

We are living in a period defined by profound structural transformation. As global economic and political structures evolve amid heightened uncertainty and fragmentation, central banking is undergoing transformation as well. In a rapidly transforming global landscape, central banks must navigate an era shaped not only by monetary policy and financial challenges, but also by deep structural shifts. This dynamic environment challenges monetary authorities to maintain price and financial stability while adapting themselves to broader structural changes such as rapid technological advancements, sustainability imperatives, and intensifying geopolitical and digital vulnerabilities that influence both economic growth and resilience.

Grappling with these complex forces cannot simply be reduced to incremental adjustments. It requires openness to innovative approaches and sustained cross-border dialogue. This conviction has led the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary to launch the Budapest Financial Summit – a new international conference series created to bring together leading financial, economic, and policy stakeholders from diverse institutional and regional backgrounds for in-depth exchange of perspectives, experiences, and best practices on the challenges and opportunities defining the global financial landscape.

At a time when decoupling tendencies increase in the global economy, the Budapest Financial Summit is anchored in promoting the value of cooperation.  Convened in Budapest, a capital in the centre of Europe, the Summit aims to serve as a bridge for structured exchange between Western and Eastern economic and financial perspectives.

I sincerely hope that this new conference series will foster substantive dialogue, generate new insights, and encourage enduring professional partnerships. The Magyar Nemzeti Bank remains firmly committed to constructive international engagement, and I am certain that the Budapest Financial Summit will become a valuable contribution to this shared endeavour.