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2025 Concordia Europe Summit Featured Sessions

June 8-10, 2025

London, United kingdom

The Modern Race to Space: Solutions to Safeguard The Final Frontier

The exploration of outer space is one of humankind’s greatest triumphs. However, as technology develops and the number of state and non-state space actors increases, space is becoming crowded, contested and controversial, bringing new and developing strategic security risks. Situated at the nexus of technology, space, and security, this session examines how the growing space tech ecosystem is becoming a cornerstone of shared defence objectives. With much of Europe’s digital sovereignty tied to advancements in space, cooperation across nations, institutions, and industries is driving innovative solutions to protect this critical domain. The conversation will address threats to space security and the potential for multilateral solutions for Europe to advance its foreign and defence policies while contributing to a more secure and united global approach to safeguarding the final frontier.

What Does the City of the Future Look Like?

By 2030, 60% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities, making our urban centres a critical place to meet mounting social and environmental demands. Green infrastructure hardware including data and AI, net-zero mobility, waste disposal, energy and charging, sustainable business ecosystems, and a safe public realm with green spaces and affordable urban housing all contribute to the creation of green jobs, improved quality of life and health outcomes, and less inequality among citizens. Transformative and innovative approaches to how the cities of the future are built, managed, and developed will require collaboration across the private, third, and public sectors from the city to supranational levels. What lessons can London learn and share with others on the charge to a smart, sustainable and more inclusive city by 2030? How can cities leverage expertise and resources to cut emissions while delivering innovative infrastructure services? What will the role of creative placemaking, culture and the arts be? How can we design cities with future generations, an ageing population and women at the centre?  

The UK in Europe and the World: Driving Economic Growth through Innovation and the Creative Industries

The United Kingdom faces a pivotal moment in redefining its economic and trade relationships while maintaining its position as a global economic leader. How can we position the UK and London as a global trade and investment hub by building strategic global partnerships, leveraging its vibrant startup ecosystem, thriving SMEs, and world-class creative industries to drive sustainable economic growth? This session will examine strategies to collaborate and compete in the post-Brexit landscape, particularly the future of the EU and it’s important transatlantic relationship, focusing on how these sectors can serve as economic engines for future prosperity. What policies and initiatives are needed to support SMEs in navigating new EU trade rules and regulations? How can the UK’s thriving creative industries drive growth and serve as a bridge for cultural and economic collaboration? How will the UK-US trade partnership change amidst new administrations? And, how can the UK build robust trade partnerships across the world to bolster economic resilience and expand global influence?