On 22-24 June 2026, nearly 100 opinion leaders from across Europe met in Warsaw to discuss the future of the European Union under the theme “Europe Under the Pressure of Enlargement.” The event was organized by the Centre for International Relations Foundation and THINKTANK Leaders Hub together with partners.
Following the January “Leaders Forum powered by Poland” in Davos, the June edition reversed the perspective: this time, Europe came to Poland. Heads of leading think tanks, ministers, diplomats, academics and business representatives from the European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and EEA countries sat down at a common table to discuss the future of Europe under the pressure of enlargement.
Among the keynote guests were, among others, Prof. Jerzy Buzek, former President of the European Parliament and Prime Minister of Poland, Clément Beaune, High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning of France, and Prince Michael von Liechtenstein. On Europe in turbulent times, Prince Michael of Liechtenstein spoke with Ambassador Janusz Reiter, founder of the Centre for International Relations and Katarzyna Lubnauer, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education. The discussion was moderated by Raphael Minder of the Financial Times.
The discussions focused on the enlargement of the European Union and its consequences, considered in four dimensions: the internal cohesion and reform of the Union, negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, European competitiveness, and the new security architecture and strategic autonomy in defence. Participants also debated in the “Weimar of Ideas” format under the theme “How can we implement the changes the EU needs?”, while the debate was complemented by perspectives on the Union from outside its borders.
Poland was represented by members of the government. Among them were Ignacy Niemczycki and Marcin Bosacki, Secretaries of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education. The discussion was also attended by Michał Baranowski(Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Development and Technology), Jurand Drop (Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Finance) and Jan Szyszko(Secretary of State, Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy). Among the Polish experts taking part were, among others, Prof. Danuta Hübner, former European Commissioner for Regional Policy and Trade, Konrad Szymański, former Minister for European Union Affairs and Maciej Witucki, President of BusinessEurope.
Warsaw also welcomed leaders of the European policy debate, including Grégoire Roos (Chatham House), Alexander Schallenberg (former Chancellor of Austria, Europe’s Futures Initiative), Karel Lannoo (CEPS) and Elena Lazarou (ELIAMEP). The Forum concluded with a meeting of participants at the Polish Parliament (Sejm) with MP Agnieszka Pomaska, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Union Affairs.
The strategic partners (founders) of the Leaders Forum project are companies that are showcases of Polish innovation: Autopay, Żabka Group and Adamed.The Leaders Forum: Better Europe event was also supported by the following partners: LOT Polish Airlines, the PZU Foundation, DHL, PKP Intercity and PKP. The academic partner is the University of Warsaw.
