Event
22.06.2026
Brussels, Belgium

Security, resilience and competitiveness: Europe’s industrial agenda for a new geopolitical era

Against a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, Europe’s security environment has fundamentally changed. Strengthening Europe’s security and defence capabilities is no longer a standalone objective, but an essential component of its competitiveness, industrial strength and long-term prosperity.

In this context, BusinessEurope recently published its position paper on  "A European Readiness, Preparedness and Defence Strategy", highlighting how investments in security and defence can act as a driver for innovation, industrial scale and economic resilience across Europe. We are now bringing senior policymakers, industry leaders and international partners together to exchange views on how to translate these priorities into concrete action and strengthen Europe’s economic and industrial base.

 

22 June 2026, 14.30-18.30 CET

Moderated by: Danny McCoy, CEO, Ibec

 

14.30-15.00 Check-in
15.00-15.30 Welcome

  • Markus J. Beyrer, Director General, BusinessEurope

Opening address

  • Klaus Holse, President, Danish Industry

Keynote address

  • Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission

Keynote address

  • Marie-Agnes Strack Zimmerman, Member, Chair of the SEDE Committee, European Parliament

 
15.30-16.15 Panel I: Defence and security as drivers of competitiveness

How can Europe leverage security and defence to strengthen its competitiveness by scaling its industrial base and generating wider economic spill-over effects?
16.15-17.00 Panel II: NATO, Industrial Partnerships and international cooperation

How can Europe strengthen its competitiveness and industrial base through deeper cooperation with NATO Allies and global partners?
17.00-18.30 Networking reception

Registration

Deadline for registration: 17 June 2026, cob

Kindly note that due to the limited number of seats, registration does not guarantee participation. Participation is conditional on receiving confirmation by mail.

BUSINESSEUROPE reserves the right to decline registration requests.

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