Brussels Economic Security Forum
The Brussels Economic Security Forum (BESF) is Europe’s leading research initiative and high-level platform on economic security. Led by the European Policy Centre (EPC), it brings together industry leaders, EU institutions, member states, third-country governments, senior policymakers, experts and a global network of think-tank partners to shape Europe’s economic security agenda.
BESF serves as a year-long research and policy dialogue platform focused on developing practical approaches to safeguarding economic security while preserving international cooperation and open trade. In a world marked by geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions, technological competition and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, the Forum provides a space to rethink how Europe and its partners can build resilience without turning inward.
The annual summit is the Forum’s flagship moment. Following the inaugural edition in June 2025, which brought together more than 250 participants from six continents, the second Brussels Economic Security Forum took place in Brussels on 4–5 June 2026. It brought together ministers, senior policymakers, industry leaders and experts from around the world to debate pressing geo-economic challenges, enable high-level exchanges and develop forward-looking approaches to economic security.
The second edition also marked the launch of the Brussels Economic Security Review, a dedicated platform for deeper reflection on the intersection of geopolitics and economic security. Positioned between the immediacy of traditional media and the longer timelines of academic publishing, the Review brings together EPC analysts and European and international experts to offer rigorous yet accessible contributions to evolving policy debates. Its inaugural edition focused on the question of what is critical in an era of economic security, examining which resources and sectors Europe needs to safeguard.
Beyond the summit, BESF operates as a year-long research initiative under the framework of “Europe’s doctrine of collaborative interdependence in a fragmenting world”. Guided by the motto “Turning the tide. Collaborative interdependence. Open economic security.” the project seeks to reinvent global collaboration while addressing the vulnerabilities inherent in previous models of interdependence.
In 2026, BESF focused on three core priorities: critical infrastructure and cybersecurity; trade and industrial renewal; and technological competitiveness and sovereignty. It also exploring sectoral dimensions, including health and energy security.
For regular updates follow the BESF LinkedIn page.
