IIEA Talks

'Mid-Year Economic Outlook' In this edition of IIEA insights, Dan O’Brien will be joined by economist and public servant Robert Watt to discuss the economic outlook for the second half of 2026 and beyond. They will discuss global inflationary pressures in the light of recent energy price volatility, economic headwinds and tailwinds, economic aspects of AI, and geopolitical risks. On the Irish economy, they will examine strengths, weaknesses, and the state of public finances. Robert Watt is the CEO Dublin Regeneration Authority. He previously served as Secretary General of the Department of Health and as Secretary General in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, during which time he was one of the principal advisers to the Government on economic, budgetary and financial policy issues. He has a professional background as an economist and has worked in the private, as well as the public sector

Europe's agricultural transition is stalling. While the destination is clear, many farmers feel excluded from decision-making, uncertain about the expectations placed upon them in the context of Europe's transition to net zero, and disproportionately burdened by the cost of change. Yet, this new research from Project Tempo, which will be launched at this IIEA event, tells a more hopeful story and points to a constructive path forward. Drawing on extensive work across France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland, it finds strong latent support among farmers for reform, provided it is fair and clearly defined. This event will present these findings and explore how policymakers, stakeholders, and farmers can work together to deliver a more inclusive and effective transition.   This research will be presented by Dagmar Droogsma, who leads Project Tempo's first thematic workstream on the transition to sustainable agriculture. She brings over 30 years' experience across government, industry, and civil society, more than two decades of which have been spent at the intersection of climate, environmental, and agricultural policy in the UK, across the EU, and at the UN. The event will be moderated by Tom Arnold, Chair of the Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee.   The presentation will be followed by an expert panel discussion featuring: Dr Pippa Hackett, former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; organic farmer and Manager, Project BASELINE Ian Marshall OBE, former Senator, Seanad Éireann; Head of Business Development and Policy, CASE, Queen's University Belfast Dr Jeanne Moore, Policy Analyst, National Economic and Social Council (NESC)

As quantum technologies continue to rapidly develop, in this event, Oscar Diez, Deputy Head of Unit for Quantum Technologies at the European Commission, will outline the role of the forthcoming European Quantum Act. Mr Diez will particularly discuss how the EU can support the transition from scientific excellence to industrial capacity, including access to infrastructures, scale-up, skills, supply chains and market uptake. Mr Diez will also reflect on how the Quantum Act and wider Quantum Europe Strategy can play a role in helping to promote Europe’s competitiveness agenda and drive innovation in Europe. About the Speaker: Oscar Diez is the Deputy Head of Unit for Quantum Technologies at the European Commission, where he leads strategic initiatives to position Europe as a global leader in the quantum domain. Mr Diez is also an adjunct professor at IE University in Madrid. With a background in both academia and public sector innovation, he previously served as Head of the Datacentre at the European Medicines Agency in London. Dr. Diez holds a PhD in Computer Science from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and a Master’s in Open eGovernment from Stockholm University.

The Horn of Africa continues to be profoundly marked by political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises. As the war in Sudan continues through its fourth year, longstanding tensions across the region intersect with geopolitical rivalries, against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East, and the increasing relevance of the Red Sea to global trade and European security and economic interests. The EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Dr. Annette Weber, will address these complex dynamics and the prospects for peace, security, and economic development in the Horn, a region at the centre of shifting global alliances. Dr. Annette Weber was appointed as the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa in July 2021. With more than 25 years of experience in the regions, she is a leading expert on the Horn of Africa. She was engaged in mediation in Sudan and Ethiopia as Senior Advisor for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2019-2021). EUSR Weber has also lectured as a Professor of Conflict Studies, International Relations, and African International Relations at various universities in Germany, Austria, and Spain. From 2010-2012, she worked as a consultant in residence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She has published extensively on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea arena. This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.

Ireland’s Energy Insecurity Description Security of energy supplies has always been vital for all economies, at least since the industrial revolution. In an era in which international trade is being weaponised more frequently, Ireland’s high dependence on energy imports is a growing vulnerability. This is, all the more so, in the context of a European security environment which has deteriorated markedly since 2022. In this edition of IIEA Insights, Eamonn O’Reilly will assess this island’s vulnerabilities, current government plans to address them, and what he thinks should be done to enhance energy security. Eamonn O’Reilly is Chair of the Energy & Climate Action Committee of the Irish Academy of Engineering. He is an engineer by profession and has worked on power plant projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Congo. Among other previous roles, he was Chief Executive of Dublin Port for 12 years until 2022, during which time he brought a programme of major port development projects from concept, through consenting, finance, and on to completion.

Neale Richmond is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, and as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, and the Department of Social Protection. Before this, he was elected as a TD for Dublin Rathdown in the 2020 General Election. In April 2016, he was elected to Seanad Éireann, on the Labour Panel, where he was the Fine Gael Spokesperson on European Affairs and chair of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. He served for seven years on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and for two years as a member of the EU’s Committee of the Regions, leading the Irish delegation, acting as Rapporteur on the Opinion on a more responsible trade and investment policy.

As Ireland prepares to take on its EU Presidency, beginning in July 2026, this panel will discuss the evolving agenda on EU enlargement. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a renewed accession momentum, this discussion, which brings together perspectives from Dublin and Brussels, will assess the strategic, institutional, and political challenges facing the Union and enlargement. Panellists will consider the nature of enlargement as a strategic priority for the Union, and the delicate balance between deepening and widening the EU. This event has been organised in conjunction with the European Policy Centre Speakers include: Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre; Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute; Barry Colfer, Director of Research at the IIEA

Dr. Alice Edwards is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture — the first woman to hold the mandate in its 40-year history. She has documented human rights violations and advocated for justice, rehabilitation and peace on behalf of victims and survivors in major wars, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Mozambique, Russia-Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Palestine and Israel. Previously, she served as the chief legal adviser at the UN Refugee Agency (2000-2015) and led the inter-governmental Convention against Torture Initiative (2016-2021), supporting states to ratify the Convention and strengthen implementation of international law. In 2024, she was nominated for Australian of the Year.

'China Shock 2.0' In this edition of IIEA Insights, three experts discuss the future direction of EU-China relations. Tensions between Brussels and Beijing are rising as EU exports to China fall, while the volume of Chinese goods entering the EU grows rapidly. Efforts by the EU to address these imbalances – often the result of subsidies given to Chinese firms and the absence of a level-playing field in the Chinese Market for European companies – are being met with aggressive pushback from Beijing. Speakers: Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor in Rhodium Group’s China practice Alicia García Herrero, Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at NATIXIS Declan Kelleher, former Ambassador of Ireland to the People’s Republic of China

In this event, Mr Manuel Mateo Goyet provides an overview of the recently published Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA). The CADA seeks to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness in the cloud and AI ecosystem by boosting Europe’s ecosystem, investment and infrastructure. It aims to ensure that Europe can meet demands for data centre, cloud and computing capacity to meet the needs of businesses and support AI adoption. It particularly promotes the scaling of digital infrastructure by addressing unduly lengthy permitting procedures and barriers to accessing energy, land and financing. Manuel Mateo Goyet is a Head of the Cloud and Software unit at the European Commission, DG Connect. He was previously acting head of unit for two years and a deputy head of unit since 2019. Before that, he served as Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Gabriel on policy areas including copyright, audiovisual, disinformation, high performance computing, digital skills, and eHealth. Manuel Mateo joined the Commission (DG INFSO/CONNECT) in 2006 where he held several positions, including that of Assistant to the Director General, and of deputy Head of Unit dealing with inter-institutional relations.

In his keynote address, Minister Timcho Mucunski reflects on EU enlargement and North Macedonia’s European path at a decisive moment for Europe ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency. He addresses the need for a credible, merit-based accession process and the strategic imperative of integrating the Western Balkans in the EU at a time of geopolitical uncertainty. Timcho Mucunski is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia. He has extensive experience across diplomacy, academia and elected office, including as a university law professor, former Deputy Minister, former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Aerodrom.

Digital policy has emerged as one of the most contentious of policy areas in EU-US relations. Many EU digital policy developments have met with vocal US opposition – including Europe’s pursuit of digital sovereignty, what the US administration perceives as the over-regulation of US firms, the preferencing of European solutions, and EU content moderation rules. Meanwhile in Europe, concerns about perceived threats to European values, democracy, autonomy and competitiveness continue to drive EU digital policy. How Europe and the United States navigate these divergences may carry significant implications for the prosperity, well-being, and security of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. With Ireland’s role as a transatlantic digital hub and with its forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, Dublin will play a leading role in shaping the future of this critical relationship. In this event, Frances Burwell and Kenneth Propp discuss the prospects and challenges for the future of the EU-US digital policy relations. About the Speakers: Frances G. Burwell is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and a senior director at McLarty Associates. Until January 2017, she served as vice president, European Union and Special Initiatives, at the Council. She has served as director of the Council’s Program on Transatlantic Relations, and as interim director of the Global Business and Economics Program, and currently directs the Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative. Kenneth Propp is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. He is also an adjunct professor of European Union Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a senior fellow with the Cross-Border Data Forum. He advises and advocates on data trade, privacy, security, and other regulatory issues in the United States and major international markets.

European integration has driven a wide range of social policy developments in Ireland and across Europe over the past fifty years – including rules relating to equality of opportunity, inclusion, fair working conditions, and social protections. However, since the 1990s, EU activity in the social realm has slowed. Today, the existence of a coherent ‘European social model’ in the enlarged EU has been called into question. Ahead of the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU, this expert panel will consider the current state of Europe’s social policy agenda and identify the main gaps and opportunities in European social policy. The panel assesses the extent to which the EU’s competitiveness agenda relates to, and may be enhanced by, a stronger European social dimension. The panel also explores the role of the European social model in influencing public sentiment towards political institutions and European integration. The panel for this event includes: Esther Lynch, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation Dr Shana Cohen, Executive Director, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) Dr Maria Jepsen, Deputy Director, Eurofound Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, IBEC

Food crises are not anomalies — they are recurring and predictable. COVID-19, Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and now El Niño forming on the horizon: each shock travels the same transmission channels, driving up input costs, and hitting small-scale farmers first and hardest. These farmers produce a third of the world's food, including up to 70% of the food in Africa, and they operate with thin margins. When input costs spike, production falls, and what begins as a price crisis quickly becomes a hunger crisis, then a stability crisis. The question is no longer whether the next shock is coming. It is whether the world will respond after it hits or invest before it does. 100% of IFAD investments are directed toward the poorest and most marginalized people. In 2024, IFAD’s US$7bln ongoing portfolio reached approximately 95 people, with the objective of increasing productivity and incomes, access markets, employment, and building resilience to shocks. IFAD President Alvaro Lario makes the case to increase long-term investment in food system transformation and resilience at the "first mile" — the rural communities where food is produced. He also addresses the EU's role, and how Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency can help turn ambition into delivery. Alvaro Lario is President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD was established in the 1970s in response to a global food crisis. It is the world’s fund for transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. Lario is a seasoned international development finance leader, he has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, the World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD.

Ferit Hoxha is a career diplomat with over 35 years of experience in the foreign service of the Republic of Albania. Since March 2026, he has been serving as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Mr Hoxha has had a distinguished and extensive career in multilateral diplomacy and international relations, representing the Republic of Albania at the highest international levels. He has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2009–2015; 2021–2024), where he led the Albanian delegation during Albania’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2022–2023) and twice held the Presidency of the Security Council. He has also served as Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the European Union (1998–2001; 2024–2026), as well as Ambassador to France (2001–2006). From 2018 to 2021, he served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO. Within the central administration, Mr Hoxha has held the positions of Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006–2009) and Director General for Political and Strategic Affairs (2015–2018). Throughout his career, he has contributed actively to multilateral processes and has held senior roles within international organizations, including Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Vice-President of the UNICEF Executive Board, and chair of key processes within the United Nations Security Council and UNESCO frameworks. Mr Hoxha graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in French Language and Literature. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian. He has been awarded high national and international distinctions, including the rank of “Grand Officer” of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic and “Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy.” This event is part of the Future-Proofing Europe Project, which is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, is responsible for the Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy for stronger partnerships, and sustainable development. With Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency about to begin, this event will explore how Irish businesses, policymakers, and civil society can engage with EU-backed financing while adjusting to ongoing geopolitical shifts and aligning with partnering countries’ priorities. Commissioner Síkela gives an insight on how the EU reacts to global geopolitical changes, how the Global Gateway is implemented in practice, how the EU works to build mutually beneficial partnerships, and what it means for Ireland’s role in shaping the EU’s future external engagement. Commissioner Síkela also addresses the role of the EU as the world’s largest ODA donor, as well as the proposed Global Europe instrument and how it can advance the EU’s engagement globally on international partnerships and development cooperation. Jozef Síkela, is the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, a role he was appointed to in 2024 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A Czech politician and former investment banker, his career experience includes leadership roles in Creditanstalt, Česká spořitelna, and Erste Group. In 2021, he became the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, from where he led the EU’s energy crisis response after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and played an important role during the successful Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. As Commissioner for International Partnerships, Síkela serves as a global dealmaker, fostering international collaboration focused on sustainability, human development, and economic security. This event is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.

Jon Burrows MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, delivers a keynote address entitled: "Peace is No Longer Enough: Delivering Prosperity and Opportunity for All in Northern Ireland". This event is in collaboration with the John and Pat Hume Foundation. Jon Burrows was selected as the UUP MLA for North Antrim in August 2025. He brings to the Assembly experience from a career in policing and has a strong track record of public service and effective community engagement. Jon was elected as Party Leader in January 2026. Jon is the Education spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party and also supports on all aspects of policing and justice policy and engagement. Originally from Bangor, Co. Down, Jon was educated at Bangor Grammar School before graduating from UU with a BA (Hons) in Law and Government. He also has a Master's in Criminal Justice (MSc) and a Master's in Law (LLM). Jon was a police officer for 22 years, working both nationally and predominantly in Northern Ireland with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He held several key leadership positions, including Area Commander in Foyle, Chief Inspector Operations for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, and finally Head of the PSNI’s Discipline Branch. In recent years, Jon has also established himself as a respected commentator on policing and justice issues, contributing regularly to TV, radio, and print media across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

A joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation against U.S. military assets, Israel and other U.S. allies, has engulfed much of the Middle East in a conflict with global repercussions. Israel and the United States campaign’s immediate aim was to decapitate the Islamic Republic’s leadership, and it quickly achieved this goal. But the broader objectives of the operation are still clouded in uncertainty. What might be enough for them to declare victory is still unclear. Two months in, a weak ceasefire is in place, but outbursts of hostilities remain as the U.S. seeks to break the chokehold Iran has placed in the Hormuz Strait disrupting the global economy. Evidence points at Iran, the U.S. and Israel fighting different wars in the same territory making a lasting ceasefire very difficult. This session draws on Crisis Group’s latest analysis to assess the trajectory of the conflict, examine the strategic calculations of the main stakeholders, and explore whether pathways to de-escalation remain viable—or whether the region is heading toward a more protracted and expansive war. Ali Vaez is International Crisis Group’s Iran Project Director and Senior Adviser to the Group’s President. He led Crisis Group’s efforts in helping to bridge the gaps between Iran and the P5+1 that led to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Previously, he served as a Senior Political Affairs Officer at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and was the Iran Project Director at the Federation of American Scientists. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is a co-author of How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare.

'The Making of Foreign Policy' In this edition of IIEA Insights two former foreign policy advisors – Ben Judah in the UK and Thomas Wright in the US – will recount their respective experiences of policy formulation, including the roles of advisors, civil servants, and political leaders, and how those roles have changed over time, if at all. They will also give personal views on the current state of play in some of the major issues that they were involved in as foreign policy advisors. Ben Judah worked as Special Advisor to British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, from February 2024 until early 2026. He is an author, publishing most recently This is Europe in 2023 and has held a number of think tank positions. From 2020 to 2024, he was a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, in Washington, D.C.,where he directed the Transform Europe Initiative. From 2017 to 2020, he held a research fellowship at the Hudson Institute, also in Washington, D.C., where he led research for the Kleptocracy Initiative. And from 2010 to 2012, he was a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations in London. Thomas Wright is a Senior Fellow at Brookings’s Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology and previously served as special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning at the National Security Council in the Biden administration. At the White House, he worked on the 2022 US National Security Strategy, Russia-Ukraine and European security, US-China relations, foreign economic policy, and adversary alignment. He is the author of All Measures Short of War and co-author of Aftershocks. He holds degrees from Georgetown, Cambridge, and University College Dublin, and has held fellowships at Harvard and Princeton.

Isabelle Pérignon, a French national, is Director for Consumer Policy at the European Commission since October 2023. She was for four years (2019-2023) the Deputy Head of Cabinet of the former Commissioner for Justice. Before this position, she worked as Head of Unit for Procedural criminal law at the European Commission. Ms Pérignon was also a member of the Cabinet of several Commissioners, including Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova and former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cécilia Malmström. Before joining the Commission in 2003, Isabelle Perignon was a solicitor specialising in EU law and was a member of the French and Belgian bars. She worked at Baker McKenzie law firm under the supervision of Ms Christine Lagarde. She holds a Master's Degree in European Legal Studies (LLM College of Europe) and a Masters in Business Studies.

In Dr Julie Norman’s address to the IIEA, she discusses her new co-authored book, entitled Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare. Dr Norman and Maia Carter Hallward tell the story of Gaza from its early foundations, across decades of occupation, to the horrors of 7 October 2023 and the devastation of the subsequent war. Rather than focusing on elites or abstract politics, at the book's heart are ordinary Gazans - students, aid workers, journalists, and teachers - whose first-hand testimonies vividly illuminate the realities behind the headlines. The book reckons with the legal, moral, and humanitarian debates surrounding Gaza, from war crimes investigations to the contested meaning of resistance and the politicisation of aid. Dr Norman will discuss how combining a nuanced narrative with hard-hitting reflections from everyday Gazans, serves as a timely and necessary disruption of media cliches and political binaries, from the perspectives of Gaza's own people. About the Speaker: Dr Julie Norman is an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at University College London (UCL). She is also the Director of UCL’s Israel-Palestine Initiative, and an Associate Fellow on the Middle East at Chatham House. She is the author of Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare and many other books and articles on Palestine/Israel and international conflict, and she is a frequent commentator on the BBC, Al Jazeera, and other media outlets.

Full event title: "Ukraine’s Path to the EU in the Time of Ireland’s Presidency: Defending Democracy and Shaping Europe’s Security Future" Oleksandr Korniyenko serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a role he has held since October 2021. Mr Korniyenko is the Head of the Servant of the People Party and has been a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament since 2019. In December 2025, he was re-elected as Chairman of the Servant of the People Party for a new term. The Servant of the People Party is represented by around 40% of local council deputies and mayors across Ukraine. As part of his role, he oversees the preparing and holding of plenary session in accordance with the distribution of responsibilities and instructions of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada. Mr Korniyenko also coordinates the work of parliamentary committees and working groups on various issues. He has played a role in the implementation of key judicial, anti-corruption and economic reforms, as well as in the removal of artificial barriers to these reforms. As a representative of the leadership of the Ukrainian Parliament, he is actively involved in the implementation of legislative changes and European integration reforms for Ukraine’s early accession to the European Union. Since February 2022, Mr Korniyenko has been assisting the Armed Forces of Ukraine, traveling to the border, de-occupied territories and frontline areas. He is also active on the diplomatic front, holding over 350 international meetings and paying official visits to more than 40 countries between 2022 and 2026.

In light of an increasingly volatile world order, the future of the European security architecture is back on the agenda and seems more pressing than at any point in recent history. After decades of reduced military spending across Europe, recent developments from Ukraine, over Greenland and from the Middle East as well as the rifts in the Transatlantic partnership have prompted European states to reassess their own vulnerabilities and defence capabilities. Germany’s ambition to modernise its Armed Forces and to fully implement the so-called Zeitenwende can be described as the centrepiece of the efforts currently undertaken by governments inside and outside of the European Union. What is the German perspective on the future of the European security architecture? Which measures could and should be taken at EU level to complement national efforts? How can Europe position itself effectively in a “world on fire” and which role can militarily neutral states such as Ireland play in the bigger picture of European security? Roderich Kiesewetter has been Member of the German Bundestag since 2009 and is a former General Staff Officer of the Bundeswehr (Colonel GS, Federal Armed Forces). He currently serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is also a Substitute Member of the Subcommittee on Arms Control and Proliferation Control, Non-Proliferation, and International Disarmament as well as the Subcommittee on Crisis Prevention, Strategic Foresight, Stabilization, and Peacebuilding. Furthermore, he is the Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Foreign Relations of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group. As one of the CDU’s most outspoken experts on security and defence policy, he is regularly quoted in newspapers and on national television. This event has been organised in conjunction with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung UK and Ireland.

A year of hard geopolitics has exposed Europe’s position between the world's two superpowers, with neither treating the European Union as a central player. This discussion examines where EU–China ties really stand, why the predicted détente never materialised after Trump’s return, and how Brussels is trying to balance economic interests with China with growing concerns over security and trade imbalances. Finbarr Bermingham is the Chief Europe Correspondent at the South China Morning Post, specialising in geopolitics, geoeconomics and EU-China relations. He has spent the last five years reporting from Brussels, breaking news on the EU’s attempts to unpick its economic dependencies on China and the backlash against Beijing’s growing assertiveness. Previously based in Hong Kong for seven years, he covered China’s trade and economy. He has also worked in London and South Korea. Finbarr is a regular commentator across TV, radio and podcasts, and speaks at events across Europe.

As Europe faces unprecedented geopolitical challenges, from the ongoing war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion to a volatile situation in the Middle East and shifting transatlantic relations and power competition, a strong and united European Union is in our key interest. During the upcoming Irish EU Presidency, the focus will be on how member states can ensure unity and security, defend our values, and increase Europe’s competitiveness. In his keynote address to the IIEA, Christoph Wolfrum, Director General for European Affairs at the German Federal Foreign Office, highlights Germany’s and Ireland’s opportunities to work together towards a stronger and more united Europe. Christoph Wolfrum has been Director-General for European Affairs at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office in Berlin since 2024. He previously led work on EU Strategic Policy Issues, EU Coordination and EU External Affairs and served as Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Madrid from 2019 to 2023. His other previous roles include Head of Division for EU Policy and Strategy, Deputy Head of the United Kingdom Task Force, and Deputy Head of Division posts in the EU Coordination Group (2014–2015) and EU Justice and Home Affairs (2012–2014). Mr Wolfrum also worked as an ‘Antici’ at Germany’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels from 2008 to 2012, in Nuclear Non-Proliferation (2005-2008) and Disarmament, and at the German Embassy in Bogotá as Head of the Legal and Consular Section (2002–2005).

Join us for an urgent and thought-provoking discussion with ICRC Director-General Pierre Krähenbühl on the alarming rise in global conflicts and their profound humanitarian consequences. With over 130 active conflicts worldwide, more than double the number recorded just 15 years ago, war is no longer the exception but an increasingly normalized tool of dispute. From the devastating escalation in the Middle East to the ripple effects on fragile nations like Sudan and Somalia, the impacts of these crises are far-reaching and demand immediate attention. The ICRC Director-General explores the changing nature of warfare, the long-lasting scars it leaves on communities, and the growing challenges faced by humanitarian actors in an era of diminishing resources and heightened risks. Pierre Krähenbühl is Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a position he assumed in April 2024. As head of the ICRC's executive body, he is responsible for steering the organisation's global humanitarian activities. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr Krähenbühl was Secretary-General to the Assembly at the ICRC (2023-2024). Mr Krähenbühl has dedicated more than 30 years to the humanitarian sector, including 25 years in prominent roles at the ICRC in delegations and at headquarters. He also served as Commissioner-General and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations at UNWRA (2014-2019). This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

The European Union and the Sahel have longstanding ties. Yet, as both sides experience significant transformations, and as geopolitical challenges abound, the context and nature of EU-Sahel relations have fundamentally changed. Today’s geopolitical environment is marked by the growing role of military actors in politics, widespread security concerns, acute fragility, the reconfiguration of regional and multilateral systems, and intensifying geopolitical competition. These trends are further reinforced by narratives centred on sovereignty and rising anti-Western and anti-European sentiment. The EU envisages being a partner of choice for the Sahel and the broader region for the medium to long term. In this context, the EU has developed a renewed approach to the Sahel, acknowledging that disengagement is not an option, given the strategic importance of the region. In his address, EUSR Cravinho will outline this approach, which is focused on charting a way forward, which was politically validated by the 27 EU Foreign Ministers in November 2025.  This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

Recent global trade volatility and geopolitical instability have highlighted how Europe’s prosperity, autonomy and security can be exposed to global shocks and render Europe vulnerable. In this event, Olof Gill, Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission and Spokesperson for Trade, Economic Security & Customs, discusses the EU’s efforts to navigate geopolitical turbulence and major trade disruption. Mr Gill explores the European Commission’s focus on achieving a robust and resilient trade policy that promotes Europe’s prosperity, security and autonomy. Olof Gill is Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, and Commission Spokesperson for Trade, Economic Security & Customs. He began his career as a journalist before taking on roles in the European Parliament, and later the Irish government. In his current position he plays a public-facing role, communicating the EU perspective on high-profile trade and geopolitical priorities, including relations with the US, China, India, and Mercosur region. An Irish-Swedish national, he has worked at the Commission for over a decade, contributing to EU policy and communications strategies on prominent topics including Brexit, Covid-19, and the war in Ukraine.

Against the backdrop of a more turbulent geopolitical environment. the European Union has increased its effort to ensure that its citizens are protected. In his remarks to the IIEA, Guillaume de la Brosse, Head of Unit for Defence Policy and Innovation at the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space at the European Commission (DG DEFIS), discusses progress on the implementation of the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, as well as the work of the EU in meeting the challenges of an increasingly insecure world.    About the Speaker: Guillaume de La Brosse is currently Head of Unit, Defence Policy and Innovation at DG DEFIS. Previously, he was Head of Unit in charge of Innovation and New Space - Space Defence in the Commission (Direction-General for Defence Industry and Space). Guillaume joined the Commission in 2016, as member of the Commission’s think-tank and member of the UK Task Force, where he dealt with security, defence, and space.

Following on from the recent announcement by the Tánaiste, this event looks to build on the recent proposals and the recommendations set out in the IIEA–BNY White Paper. An expert panel examines the product features and practical steps necessary to launch in 2027. The discussion focuses on how to operationalise a PIA scheme swiftly and effectively, the range of investment options that should be available to participants, and ides to promote financial inclusion, for the benefit of Irish society. This event includes the following speakers: Professor Niamh Moloney, Professor of Law at the London School of Economics and Specialist in EU Financial Markets Regulation Anna Marie Finnegan, Head of Function in the Cross-Sectoral Policy of the Central Bank of Ireland Paul Kilcullen, BNY Ireland Country Manager Dan O’Brien, IIEA Chief Economist Emily Portney, BNY Executive Committee, Global Head of Asset Servicing provide opening remarks. The event was moderated by Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach of Ireland.

'Security, Strategy and Statecraft' Former advisor to four British prime ministers, Prof John Bew, joins this edition of IIEA Insights to discuss the strategic predicament of Europe, the UK, and Ireland. He explores how Britain’s national security strategy has evolved, along with the implications for Ireland, the risks of a full-scale European war, and possible future security architecture for the continent. He also examines current and future transatlantic relations and what sort of equilibrium might emerge in EU-UK relations. John Bew CMG is Professor of History and Foreign Policy at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London and former advisor to four British prime ministers. He served as penholder on the last three UK national security strategies and was closely involved in the shaping of the most recent NATO Strategic Concept. In 2012, he became the youngest ever holder of the Henry A. Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress and in 2015 he won the Philip Leverhulme Prize for International Studies. The Ulsterman is the author of five books, many academic articles, and a number of edited collections.

In the second in a series of short interviews, the IIEA’s Director of Research Barry Colfer talks to Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne about his priorities and hopes for the forthcoming Irish President of the Council of the EU. The Minister shares his views on the single market, competitiveness, EU enlargement, EU-UK and EU-US relations and more.

The global economy has endured multiple shocks in recent years and is currently coping with a fresh surge in energy prices as a result of conflict in the Middle East. In this edition of IIEA Insights, Dr David Kelly will assess the implications for inflation and economic growth from his position on Wall Street. He will also discuss a range of other issues, including the potential productivity gains from AI, the medium and long term effects of tariffs and the efficacy of monetary policy. David Kelly is the Chief Global Strategist and Head of the Global Market Insights Strategy Team for J.P. Morgan Asset Management in New York. His research focuses on the investment implications of an evolving economic environment, while his proprietary U.S. economic forecasting model helps shape his views on both the economic landscape and prospective asset class returns. He is a frequent keynote speaker at investment conferences in the US and a regular guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, and other financial media outlets. He previously served as a senior strategist/economist at SPP Investment Management, Primark Decision Economics, Lehman Brothers and DRI/McGraw-Hill. Born in Dublin, he is a graduate of U.C.D. and Michigan State University.

'Europe’s Economic Security: The State of Play' As trade has become weaponised by major powers, protectionism rises and conflicts proliferate, long-held assumptions about economic security have been cast aside. Supply disruption of vital goods such as energy, rare earths, and semiconductors require active risk management and proactive policy measures to increase resilience. In this Insights, Andrew McDowell discusses various EU initiatives designed to enhance the bloc’s economic security, including the Chips Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act, as well as assessing how the screening of inward investment into the EU is working in practice. Andrew McDowell is Director General of EIB Global and a former Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. Previously he worked as a Partner in PwC’s strategy consulting business in Luxembourg and as Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s Chief Economic Advisor, when he played a central role in steering Ireland out of the 2010-2013 EU-IMF bailout.

Six years on from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decrease in momentum for coordinated EU public health action, particularly on respiratory disease. Despite mounting pressures from climate change, ageing populations, and strained health systems, this trend has continued. This panel discussion brings together healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry representatives, and other experts to explore how Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency can help to re-energise Europe’s public health agenda. With a particular focus on respiratory health, the panellists discuss how EU-level cooperation on prevention, early diagnosis, surveillance, data-sharing, and innovation can deliver more resilient, equitable, and future-ready health systems across Europe. This event is organised by the Institute of International and European Affairs in partnership with Sanofi. The panel includes: José Luis Castro, Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Professor Mary Horgan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Mark Canavan, EU Public Affairs Senior Director at Sanofi Mandy Daly, Founder of the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance and Embedded Patient Researcher

'War in the Middle-East: implications for Ireland and Europe' The multi-dimensional conflict in the Middle East is creating regional turmoil and roiling global markets, commodities most notably. This edition of IIEA Insights will discuss what the reaction from Europe says about the EU as a geopolitical actor, the implications for the war in Ukraine, and how the conflict is affecting an already strained transatlantic relationship. The economic implications for Ireland and Europe will also be examined. Riccardo Alcaro is Research Coordinator and Head of the Global Actors Programme at the Institute of International Affairs in Rome. His main area of expertise is transatlantic relations, with a particular focus on US and European policies towards Europe’s surrounding regions. He is the author of Europe and Iran’s Nuclear Crisis (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). Laurence Norman is Brussels Deputy Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal covering the EU, European foreign policy, and nuclear issues. Over the last 20 years, he has reported for the paper from Berlin, London, New York, and Buenos Aires. Loretta O’Sullivan is Chief Economist and Partner at EY Ireland. She has been working in the economics field for almost 20 years in both the public and private sectors, on a wide range of Irish, European, and global issues. She holds a PhD in Economics from Trinity College Dublin and an MA in Policy, Management and Government from the University of York.

In 2021, the European Commission and the EU High Representative launched the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors, while also strengthening health, education, and research systems across the world. This panel discussion provides an accessible overview of the Global Gateway, outlining its objectives, priority sectors, and delivery mechanisms. The discussion explores what Global Gateway means in practice for Ireland, examining how Irish businesses, including SMEs, can engage with EU-backed financing instruments and international infrastructure projects, while ensuring alignment with sustainable development objectives and the priorities of partners in the Global South. The panel also situates Global Gateway within the broader context of the Global Europe Instrument and Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026, highlighting Ireland’s potential role in shaping and delivering this flagship EU initiative. The event begins with opening remarks by Barry Andrews MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's DEVE Committee, on the nature of the Global Gateway Strategy and is followed by the panel discussion. The panel includes: Barry Andrews MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's DEVE Committee Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO at Dóchas Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Local Enterprise & Regions at Enterprise Ireland Ruth Parkin, Director, EU Unit, Development Cooperation & Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

This webinar examines how gender inequalities shape access to food, nutrition, and opportunities across global food systems, and how accountability initiatives are helping to close these gaps. Drawing on evidence from the Global Food 50/50 report and related research, this discussion explores how power, resources, and decision-making are distributed within food system organisations and institutions.​ Speakers will consider what gender-responsive leadership and organisational practices look like in practice, including approaches to advancing equity, inclusion, and accountability in governance and programming. The session will also reflect on emerging priorities for policymakers, funders, and practitioners seeking to transform food systems so that women and marginalised groups can participate on equal terms and benefit fully from sustainable and nutritious food economies Dr. Hazel Malapit is a senior research coordinator at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington, DC. She leads research, training, and technical assistance on the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) family of metrics, including the Women’s Empowerment Metric for National Statistical Systems (WEMNS). Her work focuses on gender, women’s empowerment, agriculture, health, nutrition, and mixed-methods measurement. She has played a key role in developing successive WEAI iterations and supports national statistical offices, CGIAR centers, and development partners in applying empowerment metrics in impact assessments and policy processes. Before joining IFPRI, Hazel held the Herman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gender and Economics at the University of Michigan and conducted research on gender, labor markets, and data quality at the World Bank. She holds a PhD in Economics from American University. Dr. Jemimah Njuki, a national of the Republic of Kenya, is the African Development Bank Group’s Director for Gender, Women, and Civil Society. She is responsible for providing intellectual and strategic leadership for the Bank Group’s agenda on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and civil society engagement - working across technical, geographic, and institutional boundaries to support the delivery of inclusive development solutions. Dr. Njuki’s portfolio includes overseeing the implementation of economic and sector work on gender, women and civil society, including Bank initiatives such as AFAWA, which is working with partners including financial institutions to unlock billions of dollars to reduce the access to financing gap facing Africa’s women entrepreneurs. Sonja Tanaka is the director of programs and innovation and a founding member at Global 50/50. She works to advance gender justice, equity, and accountability in global health and beyond, with expertise in research, policy, and strategy development. She was previously with the United Nations agency leading the global AIDS response.

Cybersecurity has become a defining challenge for Ireland and Europe, with digital ecosystems underpinning our economic prosperity, democratic resilience, and the functioning of critical infrastructure. As energy systems, healthcare, financial services, and other systems become more digitally interconnected, the potential societal impacts of cyberattacks grow exponentially. In this panel discussion, organised in conjunction with Accenture, this event discusses the risks which Ireland and Europe face from a heightened risk environment, and how Europe can augment its resilience to a more complex cyber threat landscape. The panel for this event include: - Jacky Fox, Senior Managing Director, Global Lead for Security Strategy Practice, Accenture - Richard Browne, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre - Donal Óg McCarthy, Cybersecurity Lead, Ireland, Accenture - Joyce Hakmeh, Associate Fellow, International Security Programme, Chatham House

This IIEA event features a keynote address by Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova and Chief Negotiator with the EU, outlining Moldova’s progress towards EU membership, key reform priorities, and the challenges shaping the accession process. Deputy Prime Minister Gherasimov’s address be followed by a discussion with leading academic and policy experts examining Moldova’s advancement in the EU accession process, the broader evolution of EU enlargement, and the strategic context for Europe. This discussion also explores the role of EU Member States, including Ireland, in supporting Moldova’s path towards EU membership. This event is part of the IIEA’s Future-proofing Europe Project, which is kindly supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. About the Speaker: Cristina Gherasimov was appointed Deputy Prime-Minister for European Integration and Chief Negotiator with the European Union in January 2024 and reappointed in the Alexandru Munteanu Cabinet, formed after the parliamentary elections, held in September 2025. She previously served as Adviser to the President of the Republic of Moldova on Foreign Policy and European Integration, as well as holding the position of Secretary General of the Presidential Office. In these roles, Cristina Gherasimov served as the President's Sherpa for several European and global summits and events, such as the European Political Community Summit, UNGA, and Moldova Support Platform, among others. Her responsibilities extended to coordinating efforts in the area of foreign policy and EU integration process. For a short period after, Cristina Gherasimov also served as Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European Integration. Prior to her service in the Moldovan government, Ms Gherasimov acquired a rich and diverse background in academia, research institutes, think tanks, and public organisations.

In this event, Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs for Google, discusses the importance of Ireland as a digital economy hub in Europe and the role of the digital economy in ensuring Ireland’s future prosperity. Mr Walker also discusses how Ireland can harness its upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU, starting in July 2026, to push for the measures that are needed to unleash Europe’s digital competitiveness and to secure Europe’s digital resilience. In his remarks, Mr Walker examines the debate about Europe’s regulatory framework, the growing role of AI, and how to ensure Europe’s resilience against digital threats. This event is organised as a collaboration between the IIEA and Google. Kent Walker is President of Global Affairs at Google and Alphabet, overseeing content policy, government and regulatory affairs, and legal, risk, and compliance matters. With a 30+ year career at the intersection of technology, law, and policy, he has led Google's advocacy on key issues and served as the first chair of the Global Internet Forum to Combat Terrorism. A Harvard and Stanford Law graduate, Kent was previously an Assistant U.S. Attorney and held executive positions at Netscape, AOL, and eBay. He serves on TechNet's executive committee and the Council on Foreign Relations.

In her speech, Ms Bogdan-Martin addresses the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in securing universal connectivity for all, particularly how ICT can be used to assist developing countries to ensure that no one is left behind and that the ITU programmes reach the furthest behind first. She explores how AI can be used for inclusion, providing access to healthcare and education in developing countries, and presents an innovative ITU programme which focuses on migration and connecting refugees from camp to camp. Finally, she highlights developments in cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure, from energy to subsea cables. This event is part of the IIEA’s Development Matters Series which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid. Doreen Bogdan-Martin is the Secretary-General of the Internation Telecommunication Union (ITU), taking office in January 2023, becoming the first woman ever to head the organisation. Ms Bogdan-Martin has held leadership positions in the field of international telecommunications policy for over three decades, with a track-record of brokering innovative partnerships to expand digital inclusion and connectivity for everyone around the world. Previously, Ms Bogdan-Martin served as the Executive Director of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, focusing on delivering new partnerships, global initiatives on connectivity innovation, digital transformation, and youth engagement. She was also co-founder of the EQUALS Global Partnership to bridge the digital divide, and co-creator of the GIGA school initiative. She has been awarded the IEEE President’s Award for ‘distinguished leadership and contributions to the public’ and the SIA Leadership in Government Award for her ‘distinguished career in both domestic and international space policy. In 2025, Forbes named Ms Bogdan-Martin in its 50 over 50 Impact list recognising women using their experience to benefit the world.

2026 marks the fourth year of Ukraine's defence against Russia's full-scale invasion. In his remarks to the IIEA, Oleksandr Kraiev discusses how Ukraine's defence continues to shape the future of Europe's security architecture. He discusses the ongoing negotiations regarding a peaceful settlement to the conflict. Moreover, he reflects upon the changing transatlantic relationship, its implications for Europe's security environment, and the need for other European States to do more to rebuild Europe's security architecture.  Oleksandr Kraiev is the Director of the North America program in Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism", a senior lecturer at National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy", and a host at Apostrophe TV channel. He is also a PhD candidate with the topic on Trump's first Main spheres of interest - US and UK foreign policy, US presidents in foreign policy decision making, hybrid security, Ukrainian foreign and security policies.

'New Year Economic Outlook' Uncertainty remains elevated with regards to the global economic outlook. The effects of geopolitical tensions, protectionism, an unpredictable US administration, and the pace of change in AI are among the issues challenging economic forecasters. In the first edition of IIEA Insights in the new year, Alan Barrett of the ESRI and Daniel Kral of Oxford Economics will discuss the macroeconomic outlook, while Michelle Norris of UCD will weigh up the prospects for housing supply and demand in 2026.

This event has been organised in conjunction with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dublin. Speakers on this panel include: Minister Lubna Jaffrey, Minister of Culture and Equality of Norway Mari Velsand, Director General of the Norwegian Media Authority Martina Chapman, National Coordinator at Media Literacy Ireland Angelika Sharygina, AI & Information Integrity Advisor; Founder and Researcher

Full title "From Early Warnings to Lasting Resilience: Strengthening Global Preparedness Through Science and Innovation" WMO Secretary-General Dr Celeste Saulo explores how the global public infrastructure coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization underpins weather, water and climate intelligence worldwide, enabling early warnings that protect lives, livelihoods and economic stability. This shared system, built on scientific data, observation networks, forecasting centres and international cooperation, supports timely warnings of extreme events, which increasingly affect both developed and developing countries. Drawing on examples from the Early Warnings for All initiative, the lecture shows how global systems translate into national and local capacity, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing states, where climate risks are most acute. The Secretary-General also highlights key initiatives, including the WMO Commons, SOFF and CREWS, that are strengthening shared capacity, sustaining essential global services and ensuring that early warning systems remain a trusted global public good in a changing climate. This event is part of the IIEA’s Development Matters Series which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid. About the Speaker: Secretary-General Saulo was the first female and the first South American appointed as Secretary-General of the WMO and began her four-year term of office on 1 January 2024. Prior to this she served as the Director of the National Meteorological Service of Argentina and was the first Vice-President of the WMO. She graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 1996 with a PhD and rose to a full professorship at that university where she became Director of the Department of Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences. Her scientific specialisations are in numerical weather prediction, data assimilation, short-to-medium range prediction and early warning systems.

The European Security Architecture finds itself at a crossroads. After decades of reduced military spending in Europe, Russia’s war against Ukraine has reminded the rest of Europe of the relevance of its own security and defence capabilities which have long been considered to be obsolete, or taken for granted by the United States. But what if Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the rules-based international order succeeds? What implications would this have for European security, and how should European states prepare for such a scenario?  This event has been organised in conjunction with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), UK and Ireland  Speaker bio:  Professor Dr Carlo Masala is a renowned German expert on military and security policy. He holds the Chair for Security and Defence Studies at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and has published extensively on international relations, NATO and European security. He is the author of the bestselling book ‘If Russia Wins’, published in 2025, which has topped charts across Europe and cemented his reputation as a leading voice in geopolitics.

As 2025 draws to a close, the IIEA’s Research Team looks to 2026, and Ireland’s EU Presidency. Barry Colfer and Cian FitzGerald discuss Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. They discuss EU competitiveness, and how Ireland can contribute to Europe’s economic prosperity. Moreover, against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, they discuss how Europe is supporting Ukraine, as well as the EU’s preparations for a widening of the conflict.

In his address to the IIEA, Derek Scally reflects on the German federal election of February 2025 and what it reveals about the shifting political landscape in Germany. Following the collapse of the Scholz government, the election delivered major gains for both the CDU/CSU and the far-right AfD, alongside historic losses for the former governing parties. With Friedrich Merz now installed as chancellor at the head of a new CDU/CSU–SPD coalition, Mr Scally assesses the implications for domestic governance, Germany’s role in Europe, and what political challenges may lie ahead in 2026. About the Speaker: Derek Scally is a native Dubliner, who studied at Dublin City University and the Humboldt University in Berlin, where he has been Irish Times correspondent since 2001. Covering politics, business and culture, he is a regular contributor to German news outlets, including Die Zeit weekly and Deutschlandfunk/WDR radio. He reports regularly from northern Europe and is also author of ‘The Best Catholics in the World’, published in 2021 by Penguin.

In this latest webinar in our series on Finland's Future’s Ecosystem, the panel takes an analytical approach to the ecosystem. They will give a critical assessment of the Finnish model and compare it with other international approaches, especially Ireland’s. This webinar is the final event in a series that began with an address from Finland’s Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand on Finland’s Futures Ecosystem in a European Context. The second in the series was an online panel event that outlined the core elements of Finland’s Futures Ecosystem. This event was organised in conjunction with the UCD Centre for Innovation, Technology and Organisation. Panellists include: Elizabeth Canavan, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach Marc Ó Cathasaigh, former T.D. Niamh Garvey, Senior Policy Analyst, NESC Kevin Daly, Principal Officer at the Department of Finance