Where is the conference "The Future of European Security" being held?

The conference is being held in Lisboa, PRT.

What is the primary focus of this conference?

The conference focuses on the future of European security, addressing critical challenges and strategies for the continent's defense.

Who is the target audience for this event?

The event is designed for experts and policymakers engaged in European security and international relations.

Conferência "O Futuro da Segurança da Europa"

Name: Conferência "O Futuro da Segurança da Europa"
Start: 2026-01-27T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-01-27T00:00:00Z
Location: Lisboa

Jan 27, 2026Lisboa, PortugalIn-person

Registration open

The conference "The Future of European Security" convenes in Lisboa, PRT, to address the evolving security landscape of Europe. This event brings together experts and policymakers to discuss critical challenges and formulate strategies for a more secure future for the continent. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of topics pertinent to European defense and international relations.

Committees & topics

Topics
The Future of European Security · European Defense and Industrial Capacity · The European Economy and Security · European Strategic Autonomy · European Foreign Policy in a Contested Order

Why it matters

The security of Europe is a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and internal dynamics. This conference provides a crucial platform for stakeholders to engage in substantive dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of the threats and opportunities facing the region. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event aims to contribute to more cohesive and effective security policies.

The outcomes of such discussions can have significant implications for international cooperation and the stability of the global order. As Europe navigates an increasingly unpredictable world, the insights generated at this conference will be vital for informing strategic decisions and strengthening collective defense mechanisms. The event underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and adaptation in the face of persistent and emerging security challenges.

How to prepare

To effectively engage with the discussions at this conference, delegates should undertake a thorough preparation of the current geopolitical climate impacting Europe. This includes understanding the various security alliances and partnerships, as well as the individual defense postures of key European nations. Familiarity with recent developments in international security, such as cyber threats and hybrid warfare, will also be beneficial.

Consider utilizing frameworks such as "what-is-stakeholder-mapping" and "dynamic-analysis" to anticipate the various interests and potential points of contention among participants. Understanding the perspectives of different European states, as well as those of external actors, will be crucial for navigating the complex discussions. Delegates should also be prepared to articulate their own country's stance on key security issues, drawing upon a comprehensive understanding of their national interests and policy objectives.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 6 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Portugal

As the host nation, PRT will likely emphasize a cooperative approach to European security, advocating for multilateral solutions and a strong role for international institutions.

Role in topic

PRT plays a role in European security through its contributions to NATO and the European Union's common security and defense policy. Its geographical position also makes it relevant for maritime security and transatlantic relations.

France

FRA is expected to advocate for strengthening European strategic autonomy and defense capabilities, potentially emphasizing a more independent European defense posture.

Role in topic

FRA is a key proponent of a strong European defense identity and has significant military capabilities, including nuclear deterrence. It often champions initiatives to enhance European defense cooperation.

Germany

DEU will likely focus on collective security within existing frameworks like NATO, while also emphasizing diplomatic solutions and economic stability as pillars of security.

Role in topic

DEU is a major economic power in Europe and a significant contributor to NATO. Its approach to security often balances military contributions with a strong emphasis on diplomacy and economic stability.

Poland

POL will likely highlight concerns regarding eastern European security, advocating for robust deterrence and a strong transatlantic link with the USA.

Role in topic

POL is a frontline state in Eastern Europe and is particularly sensitive to security threats from the East. It is a strong advocate for NATO's collective defense and a close relationship with the USA.

United Kingdom

GBR will likely emphasize its role as a significant European security actor outside the EU, focusing on bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation.

Role in topic

Despite its departure from the European Union, GBR remains a major military power and a key contributor to European security through NATO and other bilateral defense agreements.

United States

The USA will likely reiterate its commitment to European security through NATO, emphasizing burden-sharing and collective defense.

Role in topic

The USA is a foundational member of NATO and a critical guarantor of European security. Its military presence and commitments are central to the continent's defense architecture.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

The Future of European Security

European security architecture has been reshaped repeatedly since 1945: first by the Cold War division and the parallel rise of NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact, then by the post-1991 enlargement of NATO and the EU eastward, and most recently by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Helsinki Final Act (1975) and the Charter of Paris (1990) had codified principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders — principles that Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its 2022 invasion explicitly violated. The OSCE, once the central forum for pan-European dialogue, has been largely paralyzed by Russian obstruction. The war in Ukraine triggered the accession of Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) to NATO, ending decades of formal non-alignment, and pushed European states to raise defense spending toward and above the 2% GDP benchmark. Hybrid threats — sabotage of undersea cables, GPS jamming in the Baltic, disinformation, and weaponized migration on the Belarusian border — have blurred the line between war and peace. Debate now centers on how to deter further Russian aggression, how to integrate Ukraine into the European security order, and how to manage the prospect of reduced U.S. engagement under shifting Washington administrations.

Key players

European Defense and Industrial Capacity

European defense has historically rested on national militaries embedded within NATO, with the United States providing the bulk of strategic enablers — intelligence, air defense, long-range fires, and the nuclear umbrella. EU efforts at defense integration progressed slowly through the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP, 1999), the European Defence Agency (2004), and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO, 2017), but member states guarded national prerogatives and procurement remained fragmented across dozens of incompatible platforms. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine exposed acute shortfalls: depleted munitions stockpiles, thin air defenses, and a defense industrial base sized for peacetime. The European Peace Facility has reimbursed lethal aid to Ukraine; the EU's Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) aim to scale output. In March 2025 the Commission unveiled the ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030 plan, proposing up to €800 billion in additional defense investment. Open questions include whether to prioritize buying European versus interoperable Allied systems, how to finance common procurement (joint borrowing remains politically contested), and how to integrate Ukraine's combat-tested industry into European supply chains.

Key players

The European Economy and Security

The European economy has faced compounding shocks since 2020: the COVID-19 recession, the post-pandemic inflation surge, and the energy crisis triggered by Russia's weaponization of gas supplies in 2022. The EU responded with NextGenerationEU (€750bn recovery fund), REPowerEU to diversify away from Russian hydrocarbons, and an unprecedented sanctions regime against Moscow including the freezing of roughly €300bn in Russian central bank assets, mostly held at Euroclear in Belgium. Energy prices have since normalized but at structurally higher levels than the pre-war baseline, weighing on European industrial competitiveness, particularly in Germany. The Draghi report (September 2024) warned that the EU is falling behind the United States and China in productivity, innovation, and clean-tech investment, and called for roughly €750–800 billion in additional annual investment. Tensions with China over electric vehicles, solar panels, and critical raw materials have led to EU countervailing duties and a renewed focus on economic security and de-risking. The intersection with security policy is now explicit: financing rearmament, the use of windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, and the resilience of supply chains for semiconductors, rare earths, and pharmaceuticals are debated as national-security issues.

Key players

European Strategic Autonomy

The concept of European strategic autonomy emerged in the 2016 EU Global Strategy and was championed by France under President Macron, particularly after his 2017 Sorbonne speech and his 2019 characterization of NATO as experiencing 'brain death.' The idea — that Europe should be able to act independently in defense, technology, energy, and economic policy — was historically resisted by Atlanticist member states (notably Poland and the Baltics) who feared it would weaken U.S. commitment to European security. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine paradoxically both reinforced reliance on Washington and accelerated calls for European capacity to act alone if necessary. The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency in January 2025, accompanied by direct questioning of NATO's Article 5 commitment, conditional support for Ukraine, and tariff threats against European partners, has shifted the debate decisively. Even traditionally Atlanticist capitals now discuss European nuclear deterrence options, independent satellite and intelligence capabilities (IRIS², Galileo), payment systems shielded from secondary sanctions, and reduced dependence on U.S. cloud and AI infrastructure. The core tension remains whether 'autonomy' means duplicating American capabilities, complementing them, or replacing them — and whether the EU's decision-making structures, which require consensus on foreign and security policy, can move at the speed events demand.

Key players

European Foreign Policy in a Contested Order

EU foreign policy is conducted under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) framework established by the Maastricht Treaty (1993) and strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty (2009), which created the High Representative and the European External Action Service. CFSP decisions require unanimity among member states, a rule that has repeatedly enabled single-state vetoes — most visibly Hungary's on Ukraine aid, sanctions packages, and enlargement steps. Calls to extend qualified majority voting to foreign policy have grown but face resistance from smaller member states wary of being outvoted. The EU faces a simultaneously contested neighborhood and a fragmenting global order: war in Ukraine, instability in the Sahel after successive coups and the withdrawal of French and UN forces, the Israel–Hamas war and its regional spillover, migration pressure across the Mediterranean, and intensifying U.S.–China rivalry that complicates Europe's largest trading relationship. Enlargement has returned to the agenda with candidate status for Ukraine, Moldova, and (conditionally) Georgia, alongside the long-stalled Western Balkans track. The central debate is how a 27-member union — soon potentially larger — can act coherently and quickly enough to defend its interests when major powers, including allies, increasingly treat the rules-based order as optional.

Key players

Resources

News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for Conferência "O Futuro da Segurança da Europa".

Recent reporting to ground your prep

Trump's Economic Reset

GOP Promotes Trump's Tax Savings on Deadline

Howard Lutnick's Senate Testimony on 2027 Bud

Arming an archipelago: Is time running out for Europe's oldest DMZ? | Euronews

Lessons

Bite-sized lessons to build the basics

Hidden Stakeholders

Engagement Strategies

Dynamic Analysis

Stakeholder Mapping Workshop

Courses

Guided courses that go deeper on the topic

Policy Brief Writing

Advanced Negotiation

Multilateral Negotiation

Conflict Resolution

The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Portugal January 2026

By committee

Frequently asked questions

Conferência "O Futuro da Segurança da Europa"

Jan 27, 2026Lisboa, PortugalIn-person

Registration open

Committees & topics

Topics
The Future of European Security · European Defense and Industrial Capacity · The European Economy and Security · European Strategic Autonomy · European Foreign Policy in a Contested Order

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 6 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Portugal

As the host nation, PRT will likely emphasize a cooperative approach to European security, advocating for multilateral solutions and a strong role for international institutions.

Role in topic

France

FRA is expected to advocate for strengthening European strategic autonomy and defense capabilities, potentially emphasizing a more independent European defense posture.

Role in topic

Germany

DEU will likely focus on collective security within existing frameworks like NATO, while also emphasizing diplomatic solutions and economic stability as pillars of security.

Role in topic

Poland

POL will likely highlight concerns regarding eastern European security, advocating for robust deterrence and a strong transatlantic link with the USA.

Role in topic

United Kingdom

GBR will likely emphasize its role as a significant European security actor outside the EU, focusing on bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation.

Role in topic

Despite its departure from the European Union, GBR remains a major military power and a key contributor to European security through NATO and other bilateral defense agreements.

United States

The USA will likely reiterate its commitment to European security through NATO, emphasizing burden-sharing and collective defense.

Role in topic

The USA is a foundational member of NATO and a critical guarantor of European security. Its military presence and commitments are central to the continent's defense architecture.