Program
Innovative approaches and economic impetus to promote sustainable growth - for a strong, networked future for Europe.
Prevevent | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | Deutsche Börse Berlin HUB
6:15 PM
Check-in
7:00 PM
Welcome
Stefanie Kieslich, Head of Business Unit F.A.Z.-Conferences and Managed Events, F.A.Z. BUSINESS MEDIA GmbH
Niels Tomm, Representative of the Board, Deutsche Börse Group
Stefanie Kieslich, Head of Business Unit F.A.Z.-Conferences and Managed Events, F.A.Z. BUSINESS MEDIA GmbH
Niels Tomm, Representative of the Board, Deutsche Börse Group
7:15 PM
Insight
Europe: an unfinished masterpiece
Miha Pogačnik, Violinist, Cultural Diplomat and Cultural Ambassador, Grow Foundation
Europe: an unfinished masterpiece
Miha Pogačnik, Violinist, Cultural Diplomat and Cultural Ambassador, Grow Foundation
7:35 PM
Stage Talk
Rethinking Thought. Why AI is Europe's Moment.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Rees, AI philosopher, Founding Director of the Transformations of the Human program at the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles, Co-Founder and CEO of Stella Matutina, Chief Philosophical Office, Grow Foundation
in conversation with
Jürgen Kaube, Publisher, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Rethinking Thought. Why AI is Europe's Moment.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Rees, AI philosopher, Founding Director of the Transformations of the Human program at the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles, Co-Founder and CEO of Stella Matutina, Chief Philosophical Office, Grow Foundation
in conversation with
Jürgen Kaube, Publisher, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
8:20 PM
Get-together
Featuring works of art by Christian Awe, Künstler und Chief Inspiration Officer, Grow Foundation
Conference Day | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | Allianz Forum
Daily moderation:
Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Julia Löhr, Head of Economic Policy Section, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Julia Löhr, Head of Economic Policy Section, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
8:30 AM
Check-in & Welcome Coffee
9:00 AM
Opening
Carsten Knop, Publisher, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Carsten Knop, Publisher, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
9:10 AM
Welcome
Günther H. Oettinger, President, United Europe e.V.
Günther H. Oettinger, President, United Europe e.V.
9:25 AM
Stage Talk
Europe Between Security and Sovereignty
Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President, Free State of Bavaria
Moderation: Julia Löhr, Head of Economic Policy Section, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Europe Between Security and Sovereignty
Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President, Free State of Bavaria
Moderation: Julia Löhr, Head of Economic Policy Section, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Block 1: Security & Resilience
How does Europe assert its security – militarily, economically and digitally?
How does Europe assert its security – militarily, economically and digitally?
9:55 AM
Keynote
A strong NATO needs a strong Europe
Dr. Detlef Wächter, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO
A strong NATO needs a strong Europe
Dr. Detlef Wächter, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO
10:25 AM
Keynote
Situation Analysis: Europe's Defense Capabilities in a Hybrid Environment
Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, German Bundestag
Situation Analysis: Europe's Defense Capabilities in a Hybrid Environment
Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, German Bundestag
10:55 AM
Keynote
Securing Europe's Strength – Trust, Digital Sovereignty and a Comprehensive Security Framework for the European Economic Area
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Reuter, President, German Savings Banks Association
Securing Europe's Strength – Trust, Digital Sovereignty and a Comprehensive Security Framework for the European Economic Area
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Reuter, President, German Savings Banks Association
11:15 AM
Coffee break
11:35 AM
Strategic Dialogue
Defence as a strategic priority: how European companies are expanding their capabilities
Dr. Andreas Görgen, Chief Operations Officer, TKMS GmbH
Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of the Board, Salzgitter AG
Heike Homann, Vice President - Operations Strategy & Transformation, Airbus Helicopters
Christian Wesel, Head of Defence Germany, Daimler Truck AG
Moderation: Sven Astheimer, Editor-in-Charge of Corporate Reporting, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Defence as a strategic priority: how European companies are expanding their capabilities
Dr. Andreas Görgen, Chief Operations Officer, TKMS GmbH
Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of the Board, Salzgitter AG
Heike Homann, Vice President - Operations Strategy & Transformation, Airbus Helicopters
Christian Wesel, Head of Defence Germany, Daimler Truck AG
Moderation: Sven Astheimer, Editor-in-Charge of Corporate Reporting, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
12:10 AM
Panel Discussion
Europe's Defence Capabilities Under Stress Test
Andreas Frank, Germany Defense Leader & Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY GmbH & Co. KG
Stefan Kapferer, CEO, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH
Dr. Jochen Schröder, Executive Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Schaeffler AG
Susanne Wiegand, Supervisory Board Member and Investor
Moderation: Sabine Balk, Editor F.A.Z. Weltwirtschaft, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Europe's Defence Capabilities Under Stress Test
Andreas Frank, Germany Defense Leader & Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY GmbH & Co. KG
Stefan Kapferer, CEO, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH
Dr. Jochen Schröder, Executive Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Schaeffler AG
Susanne Wiegand, Supervisory Board Member and Investor
Moderation: Sabine Balk, Editor F.A.Z. Weltwirtschaft, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
12:50 AM
EU Keynote
Powering Europe’s resilience: Why Europe must electrify
Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board, KONE Corporation
Powering Europe’s resilience: Why Europe must electrify
Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board, KONE Corporation
1:10 PM
Interruption
What Europe Must Do Now – No Excuses!
Klaus Welle, Chairman of the Academic Council, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
What Europe Must Do Now – No Excuses!
Klaus Welle, Chairman of the Academic Council, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
1:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
Block 2: AI & Innovation
How does Europe turn Regulation into Competitiveness?
How does Europe turn Regulation into Competitiveness?
2:10 PM
Talk
International students as a competitive factor – working together to secure Europe’s future viability
Jonas Marggraf, Managing Director, DEGIS gGmbH
Prisca Merz, Managing Director, TU9 – German Universities of Technology e.V.
Volker Meyer-Guckel, Secretary General and Chairman of the Executive Board, Stifterverband
Simone Schwering, Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors, BARMER
Moderation: Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
International students as a competitive factor – working together to secure Europe’s future viability
Jonas Marggraf, Managing Director, DEGIS gGmbH
Prisca Merz, Managing Director, TU9 – German Universities of Technology e.V.
Volker Meyer-Guckel, Secretary General and Chairman of the Executive Board, Stifterverband
Simone Schwering, Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors, BARMER
Moderation: Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
2:40 PM
Stage Talk
Opportunity or Stumbling Block – Europe's AI Regulation
Dr. Lina Böcker, Legal Counsel/Partner, Osborne Clarke GmbH & Co. KG
Dr. Florian Heinemann, Founding Partner, Project A Ventures
Moderation: Johannes Winkelhage, Editor for Newsletter and Verticals, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Opportunity or Stumbling Block – Europe's AI Regulation
Dr. Lina Böcker, Legal Counsel/Partner, Osborne Clarke GmbH & Co. KG
Dr. Florian Heinemann, Founding Partner, Project A Ventures
Moderation: Johannes Winkelhage, Editor for Newsletter and Verticals, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
3:10 PM
Talk
Gesundheit als Wachstumsmotor: Deutschlands Beitrag zu Europas Wettbewerbsfähigkeit
Christoph Glaetzer, Chief Global Value and Access Officer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Dr. Stephan Pilsinger, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Health, German Bundestag
Moderation: Johannes Winkelhage, Redakteur für Newsletter und Verticals, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Gesundheit als Wachstumsmotor: Deutschlands Beitrag zu Europas Wettbewerbsfähigkeit
Christoph Glaetzer, Chief Global Value and Access Officer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Dr. Stephan Pilsinger, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Health, German Bundestag
Moderation: Johannes Winkelhage, Redakteur für Newsletter und Verticals, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
3:35 PM
Political Keynote followed by a stage talk
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization
Moderation: Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization
Moderation: Corinna Budras, Economics Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
4:15 PM
Coffee Break & Networking
Block 3: Financing & Transformation
How can Europe make capital markets a driver of its competitiveness?
How can Europe make capital markets a driver of its competitiveness?
4:35 PM
Keynote
Capital markets as a strategic lever: Europe's path to greater sovereignty
Dr. Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse Group
Capital markets as a strategic lever: Europe's path to greater sovereignty
Dr. Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse Group
4:55 PM
Stage Talk
Is Europe Facing a Loss of Prosperity?
Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Executive Board, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Moderation: Inken Schönauer, Head of the Finance Department, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Is Europe Facing a Loss of Prosperity?
Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Executive Board, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Moderation: Inken Schönauer, Head of the Finance Department, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
5:25 PM
Keynote
From Frankfurt to Europe: Markets as engines of innovation
Dr. Bettina Orlopp, CEO, Commerzbank AG
From Frankfurt to Europe: Markets as engines of innovation
Dr. Bettina Orlopp, CEO, Commerzbank AG
5:45 PM
Panel Discussion
Capital for Transformation: How do we finance Europe's future?
Eddy Henning, Head of Wholesale Banking and Member of the Executive Board, ING-DiBa AG
Dr. Christian Jasperneite, Chief Investment Officer, M. M. Warburg & CO
Kerstin Jorna, Director General, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME’s, European Commission
Prof. Jörg Rocholl, President, ESMT Berlin
Phaedon Tamvakakis, Chairman & Co-Founder, Alpha Trust
Moderation: Inken Schönauer, Head of the Finance Department, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Capital for Transformation: How do we finance Europe's future?
Eddy Henning, Head of Wholesale Banking and Member of the Executive Board, ING-DiBa AG
Dr. Christian Jasperneite, Chief Investment Officer, M. M. Warburg & CO
Kerstin Jorna, Director General, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME’s, European Commission
Prof. Jörg Rocholl, President, ESMT Berlin
Phaedon Tamvakakis, Chairman & Co-Founder, Alpha Trust
Moderation: Inken Schönauer, Head of the Finance Department, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
6:25 PM
Q&A with the audience
6:35 PM
Farewell & Get-together