The Strategic Document Slovakia 2040 Is Being Developed Under the Expert Guidance of the SAS
The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) is acting as the expert guarantor in the preparation of the strategic document Vision for the Development of Slovakia by 2040 – Slovakia 2040. Work on the vision began at the end of 2025 and was officially launched in January 2026 with a professional seminar focused on methodology and process management.
The ambition of the SAS is to develop a long-term, data-driven, and scientifically grounded document that identifies Slovakia's key challenges and opportunities over the next fifteen years and establishes a framework for sustainable development. The primary objective is to enhance quality of life through greater competitiveness and innovation performance, while ensuring social and environmental sustainability.
The process includes two interconnected outputs:
- Vision Slovakia 2040 (by 30 June 2026) – a value-based and strategic framework
- Strategy Slovakia 2040 (by 31 January 2027) – specific priorities, instruments, and measurable indicators
The vision will be based on assessments of quality of life using OECD and UNECE methodologies, scenario analyses of geopolitical, demographic, technological, and climate developments, and an evaluation of the state's real implementation capacities. Experts from the natural, technical, medical, social, and humanities disciplines are involved in its preparation.
The final document will be structured around four pillars:
1. A Successful Slovakia – a high-value-added economy driven by science, research, innovation, and new technologies
2. Quality of Life – health, education, social cohesion, and regional development
3. A Sustainable Country – protection of natural resources, decarbonisation, and energy security
4. A Modern State – efficient and digitally inclusive public administration, effective data governance, and resilient institutions
"The Slovak Academy of Sciences guarantees the project's professional integrity. The Slovakia 2040 document will be independent, non-partisan, and supra-ministerial, with a time horizon extending beyond election cycles. If Slovakia is to become a modern, confident, and prosperous country by 2040, we must base our development on
knowledge, data, and scientific evidence. The SAS stands ready to provide its expertise and institutional capacity to ensure that the Slovakia 2040 Vision is realistic, measurable, and internationally comparable," said Martin Venhart, President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
The vision is being prepared at the initiative of the Government Office of the Slovak Republic, with the SAS serving as the expert coordinator and guarantor. On behalf of the SAS, coordination of the project has been entrusted to Marek Radvanský, the SAS's Vice-President for Economics and Legislation.
"Like every successful country, Slovakia needs a long-term and realistic development compass – one that not only responds to current challenges but also ensures consistent and strategic progress in areas essential to improving the long-term quality of life of its citizens. Our task is to ensure that Vision Slovakia 2040 is grounded in robust data, thorough analysis, and international comparison," added Marek Radvanský.
Prepared by: Jozef Bednár
Illustrative photo: SAS