#TopUSeconomist - American top-economist and influential thinker Jeremy Rifkin will give a key note address at the European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) annual conference which is to be held for the first time in Dublin on 3 June.

Besides being the author of The Zero Marginal Cost Society: The Internet of Things, the Collaborative Commons, and the Eclipse of Capitalism and the best-selling author of nineteen other books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society, and the environment, Rifkin is advisor to the European Union and to heads of state around the world and is the president of the Foundation on Economic Trends in Washington.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr Rifkin at our conference. This year’s ESPO conference will seek an answer to the central question: Are European ports moving fast enough? With such a conference theme, we are extremely lucky to have Mr Rifkin amongst us in Dublin, setting out his vision. It is without saying an additional reason to attend this 13th edition of the ESPO conference”, says ESPO Secretary General, Isabelle Ryckbost.

The 2016 ESPO Conference will look into ways to improve the efficiency of maritime transport and ports, this from different angles: How to remove the remaining barriers in maritime transport and how to come to a real internal market for maritime transport? How to set the digital agenda for ports? Big data: what is in for European ports? How can ports benefit from new trade agreements? Could Schengen and Brexit be potential game stoppers?