Restoring Europe’s competitiveness is the defining economic challenge of our time, a central theme of both the Draghi report and the European Commission President’s State of the Union address. The SIU is positioned not merely as a financial project, but as the central pillar of Europe’s economic strategy. This address will articulate how the SIU is designed to resolve the investment gap that has stunted European growth for decades. By aiming to create a single, deep pool of capital, the SIU—alongside associated regulatory reforms and simplification efforts—seeks to lower the cost of capital for European businesses, particularly SMEs, and advance the Single Market. Ultimately, these efforts are designed to mobilise private investment, making Europe a more attractive destination for investment, innovation, and growth.

Despite decades of work towards a unified European Capital Markets Union, the Single Market remains fragmented. This fragmentation hinders citizens’ access to high-growth investments and prevents companies from securing the substantial capital required to scale up, ultimately constraining economic growth. The SIU offers a direct response to this challenge, focusing on developing the European economy for the benefit of both citizens and businesses. This session will examine the financial architecture needed to underpin this shift within a globally competitive context. The panel will explore the impact of recent proposals on the EU’s efforts and scrutinise the realistic paths Europe must navigate to enhance its competitiveness. Ultimately, is the EU positioning itself as a leading participant in the global economy, or retreating to the role of a regional player focused solely on its internal market?

As Europe competes fiercely for global capital, what conditions must be met for international investors to choose the EU? This interview will explore the realities of global capital flows and the imperatives for regulatory coherence, particularly regarding alignment with other jurisdictions. We examine the strategic adjustments Europe must make to ensure its market remains deeply interconnected with, rather than isolated from, the established markets of the US and the dynamic growth centres of Asia.

The intensification of geopolitical conflict has driven a radical shift in European policymaking, placing a strong emphasis on strategic autonomy and resilience. As the global landscape fractures, Europe must determine how to deliver economic security across a wide range of areas, including energy independence, critical supply chains, technological leadership, the fortification of critical infrastructure, and the reduction of strategic dependencies. As the EU focuses internally on developing these critical sectors, effective financing mechanisms are essential. This panel will explore the necessary evolution of the regulatory landscape to ensure European players can remain competitive and innovative amidst this uncertainty.

Financial stability is the bedrock of strategic autonomy. As Europe advances the implementation of Basel III and the Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance (CMDI) frameworks, how will these regimes interface with the goal of global competitiveness? This keynote will examine the crucial link between resilience and the ability to project economic power. Ultimately, regulatory frameworks must provide the certainty required to attract investment and afford companies the flexibility needed to scale up.

The digital transition has been a long-term priority for the EU; however, the recent acceleration in AI development underscores the need to expedite efforts to ensure European companies remain competitive. This session will examine the innovations on the digital finance frontier that are reshaping the European landscape. As stablecoins gain traction, questions arise regarding whether MiCA is sufficient to protect European monetary sovereignty. Europe is grappling with the imperative to be competitive in the digital assets space while addressing persistent financial stability concerns. The discussion will explore how the deployment of tokenisation, DLT, and AI continues to present opportunities for innovation in financial services, balanced against the need for robust consumer protection.