International Scientific Conference on Economic Security and Global Digitalization: Poland-Ukraine-Slovakia

On 12 June 2026, I took part in the 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference “Economic Security and Financial Investigations in the Context of Global Digitalization: Prospects and Risks.”

The conference brought together researchers, practitioners and representatives of institutions from Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia to discuss contemporary challenges related to economic security, financial investigations, digital transformation and institutional resilience.

My contribution to the conference was titled:

Urban Networks as an Instrument of Economic Security in the Digital Age: The Role of Cities in Global Security Architecture

The contribution focused on the growing importance of cities and transnational municipal networks in contemporary economic and security governance.

Economic security is traditionally associated with national governments, financial institutions and law-enforcement bodies. However, cities are responsible for transport, public services, digital administration, emergency communication and other systems that are essential during political, military and technological crises.

The study considered how city-to-city cooperation can support:

• continuity of essential municipal services;
• exchange of crisis-management practices;
• institutional resilience;
• cooperation on digital and hybrid threats;
• humanitarian assistance and post-war reconstruction.

The experience of Ukraine demonstrates that municipal partnerships can perform functions extending beyond conventional international cooperation. Direct links between cities can facilitate practical assistance, knowledge transfer and institutional support at times when local authorities face exceptional pressure.

Urban networks can therefore be understood as an additional operational component of the wider security architecture. They do not replace national institutions, but strengthen the capacity of cities and local communities to respond to cross-border risks and maintain essential services.

This contribution forms part of my broader research on the international political agency of cities, municipal cooperation and the role of local governments in Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction.