Opening Session: The Age of Economic Statecraft
This opening session will explore how global power dynamics and intensifying geopolitical competition and technological disruption are reshaping the international economic order. A keynote intervention by Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, will kick off the Forum, followed by a panel featuring international policymakers, business leaders, and leading experts in economic strategy. The session will examine whether ‘de-risking’ of the global economy remains a viable project and how countries can navigate between resilience, rivalry, and cooperation. This conversation will lay the foundation for the Forum’s upcoming panels.

Second Session: Securing Foundations of Growth – Technology as the Driver of Geopolitics
Global competition over technological leadership is intensifying, with major powers racing to dominate frontier fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing while also securing critical enablers like semiconductors and clean technologies. This session will explore how technological innovation and control over strategic supply chains are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Panellists will examine how governments and industry can foster secure and sustainable tech ecosystems, promote international collaboration, and prepare for the risks and opportunities of the next generation of innovation.

Fireside Chat: Preparing for All Contingencies
In today’s volatile geopolitical landscape, Europe must stand prepared both for military threats and economic risks and shocks. This fireside chat will explore what true preparedness means—from whole-of-society approaches and building institutional and economic resilience to protecting critical assets and supply chains—and address the EU’s role in managing future crises, whether sparked by war, pandemics, or economic confrontation. 

Third Session: International Trade – Reinventing the Level Playing Field in the Age of Economic Security
Against the backdrop of today’s unprecedented international policy shifts, involving aggressive trade measures and major risks to the global economy and rules-based order, this session will explore how governments can protect strategic interests without dismantling the global trading system. With a focus on how to uphold open, rules-based trade in a more confrontational world, the panel will feature trade experts, business leaders, and representatives from international economic institutions. Discussion will centre on striking a balance between economic security, technological sovereignty, and the need for predictable, mutually beneficial trade partnerships.

Closing Session: Multipolarity Re-examined – Forging New East-West-South Ties
As global economic fault lines deepen, new alliances are emerging across the East, West, and Global South. Trade wars, extraterritorial policies, and currency rivalries are reshaping the landscape, while countries simultaneously seek to reduce supply chain dependencies and attract high-value investment. This session will examine how international partnerships can be reimagined to deliver on economic security, resilience, and sustainable development. Panellists from a diverse set of regions will explore how the EU and other advanced economies can align their strategic interests with the aspirations of emerging and developing countries in an era of multipolarity.

Confirmed high-level speakers include:

• How EU Enlargement and Neighbouring Countries can Strengthen Europe’s Economic Resilience

• 09:00-10:30 | Roundtable 1: Leading by Example: EU-Japan Partnership for Global Economic Security 

• 09:00-10:30 | Roundtable 2: Relations with China in the Age of Economic Security

• 11:00-12:30 | Roundtable 3: Overcoming Coercion and Coordinating Sanctions in a New Era 

• 11:00-12:30 | Roundtable 4: Securing Critical Infrastructure in an Age of New Threats

Participation in public sessions is open to EPC members, invited guests, EU and international officials, and the media. Roundtable participation is by invitation and subject to confirmation following expression of interest.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Ian Hernandez at [email protected]