Greetings from Dr. Zsolt Kutnyánszky
State Secretary for Defence Strategy and Human Resources Policy at the Hungarian Ministry of Defence
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 6th International Conference on Central European Critical Infrastructure Protection. I am glad to say that from its beginning in 2019, the history of this Conference connects with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, for the role of patron has always been taken by a State Secretary of the Ministry. Therefore, I was honoured when I received the request this year. Not just because it is an honourable tradition, but also the motto of this year’s conference “Water as a cardinal area of critical infrastructure protection.” this was a very actual issue in the life of the Hungarian Defence Forces in the last months.
But before that, I would like to share a few of my insights regarding the importance of this Conference. It serves as a platform where our Central European region is at the centre of attention. Even if the region’s countries have different points of view on certain topics, our main goal must be common: we wisely have to manage our opportunities in order that Central European people and societies can live in wealth and safety and not at the mercy of natural and other hostile forces.
Furthermore, the Conference provides us with the possibility to strengthen and broaden our relations both at national and international levels. It gives us a chance to get to know the participant’s academic results. Finally, as the patron of this event and as State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, I am glad that our host, the Óbuda University’s Defence Industry Engineering course, attracts more and more students yearly.
Let me cite the esteemed British biologist and natural historian David Attenborough. He said that “the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have, and we need to defend it.”
The question of safety is a basic necessity for our society. Part of this safety is the defence of our critical infrastructure, as shown by how this whole Conference is dedicated to this matter. Water is indispensable for every organism, and it is also necessary to water our lands and grow our crops. But within this year alone, we all experienced its power, first the lack of it in the form of a long drought in the south of Hungary, then its immense power in the form of a raging flood.
As you know, the Hungarian Defence Forces’ primary task is the armed protection of our country, but they have many other duties beyond that, through which they can serve our country during peacetime as well. A prime example of this is when water takes over the land, disappears, or becomes undrinkable.
For example, since 2014, for many years on, the Hungarian Defence Forces ensured safe and drinkable water for numerous settlements throughout the south of Hungary because the nitrate content of their water supply was beyond the EU limits.
As you may all know, this fall, our soldiers made their stand against the flowing Danube, which was the biggest flood of the last decade. Although, even at its peak, it didn’t reach the same heights as in 2013, it still meant a serious challenge for the experts responsible for the defence efforts.
With the guidance of the General Directorate of Water Management, the Hungarian Defence Forces participated in great numbers and commissioned, enlisted and territorial defence troops alike.
They built temporary barricades, heightened the banks, and, if needed, covered them in foil in order to protect them from seeping water. As a truly outstanding effort, they filled more than a hundred thousand bags with sand. During the night-time, they patrolled the endangered river sections.
Besides that, the Hungarian Defence Forces also aided the defence efforts with hundreds of land equipment and numerous helicopters and helped transport and rescue citizens. And most importantly, they even stayed after the flood had receded and helped with the cleaning efforts.
I can proudly say our joint efforts against the flooding have shown us that the slogan of our recruitment campaign is not just a hollow sentence, but the truth: Szeretem, megvédem! in English: Love it, protect it!
I am also proud to say that our skilled experts are ready to provide aid not only in their home country but, when needed, to those who are also in danger and need help beyond our borders. Seven experts from the engineering regiment of Szentes not long ago have arrived back from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they helped with the remediation after the devastating flood and landslide.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unfortunately, there are numerous ongoing armed conflicts throughout the world and, sadly, in our neighbourhood as well. This showed us that peace is not evident, and defence and force development are crucial. Since the programs began in 2016, we have made several achievements in the field of technological development and human resources policy. Of course, there is still a long way to go.
Critical infrastructure is a broad concept that includes water, energy, agricultural economy, health, finance, ICT, defence of public safety, transport, and industry. All of these defences and protections give us huge financial, professional, and moral responsibilities.
The common historical and cultural past, as well as the common development path of the last centuries of continuous cooperation in the Central European region, connect our countries and also show us our common future plans. I hope that researchers in this field will all work jointly in these matters regardless of national borders.
Dear Attendees,
This two-day Conference is a part of the Hungarian Science Festival series of events, which annually starts on the 3rd of November. This date has a special significance in the Hungarian academic life because on this day, count István Széchenyi offered one year’s income from his estates to establish the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. One of the most generous offers made toward the Hungarian scientific life.
Széchenyi emphasised that “a person is only worth as much as he benefits his fellow men, his country, and thus the whole of humanity”.
In conclusion, I wish to follow the words of Széchenyi and use the power of knowledge for the prosperity and security of Central Europe.
Thank you for the work of the organisers and the activity of the participants, and I hope you have a successful conference!
