In a context of new industrial policies being developed by the European Commission, a shift in focus from the European Green Deal to competitiveness, and growing international geoeconomic tensions, it is essential to engage in constructive and multi-stakeholder discussions on industrial policy. 

Since the release of the Draghi report one year ago, competitiveness has become the main theme of the European Commission. However, the definition of competitiveness remains fuzzy and the narrative around it problematic. In the name of competitiveness, different initiatives are advanced that entail deregulation and backtracking on green commitments. In other cases, we see calls for channelling subsidies to large incumbent companies. While the Clean Industrial Deal seeks to bring together climate and competitiveness concerns, its implementation will face many challenges. 

The conference will discuss the goals of the European industrial policy and explore the necessary combination of the clean, just and competitive dimensions. What is competitiveness and its role in achieving European policy objectives? How can industrial policies be shaped in a way that supports a just transition, including accelerated decarbonisation, workers’ rights and an enhanced quality of life and environment for all? What should be the EU’s goals and vision for trade, in coherence with its industrial policy and just transition?

To explore these questions, the policy conference will bring together a wide array of speakers, from high-level political figures to trade union representatives, civil society experts and academic researchers. The conference will propose evidence-based analyses on the state and needs of the EU’s industrial policies, debates between political, industry and civil society representatives, and stimulating discussions on different topics such as decarbonisation, competitiveness, labour markets, trade and circularity. The programme will include different formats: keynote speeches, panel discussions, presentations and smaller interactive sessions. 

Speakers will include: 

• Kathleen Van Brempt, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on International Trade

• Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on International Trade

• Isabelle Schömann, Deputy General Secretary, ETUC

• Ludovic Voet, Confederal Secretary, ETUC

• Elizabeth Baltzan, former Senior Advisor to the US Trade Representative

• Jörg Wojahn, Head of Unit, Bilateral relations in Trade and Sustainable Development, European Commission

• Estelle Goeger, Member of Cabinet, Executive Vice President Séjourné, European Commission

• Damian Murphy, Senior Vice President, National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress (CAP)

• Axel Eggert, Director General, Eurofer 

• Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary, IndustriAll 

• Lucie Studničná, President of the Workers Group, European Economic and Social Committee

• Luca Menesini, President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions

• Guillermo Peláez Alvarez, Regional Minister for Finance, Justice and European Affairs, Government of the Principality of Asturias

• Ryan Mullholand, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress (CAP)

• Werner Raza, Director of the Austrian Research Foundation for International Development (ÖFSE)

• Sören Borghardt, Senior Advisor at Stiftung Klimaneutralität

• Patrick Kaczmarczyk, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Mannheim

• Marine Courmont Lelieur, Head of European and International Affairs, Institut National de l’Economie Circulaire (INEC)

The conference is organised by FEPS and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), in collaboration with the S&D Group in the European Parliament, PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), IndustriAll Europe, and SOLIDAR.

The event is public and a provisional agenda is available here. Kindly note that, since it is hosted at the European Committee of the Regions, only registered participants will be able to attend. Spots are limited, so please register as soon as possible! You will receive a confirmation regarding your registration by 17 September 2025 at the latest.