Advancing Europe’s Ambitions in Defence

The aim of this exclusive side session is to elaborate on the critical importance of the European Union's defence architecture by bringing together minds from both the public and private sectors. Participants will explore the implications of Europe's security threats and the necessity for enhanced collaboration among EU member states to further bolster the EU's industrial potential. In the context of Russia's continued illegal aggression against Ukraine, the new European Commission will need to take important decisions to give credibility and substance to defence-related matters. This includes accelerating decision-making processes, facilitating the increase of investments in defence, and building a strong partnership between the public and private sectors. The session seeks to identify key challenges and obstacles to strengthening the EU's defence infrastructure, capacity, and industrial base, as well as to propose solutions and ways forward.