Invitation: “25 years of Everything but Arms” event: Wednesday 4 November 2026

28.10.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to RWANDA

25 Years of Everything But Arms: International Partnerships Through Trade

On Wednesday 4 November 2026, the European Commission will host a high-level conference in Brussels to mark the 25th anniversary of the Everything But Arms arrangement and present the new EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences.

Conferences and summits

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026, 13:00-17:30 (CET)
Location: Hybrid – in the Alcide de Gasperi room, Charlemagne Building, European Commission; and online

Why is this important?

For 25 years, the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement has provided Least Developed Countries with duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market for all products except arms and ammunition. From 1 January 2027, the revised EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) will renew the EU’s preferential trade framework and give a fresh boost to EBA for Least Developed Countries.

Join us in Brussels to reflect on and celebrate 25 years of EBA, explore what the new GSP means for the future, and discuss how EU trade preferences can continue to support trade, investment, sustainable development, job creation and stronger international partnerships.

The event will bring together representatives of the EU and partner countries, international and regional organisations, businesses, social partners, civil society, academia and other stakeholders.

What will be discussed?

The contribution of EBA over the past 25 years and the celebration of the new GSP;
GSP and EBA in a changing geopolitical and geoeconomic environment;
Trade, investment, poverty reduction benefits of GSP and its aspects of sustainable development;
Business opportunities for exporters, investors and SMEs in partner countries and Europe;
Opportunities for women-owned and women-managed businesses, and;
How the scheme links with the EU's Global Gateway, and with the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements.

How do I register for the event?

Access details

The conference will take place in person in Brussels. In-person participants are encouraged to arrive in good time for the security screening process. Registration and security checks will open at 12:30, followed by an informal networking reception from 13:00 to 14:00. The conference programme starts at 14:00.

There will be a welcome desk in the security screening area of the Charlemagne building, where identification documents will be checked for security clearance and badges will be issued.

Registration confirmations will be sent to in-person participants. Please bring your access confirmation/V-PASS and the same identification document provided during registration.

The event will also be livestreamed.

Programme overview

The programme combines high-level remarks, including from Maroš Šefčovič (European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security), Bernd Lange (Member of the European Parliament and chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade) and António José Medina dos Santos Baptista (Minister of Economy, Trade, Industry and Digital Transition of Cabo Verde), beneficiary-country perspectives, and two panel discussions. Participants in Brussels and online audience abroad will be able to join the panel discussions.

The programme below is indicative. Speakers are being confirmed and this section will be updated.

Registration

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Places for in-person participation in the Charlemagne building are limited.

Wednesday 4 November 2026, 13:00 - 17:30 (CET)

Brussels, Belgium

Live streaming available

Programme

4 Nov 2026, 12:30 - 13:00 (CET)

Registration

13:00 - 14:00 (CET)

Networking reception

Informal exchange with light food and drinks.
Photo opportunity.

14:00 - 14:55 (CET)

Opening session and keynote speeches
- Welcome by EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič
- Keynote speech by INTA Chair Bernd Lange MEP
- Keynote speech by António José Medina dos Santos Baptista (Minister of Economy, Trade, Industry and Digital Transition of Cabo Verde)
  Master of Ceremonies:
- Shada Islam, Journalist
15:00 - 15:55 (CET)

Panel 1 — GSP/EBA in a changing geopolitical and geo-economic global environment

The role of GSP and more specifically of EBA as trade and development instruments, including for economic resilience and security, investment, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.

Introduction:
- Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General of DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
  Panellists:
- Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
- San Bilal, Executive Director, ECDPM
- Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Bureau, UNDP
- Dora Correia, Acting Deputy Director-General, DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
  Moderator:
- Koen Verhelst, Journalist, Politico
16:00 - 16:55 (CET)

Panel 2 — Business opportunities through GSP/EBA

How predictable market access through GSP/EBA can support exporters, investors, and value-chain development, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises, and women-owned and women-managed businesses in partner countries and Europe.

Panellists:
- Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of DG INTPA, European Commission
- Luisa Santos, Deputy Director-General, BusinessEurope
- Yohan Lawrence, Secretary-General, Joint Apparel Association Forum of Sri Lanka (JAAFSL)
  Moderator:
- Jane Korinek, Senior Economist and Senior Policy Analyst, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD
17:30 (CET)

End of programme