The Brussels Economic Security Forum (BESF) is a newly established European and international platform and research project dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities of economic security. In response to unprecedented and increasingly unpredictable global dynamics and policy shifts — driven by systemic shocks, geopolitical competition and technological disruptions — economic security has emerged as a key policy priority. Recognising this, the European Union has introduced its economic security strategy, initiated the development of an economic security doctrine, and placed economic security at the forefront of its latest political guidelines. 

Our Mission

The BESF aims to serve as a high-level research platform for conceptualising ways to salvage international economic collaboration and open trade while ensuring countries can properly safeguard their economic security and address new security challenges. The Forum explores key issues such as the evolving role of economic statecraft, trade and security policy, the geopolitics of technology, and East-West-South economic relations in a rapidly shifting global order. 

At its core, the Forum builds on the European Policy Centre’s (EPC) Economic Security Project, which has played a pivotal role in defining economic security as a central tenet of EU policy. Over the past years, the EPC has led the debate on this crucial topic, most notably by hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her seminal speech on EU-China relations in March 2023. 

BESF Summit 2025 - Two Days, Two Formats

As a yearly highlight, the BESF will convene a summit bringing leading European and international policymakers, representatives of business and experts together to work on tangible steps needed to build a global system of reduced risks and vulnerabilities. The BESF’s inaugural summit will take place in Brussels on 5 & 6 June 2025. 

• Day 1 (June 5) – The opening day of the Forum will be structured around four high-level sessions focusing on the evolving role of economic statecraft, trade and level playing field policies, the geopolitics of technology, and new East-West-South economic ties, as well as a fireside chat looking at the requirements of readying for all contingencies. 

• Day 2 (June 6) – The Forum will transition to by invitation-only roundtables, offering a closed-door setting for in-depth strategic discussions on critical economic security issues, alongside one open session for broader engagement on needed partnerships.

A 360° approach to Economic Security

Beyond the annual summit, the BESF is a yearlong initiative aimed at mainstreaming economic security across EU policymaking, governance structures, and budget priorities. Throughout 2025 and beyond, we will engage with EU institutions, national governments, and international partners to support the development of the EU’s economic security doctrine, ensuring a systematic and forward-looking policy response to geopolitical shifts and economic vulnerabilities. 

Through expert roundtables, policy papers, and high-level consultations, BESF will focus on strategic investment, supply chain resilience, technology security, and industrial competitiveness. The EPC’s ‘Economic Security Matrix’ provides a structured framework for assessing Preparedness, Promotion, Protection, and Partnerships — ensuring that economic security not only mitigates risks but also enhances Europe’s long-term economic dynamism. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Shaping the EU’s economic security doctrine in collaboration with policymakers. 

• Integrating economic security into EU decision-making and budgetary frameworks, particularly within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

• Advancing industrial, technological, and energy resilience, with dedicated research and policy initiatives on AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, life sciences, and clean tech. 

• By embedding economic security into both strategic vision and concrete policy action, the BESF is a sustained policy effort shaping Europe’s response to an evolving global order.