Agenda

Registration & Welcome Coffee Break

VIP Address - Keynote speech

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary

VIP Address - Keynote speech

Timčo Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, North Macedonia

Plenary Panel Discussion | From Hegemony to Harmony: Navigating the New Multipolar Maze

The world is witnessing a fundamental recalibration of global power dynamics, as traditional Western-centric governance frameworks face unprecedented challenges from emerging powers and evolving geopolitical realities. This multipolar transformation has revealed the structural inadequacies of norms and governance frameworks designed for the mid-twentieth century. Both the Global South and established power centres, in search of more pragmatic and interest-driven partnerships, are choosing to invest diplomatic capital in smaller, agile groupings. This panel will explore how nations are seeking out more effective mechanisms for international collaboration within an evolving multipolar order.

• Is the rise of pragmatic, interest-based coalitions a sign of healthy pluralism or a harbinger of global disorder and transactional geopolitics?
• Does the Global South genuinely possess the will and the ability to reshape the international order, or are we witnessing a new era of “managed multipolarity” dictated by the few?
• What is the future of global public goods like climate, health, and technology, when no single power is willing or able to underwrite them?

Speakers

Arta Moeini, Research Director, Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, United States

Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman, Observer Research Foundation, India

Sébastien Boussois, President, Institut Géopolitique Européen, Belgium 

Victoria Panova, Head of BRICS Expert Council; Vice Rector, Higher School of Economics, Russia

Moderator

Balázs Tárnok, Director of Research, John Lukács Institute for Strategy and Politics, Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary

Plenary Panel Discussion | Bridge, Player or Bystander: Crafting a West-South Economic Compact

Rising rivalries among major powers are straining the global economy and risk fragmenting the global financial system, dismantling trade norms, and triggering protectionist tariffs and competitive industrial policies. However, as the old economic order collapses—as a reaction to unregulated globalisation—it is important to also recognise and preserve some of its benefits for both the developed and the developing world. Given this background, is it now time to explore a new West-South compact that rewrites the norms of the new global economy but also ensures the continuity of some advantages of the old one? This panel discusses the ongoing dismantling of the old economic order and the potential avenues for West-South cooperation to build a more inclusive form of globalisation. 

• As big power rivalry engulfs the global economy, how can other powers ensure that looming economic fragmentation does not result in a race to the bottom and permanently damage their developmental and growth prospects? 
• From the perspective of emerging and developing economies, what are some of the core features of the declining globalisation era that should be restored in the new order?
• What are the kinds of political, economic, and legal arrangements that need to be negotiated regarding the cross-border movement of labour, that meaningfully address the ethnocultural concerns of the West, as well as the surplus labour of the South? 

Speakers

Andreas Schaal, Director, OECD Global Relations and Co-operation; Director, OECD Sherpa, France

Szabolcs Pásztor, Research Director, Oeconomus Research Foundation, Hungary 

Emilian Kavalski, Professor, Jagiellonian University, Poland 

Shihoko Goto, Senior Fellow, Mansfield Foundation, United States

Kwame Owino, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya

Moderator

Symeon G. Tsomokos, Founder and President, Delphi Economic Forum, Greece

Conversations over Lunch 1 | Brussels v. Silicon Valley: Navigating the Innovation-Regulation Divide

(Parallel Session; By invitation only)

The EU faces a perplexing contradiction: it has emerged as the preeminent global regulator of modern technologies and the norms and ethics around their usage, and yet, none of the major global tech giants originates from Europe. Almost all the major tech giants are American multinational corporations. This feature of the transatlantic relationship puts the interests of Silicon Valley’s tech companies at loggerheads with the EU’s regulators, with the former desiring to be as lightly regulated as possible. Additionally, the complete absence of a competitive tech industry in Europe further adds to the asymmetry in the U.S.-EU relationship. This roundtable will explore the challenges the EU faces in navigating this paradox, how the competing interests of Silicon Valley and Brussels can further derail the transatlantic relationship, and the reforms European nations need to undertake to build their competitive tech sector.

• Considering the significant representation of the U.S. tech industry within the Trump administration, how will the EU’s future efforts to regulate American Big Tech impact the transatlantic ties? 
• Going ahead, can the EU’s institutions, such as the European Commission (EC) and the European Court of Justice (ECJ), shift towards more light-touch regulations, minimising transatlantic frictions?
• How can European economies correct this tech asymmetry with the U.S. and incentivise the emergence of their own Silicon Valley? 

Speakers

Szabolcs Szolnoki, Deputy State Secretary for Technology, Ministry for National Economy, Hungary

Maggie Sprenger, Cofounder and General Partner, Audere Capital, United States

Paul Walf, Chief Executive Officer, Rheinmetall, Hungary 

Zsigmond Perényi, Former Secretary of State, Hungary

István Sárhegyi, CEO at 4iG Space & Defence; Group Deputy CEO, 4iG, Hungary 

Moderator

Laura Mahrenbach, Adjunct Professor, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Conversations over Lunch 2 | Local Interests, Global Bridges: Redefining Infrastructure Investments

(Parallel Session; By invitation only)

As the global economy evolves, frictionless and sustainable connectivity has emerged as a source of efficiency and growth. Facilitating physical and digital links drives economic growth and empowers communities. However, at the same time, global infrastructure finance is increasingly tied to great power politics. Funding projects across the world is seen by major powers as an instrument of expanding their sphere of influence. In this context, it is crucial that these connectivity projects balance local interests and needs over geopolitical competition. This roundtable will examine how financing connectivity projects have emerged as the new site of great power competition and the probable ways to safeguard local interests in this paradigm.

• How can developing and emerging economies access global infrastructure finance while ensuring that they do not get embroiled in geopolitical competition? 
• How can contracts be designed to prevent “hidden clauses” and safeguard the interests of the host country and its people?
• Given that Europe’s developmental funds are one of the leading sources of global connectivity finance, how can the EU and its member-states ensure that these do not become sources of political contestation–enforcing one’s norms on the other? 

Speakers

Alimnazar Islamkulov, Director of the Transformation Centre, Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan

Ardian Hackaj, Director of Cooperation and Development Institute, Albania

Sara Ahmadian, Founder, Amar Ventures, United States of America

Stephanie Hunt, Litigator, International Arbitrator and Mediator, Australia

Moderator

Lilla Bánkuty-Balogh, Head of Center for Global Economy, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary

Plenary Panel Discussion | Divided Atlantic: The Future of Transatlantic Relations

Over the past decade, cultural polarisation has emerged as the fundamental fault line in American politics. With the rise of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, American culture wars are now affecting the transatlantic relationship and even domestic politics in the European Union (EU). The U.S. cultural divides highlight similar issues in Europe, such as supranational authority, migration, economic sovereignty, and the role of cultural values in society. This panel will explore how American culture wars are spilling over into the transatlantic relationship and impacting intra-European politics.

• As President Trump reconfigures the transatlantic relationship, how would America’s domestic cultural narratives affect the ties between the EU and the U.S.?
• Given similar cultural divides in Europe, will the Trump presidency and the ascent of the MAGA movement also reconfigure domestic alliances within the EU along the lines of pro- and anti-Trump blocs? 
• Trump’s close aides regularly comment on domestic European politics. Can such interventions further damage already strained transatlantic ties? 

Speakers

István Stumpf, Member of the Prime Minister’s Strategic Advisory Board, Hungary

Phillip Linderman, Fellow, Ben Franklin Fellowship, United States

Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and Americas Programme, Chatham House, United Kingdom 

George Beebe, Director of Grand Strategy Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, United States 

Moderator

István Kiss, Executive Director, Danube Institute, Hungary 

Plenary Panel Discussion | Connectivity Choices: The Key to Sovereignty in the Twenty-First Century

In a multipolar world, the choices that states make about connectivity, whether physical infrastructure like transport and energy networks, or digital and economic ties, determine their ability to protect sovereignty and project power. By embedding diverse partnerships in their connectivity strategies, nations can navigate geo-economic contestation and manage the risks caused by geopolitical decoupling. But interconnectedness can also create new vulnerabilities and expose countries to networks that could be weaponised. This panel explores how national planners are using strategic connectivity to strengthen their sovereignty, while mitigating risks.

• How can states use connectivity to amplify their geopolitical influence in a multipolar world? Where does it feature in their economic security strategies, and how are they seeking to make themselves indispensable partners?
• Given the threat posed to open connectivity networks by the formation of global blocs, how can nations retain the benefits of openness and strategic autonomy? How are nations seeking to protect critical infrastructure in a divided world?
• How can countries reliant on neighbours for market access ensure resilient and diversified supply chains?

Speakers

Rami Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, India

Tonny Dian Effendi, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia

János Csák, Former Minister of Culture and Innovation, Hungary

Ken Jimbo, Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University; Managing Director, International House of Japan, Japan

Mentor Beqa, Executive Director, Sami Frasheri Institute, Albania

Moderator

Noémi Pálfalvi, Director of International Relations, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary 

Plenary Panel Discussion | Global Crossroads: CEE, the Balkans & the Caucasus in the New World Order

As the focus of global power shifts, Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus are emerging as pivotal arenas in a rapidly evolving world order. These regions are not only crossroads of commerce and culture, but also battlegrounds for influence among global and regional power, areas where renewed great power rivalries, shifting transatlantic relations, and an intensifying competition for energy security are altering the political and economic landscape. This panel will examine how regional actors are managing these complex dynamics and redefining their roles as the United States, the EU, Russia and China all intersect in the complex world of Central and Eastern Europe.

Are the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus genuinely exercising agency, or are they simply being forced to choose between competing imperial projects, old and new?

Can regional cooperation frameworks offer a credible alternative to formal EU or NATO integration, or do they risk deepening fragmentation and external dependency?

As the world fragments into competing blocs, can these regions force a genuine redistribution of power in continental politics?

Speakers

Rusif Huseynov, Cofounder and Director, Topchubashov Center, Azerbaijan

Ivica Bocevski, Ambassador, Former Deputy Prime Minister, North Macedonia

Matthew Boyse, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, United States

Nina Sajić, Chair, Institute of Political Science, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dalibor Jurášek, Adviser to the Prime Minister; Vice-Chairman, Institute for Paradigmatic Reforms, Slovakia

Moderator

Ágnes Vass, Research Director, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary 

Transition time

Dinner

Discussions over Dinner 1 | Fuels and Futures: Energy, Geopolitics and Growth

(Parallel Session; By invitation only)

Policymakers across the world know that secure and affordable energy is vital if their peoples’ expectations of rising living standards are to be satisfied. But nations’ access to energy is increasingly constrained by both geopolitics and climate-related regulations. These constraints can create deep and enduring differences in international competitiveness and complicate the transition to sustainable fuels. This roundtable will examine how countries are seeking out new partnerships that might help them navigate an increasingly complicated energy landscape.

• How does differential access to energy sources – from bridge fuels to nuclear, solar, wind, and hydropower – shape geopolitical strategies and convergences today? 
• How are politics and policy responding to artificial differences in competitiveness created by differential access to energy? 
• Does the regulatory environment and the vulnerable supply chain for renewable energy complicate the global transition to greener energy, and what mechanisms are being evolved to overcome these obstacles?

Speakers

Herbert Krapa, Former Minister of Energy, Ghana

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament, India

Calum Nicholson, Director of Research, Danube Institute, Hungary

Damjan Krnjević, Director for Policy Research and Publications, Institute for Development and Diplomacy; Professor of Practice, ADA University, Azerbaijan

Travis Kavulla, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, NRG Energy, United States

Moderator 

Blanka Kovács, Political Advisor, State Secretariat  for Circular Economy and Climate Policy, Ministry of Energy, Hungary 

Discussions over Dinner 2 | Trade in Transition: Tariffs and the Next Global Economy

(Parallel Session; By invitation only)

The global trading system is at an inflection point. Nations working to address the loss of critical industries, vulnerabilities in globalised supply chains, and national security concerns have caused trade dynamics to shift. From the resurgence of industrial policy in advanced economies to the reshaping of trade networks across continents, geopolitical contestation serves as the crucible for the next global economy. This panel will explore how governments, businesses, and multilateral institutions can balance the need  for economic resilience, secure supply chains, and sustained growth in a rapidly evolving trade environment.

• Can a new framework for global commerce emerge that strengthens national economies while fostering cooperation? Will institutions like the WTO adapt to support this balance or risk becoming outdated?
• As advanced economies invest in rebuilding industrial capacity and securing supply chains, how can emerging markets seize opportunities to strengthen their role in global value chains?
• What are the broader implications of these shifts for consumers, innovation, and the world’s most vulnerable populations?

Speakers

Géza Sebestyén, Head of Economic Policy Center, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary 

Kimlong Chheng, Director, Center for Governance Innovation and Democracy; President, Asian Vision Institute, Cambodia

Philip Pilkington, Senior Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary 

​​Steffen Hindelang, Professor of International Investment and Trade Law, Uppsala University, Sweden

Warwick Powell, Executive Chairman, Smart Trade Networks, Australia

Moderator

Mariann Őry, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Eurasia magazine, Hungary 

Transition

Fireside Discussion | Valuing Values: What Can Unify Our Societies?

Disenchantment with technocratic liberalism is a common theme in the politics of the democratic world. A long period of apparent unanimity in the political class over economic and social issues has been forced to an end by voters: But it is far from clear what will replace it, and how these divided societies can be repaired. This free-wheeling conversation over cocktails will examine what role values will play in this effort of social renewal, and how our frayed societies can be made whole again.

• Was the failure of the post-Cold War global order born of economic or social policy? Did leaders fail to provide an adequate standard of living, or were voters reacting to their failure to provide a cohesive and empowering national identity? 
• In an increasingly irreligious and individualistic age, how can we rediscover the social solidarity required to support effective states? 
• ⁠Can stable economic relations and political trust be built between groups and polities that have radically different organizing principles and basic values?

Speakers

Matthew Goodwin, Presenter, GB News, and editor of the Matt Goodwin Substack, United Kingdom; Visiting Fellow, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary 

Anthony Dworkin, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations, United States

Stefania Benaglia, Foreign Policy Expert and Advisor, Belgium

Liliana Śmiech, Director General for International Affairs, Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary

Peter Boghossian, Author and Philosopher, United States

Moderator

Calum Nicholson, Director of Research, Danube Institute, Hungary

Registration & Welcome Coffee Break

In Conversation

Speaker

John Mearsheimer, R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor, Political Science Department, University of Chicago, United States 

Balázs Orbán, Political Director of the Prime Minister, Hungary 

Moderator

Tamás Baranyi, Director for Strategy, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Plenary Panel Discussion | EU in Pieces: Navigating Collectives and Sovereignty

The European Union’s intricate and fragmented structure, with its overlapping authorities and strong supranational framework, often challenges the sovereignty of its member states, creating friction for both European nations and global partners. For countries that value national autonomy, this centralisation can sometimes overshadow the priorities of individual nations. Meanwhile, foreign capitals find it difficult to navigate the EU’s complex system, uncertain whether to engage with Brussels or individual governments. To address this issue of institutional complexity, a reformed EU could better balance the authority of member states with cooperative goals. This panel will explore the challenges posed by the EU’s supranational framework and discuss potential solutions to strengthen national sovereignty while fostering collaboration.

• How does the EU’s complicated organisational structure result in contentious intra-European politics and induce inefficiencies within the single market? 
• Does the fragmentation of authority between Brussels and other EU capitals adversely impact Europe’s role on the global stage?
• Is it time for the union to consider a more varied membership system, which allows its constituents to choose the level of integration they are comfortable with?

Speakers

Boglárka Ballester-Bólya, Ministerial Commissioner, Hungary

Philipp Siegert, Deputy Research Director, Mathias Corvinus Collegium Brussels, Belgium

Jerzy Kwaśniewski, Cofounder and President of the Board, Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture, Poland

Ana Miguel dos Santos, Former Member of Parliament, Portugal 

Radomir Tylecote, Managing Director, Prosperity Institute, United Kingdom

Moderator

Ákos Mernyei, Adviser to the President and Senior Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Plenary Panel Discussion | Bridging Continents: Opportunities in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor

The world’s trade arteries are being redrawn and reimagined. As globalisation splinters and new corridors of power emerge, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) stands out as a bold experiment. It intends to shape the next era of Eurasian integration by reimagining the flows of goods, energy, and data across continents. For Hungary and Central Europe, this moment is both an invitation and a challenge. As traditional supply chains face disruption and new standards for connectivity are debated, Hungary’s ambition to serve as a regional logistics and digital hub places it at the heart of this unfolding story. The country’s evolving infrastructure, its airports, railways, and potential new seaport links could transform it from a peripheral actor to a critical gateway for IMEC’s European ambitions. This panel will explore how IMEC’s vision of seamless, rules-based connectivity can be reconciled with the realities of regulatory divergence, technological contestation, and shifting alliances.

• What strategic imperatives drive IMEC, and how do they reflect the shifting priorities of India, the Gulf, Europe, and the United States in a more fragmented world?
• What models of public-private partnership and international cooperation can IMEC pioneer to attract investment, foster innovation, and ensure the delivery of economic and strategic dividends?
• How can Hungary and Central Europe position themselves as indispensable nodes in IMEC, and what structural changes are needed to realise this ambition?

Speakers

Péter Garai, Chief Executive Officer, Adria Port Inc., Hungary 

Nicolas Buchoud, Founding Principal, Renaissance Urbaine, France

Bharat Ramanan, Group Director, Government Relations & Geopolitics, DP World, United Arab Emirates

Moderator

Carlos Roa, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute, Hungary

Conversations over Lunch 1 | The New Frontiers of Power: Technology and Geopolitics

(Parallel session; By invite only)

Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced telecommunications, and space technologies are no longer mere tools of innovation, but are at the heart of the national project. They are not just opportunities for growth and jobs, but new frontiers for geopolitical contestation and conflict. AI, in particular, has rapidly become a key driver of geopolitical power, where nations are competing to innovate faster and better. The global race to dominate these new frontiers of economic and political power is increasingly becoming contentious and poses the danger of escalating to more lethal conflicts. This roundtable examines how the new frontiers of technology are driving geopolitical competition and the institutional arrangements required to ensure that states adhere to some basic norms of engagement.

• How is the global race for domination over the new-age technological arenas altering the character of inter-state rivalries, and what are the threats it poses to the global security order? 
• How does this techno-era of big power competition differ from the more traditional contestations over territory and hard power that had defined geopolitics over the past few centuries? 
• What role can the multilateral and plurilateral institutions play to ensure that these geopolitical contestations are managed?

Speakers

John Pang,  Senior Fellow, Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific, Malaysia

Nandini Tandon, Cofounder, Global Chief Executive Officer, IndUS Setu Global Foundation, United States

Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy, Founder, Brain Bar, Hungary

Yasmine Moezinia, Director, Sequoia Climate Foundation, United States

Moderator

Ramachandra Byrappa, Senior Research Fellow, Research Center Coordinator, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Conversations over Lunch 2 | A Thousand Days of War: Ukraine and the Future of Europe

(Parallel session; By invite only)

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to reshape Europe’s political dynamics, security alliances, and long-term priorities. Contrasting approaches to the war and Ukraine’s future have driven a wedge between the European Union and the United States, and are even the subject of disagreement within Europe. The nations of the Global South have also failed to side with one bloc or another, seeking above all a return to the sort of peace and normalcy they need for economic stability and development. This roundtable will seek to tease out the different perspectives on how the war in Ukraine can end, what a sustainable peace might look like, and who has a stake in its successful resolution.

• Has the Ukraine war returned us to a world defined by spheres of influence? In which case, can Europe carve out a sphere of influence of its own, or is it condemned to being a tributary of China, the US—or Russia? 
• Will Europe be able to unite around a cohesive security strategy that responds to the weaknesses revealed in the past years of war, or has it been revealed to be a purely economic project? 
• How are nations defining and redefining their national interests in response to the Ukraine war? In a more dangerous world, would it be safer to find partners with sustained mutual interests rather than to seek strategic autonomy?

Speakers

Max Abrahms, Professor, Northeastern University, United States

Ian Proud, Director, Diplomatic Excellence Ltd., United Kingdom

Paul du Quenoy, President, Palm Beach Freedom Institute, United States

Balázs Jarábik, Analyst and Diplomat, Slovakia 

Moderator

Anton Bendarzsevszkij, Director, Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation, Hungary 

Plenary Panel Discussion | From Global to Local: The Return of Borders

As the certainties of the post-Cold War era recede, the forces of globalisation that once promised a borderless world are giving way to a resurgence of boundaries, both visible and invisible. In Westphalia 2.0, borders are no longer merely lines on a map: They are reimagined and reinforced through economic policy, digital sovereignty, technological standards, and ideological contestation. Tariff walls, regulatory firewalls and data localisation mandates are fragmenting the seamless flows of goods, capital, information, and people that defined the previous era of integration. This panel will explore how the re-emergence of borders redefines globalisation, cooperation, conflict, and competition.

• Is the return of borders a temporary response to geopolitical shocks or a structural shift towards a more fragmented, multipolar world? 
• Are we witnessing the end of the age of shared prosperity and global integration? Is there still space for a vision of globalisation that balances security, sovereignty, and openness?
• Can the reassertion of sovereignty and the proliferation of new borders coexist with the demands of global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and transnational security threats?

Speakers

Matthias Bauer, Director, European Centre for International Political Economy, Belgium

Thomas Grischany, Professor, Webster Vienna Private University; Research Assistant, Freiheitliches Bildungsinstitut, Austria

Daniele Scalea, President, Machiavelli Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Italy

Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Nigeria 

Moderator

Șuay Nilhan Açıkalın, Associate Professor, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Turkey

Plenary Panel Discussion | Riding the Indo-Pacific Wave: Charting New Pathways for Growth

From renewable energy to chip fabrication to the hub of global production networks, the primary agents of growth and innovation are countries of the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, barring some pockets, nation-states across the West are in dire need of new and sustainable drivers of growth and productivity. In this context, the West must reimagine the Indo-Pacific beyond the existing stereotypes of an outsourcing hub and recognise it as a dynamic region of dense supply chain networks, modern connectivity and rapid growth. Any meaningful reform of the multilateral system must also begin by acknowledging the eastward shift in global distribution of power. This panel will discuss the West’s Indo-Pacific strategy in the rapidly evolving world order.

• What would a Western pivot toward the Indo-Pacific mean, both for the region as well as for the West’s traditional European allies?
• Given that growth has significantly slowed down across many of the Western nations, how can it engage with the dynamic economies of the Indo-Pacific to revive its economic momentum? 
• How can Western economies and their firms engage with the Indo-Pacific markets, which would allow them to scale their technologies but maintain more equitable relationships? 

Speakers

Márton Ugrósdy, Deputy State Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Hungary 

Kei Hakata, Professor, Seikei University, Japan

Andrew Hawley, Cofounder and Managing Partner, Ghost Partners, New Zealand

Jagannath Panda, Head of Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, Institute for Security and Development Policy, India 

Stephen R. Nagy, Professor, Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University, Japan

Moderator

Angelina Nagy, Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Plenary Panel Discussion Rethinking Global Security Architecture: A Path Toward Peace

The global security architecture established after World War II, anchored in deterrence, alliances, and the primacy of state sovereignty, now faces unprecedented challenges. Today’s threats are no longer confined to conventional military confrontations; they are complex, transnational, and often anonymous, emerging as cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns, and the expanding influence of non-state actors. As these challenges transcend borders and traditional frameworks, there is an urgent need to build resilient, contextually grounded systems that place peacebuilding at their core. This requires a holistic approach that meaningfully integrates security, development, and governance, ensuring that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, inclusion, and opportunity.

• In a multipolar, digital world where diverse actors hold competing visions, how do we navigate the coexistence and sometimes collision of multiple definitions of ‘peace’?
• What practical pathways exist for integrating security, development, and governance in ways that address the root causes of instability and foster lasting, inclusive peace?
• As threats become increasingly borderless and power structures shift, who is best positioned to mediate peacebuilding efforts, and how can new forms of leadership and collaboration be cultivated?

Speakers

Moussa Mara, Former Prime Minister, Mali

John Griffiths-Spielman, Former Lieutenant General; Head of Security and Defence Studies, AthenaLab Foundation, Chile

Nicholas Naquin, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute, Hungary   

Csaba Rada, Head of Department for Security Policy and Non Proliferation  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary 

Moderator

Péter Siklósi, Senior Research Fellow and Research Center Coordinator, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary 

Valedictory Address & Closing Remarks

Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, India

Gladden Pappin, President, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Transition

Gala Dinner Cultural Program

Transatlantic Power Plays

The transatlantic partnership which has underlaid global security since 1945 has frayed but remains salvageable through strategic reforms and political recommitment. As the order unravels, this cornerstone of American foreign policy is poised for redefinition, reshaping transatlantic relations and international dynamics.

• What political recalibration must America and Europe undertake to reconcile diverging priorities on defence, trade, and strategic autonomy?
• What role can Europe play in reducing tensions between the U.S., China, and Russia, and how might European diplomatic efforts contribute to stabilising these complex relationships?
• How can transatlantic relations accommodate the rising influence of emerging economies, and what role can multilateral platforms like the G20 play in fostering a more inclusive global governance framework?

Speakers

Matthew Boyse, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, United States of America

Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and Americas programme, Chatham House, United Kingdom 

Moderator

Carlos Roa, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute, Hungary

Reimagining Bretton Woods

The global order, once firmly anchored by the Bretton Woods framework, is now at a crossroads. As new economic powers rise and global challenges multiply, these foundational institutions must be fundamentally revitalised for a new era, or risk sliding into obsolescence.

• Can the existing architecture adapt to multipolarity, or are we witnessing the end of Western-led global economic governance?
• Will the next global order be built on inclusive cooperation or entrenched competition between old and new powers?
• Is the world on the cusp of a global dollar reserve-currency reset? What are the implications on international finance and American power?

Speakers

Philip Pilkington, Senior Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

John Pang,  Senior Fellow, Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific, Malaysia

Moderator

Victoria Panova, Head, BRICS Expert Council; Vice Rector, HSE University; W20 Sherpa, Russia

Europe v. Big Tech

The EU has become a pioneering force in Big Tech regulation with regulations like  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). However, questions arise whether the EU's aggressive stance might stifle innovation, fragment markets, or push tech giants out of the region altogether.

• What are the unforeseen impacts of EU regulations on innovation ecosystems within Europe, particularly in terms of stifling technological advancements and affecting the competitiveness of European businesses?
• As the U.S. administration navigates its complex relationship with Big Tech, has Europe fully considered the geopolitical repercussions of its stringent regulatory approach, and how might this stance impact its position in the global tech landscape?
• How can the EU balance its regulatory framework with the need for agility in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, ensuring that innovation is fostered while maintaining consumer protection and fairness?

Speakers

Laura Mahrenbach, Adjunct Professor, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Natalia Hatalska, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, infuture.institute, Poland

Moderator

Maggie Sprenger, Co-founder and General Partner, Audere Capital, United States of America

Bridging East and West

The intensification of high-level visits and strategic dialogues between India and Western nations, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and the broader European community, marks a significant milestone in West–India relations. Discussions increasingly focus on potential free trade agreements, emerging technologies, and security cooperation, underscoring the growing breadth and depth of this strategic partnership.

• What are the critical areas where India and Western nations must focus their efforts to build a resilient and forward-looking partnership in the next decade?
• What are the obstacles in pursuing deeper economic integration between India and Western countries, including potential free trade agreements and investment flows?
• How can India and Western partners deepen their security and defense cooperation to address common threats like terrorism, cyber warfare, and maritime security?

Speakers

Sebastian Kurz, Former Chancellor, Austria

Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, India 

Moderator

Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman, Observer Research Foundation, India

The Danube to the Ganges

The relationship between Hungary and India stands as a testament to enduring friendship, shared values, and mutual respect. Rooted in historical solidarity, this partnership has evolved into a multifaceted forward-looking collaboration spanning politics, trade, technology, culture, and education.

• How can India and Hungary foster strategic partnerships in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, automotive and electric vehicle manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals to enhance mutual innovation and economic growth?
• In the face of global supply chain disruptions and the recalibration of economic policies by major powers, how can the two countries diversify their economic collaborations to strengthen resilience and foster sustainable growth?
• How can India and Hungary jointly promote peacebuilding initiatives in conflict zones like Ukraine, while navigating their respective geopolitical interests to contribute to global stability?

Speakers

Márton Ugrósdy, Deputy State Secretary, Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister, Hungary 

Rami Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, India

Moderator

László Csicsmann, Senior Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Crossing Borders, Balancing Interests

Contemporary migration dynamics present a complex interplay between national sovereignty, economic growth, security imperatives, and humanitarian considerations. As states navigate the challenges of managing migration flows, they face inherent tensions in balancing growth with social cohesion.

• How can states reconcile their labour market needs with public concerns about immigration, ensuring that economic requirements are met while addressing societal anxieties?
• What insights can be gleaned from historical migration crises to inform future policy-making on managing large-scale displacement, and how can these lessons enhance preparedness and response strategies?
• In what ways does irregular migration pose challenges to state sovereignty and security, and how can governments effectively counter organised crime networks involved in such activities?

Speakers

Moussa Mara, Former Prime Minister, Mali

Phillip Linderman, Board Member - Center for Immigration Studies, Ben Franklin Fellowship, United States of America

Moderator

Ana Miguel dos Santos, Former Member of the European Parliament, Portugal