About the Schuman Forum
In today’s interconnected world, mutually beneficial and reliable peace, security and defence partnerships are more needed than ever.
The third edition of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum (Schuman Forum) will take place in Brussels on 17-18 November 2026. It will bring together senior decision-makers from more than 85 partner countries, EU Member States, high-level representatives of the European Union (EU), international and regional organisations, as well as leading think-tanks and academia.
The Schuman Forum will aim to shed light on how ongoing and potential peace, security and defence partnerships can respond more effectively to today’s and the future’s most pressing security threats and challenges, while contributing to global peace and security as well as upholding the international rules-based order and multilateralism.
Reliable security and defence partnerships in times of growing threats and uncertainty
The geo-political context of today’s world is becoming ever more volatile, with an increasing number of inter-state wars worldwide and growing multi-faceted threats to peace and security. The foundations of the rules-based international order, the UN Charter and effective multilateralism are challenged. Both state and non-state actors can pose threats to our security, through conventional as well as hybrid means of warfare.
In our interconnected world, threats to international security are indivisible, and the EU and its partners face numerous challenges within multiple security theatres. What emerges locally, quickly becomes global, with more far-reaching and complex consequences than ever before.
In addressing common security challenges, mutually beneficial and reliable peace, security and defence partnerships are more essential than ever. Listening to its partners is key for the EU to foster such partnerships.
High-level political exchange on peace, security and defence
The Schuman Forum aims to facilitate high-level dialogue on international peace, security and defence issues between the EU, its Member States and partners. The Schuman Forum brings together politicians, senior decision-makers, defence and military representatives from EU Member States and partner countries, as well as representatives from international organisations with which the EU cooperates on peace, security and defence. Representatives from leading think-tanks and academia are also invited.
Please note: the final list of confirmed participants for the Schuman Security and Defence Forum 2026 main event and side events will be available closer to the date of the event.
European Union, 2024
Programme
9:00 – 9:05 Welcoming Remarks by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
9:05 - 9:20 Keynote Speech by Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission
9:20 – 10:30 Plenary Session
High-level panel: Global Security In Flux - Reliable Partnerships for a More Secure Future
11:00 – 12:30 Breakout Roundtables
Roundtable 1: From Conflict to Terror: Understanding an Evolving Security Nexus
Roundtable 2: Cyber Threats and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
Roundtable 3: Building Mutual Resilience against Hybrid Threats
14:00 – 15:20 Breakout Roundtables
Roundtable 4: Defence Supply Chains: Leveraging Partnerships to Address Disruptions, Critical Dependencies and Global Crisis
Roundtable 5: Space - A Strategic Domain under Threat
Roundtable 6: Maritime Security - Upholding Freedom of Navigation, Protecting Submarine Infrastructure, and Tackling Shadow Fleets
15:40 – 17:00 Plenary Session and Concluding Remarks
High-Level Panel: International Order - Between Recomposition and Reform, Strengthening Peacekeeping and Human Security
Concluding remarks by Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Road to Schuman Forum 2026
In the run up to the Schuman Forum in November, a series of preparatory events named ‘Road to Schuman Forum 2026’ will be held in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Kenya, Moldova, and Norway.
Organised by the EU Delegations, they gather high-level representatives from the country, members of the diplomatic community and local leading think-tanks/academia in the field of peace, security and defence. The ‘Road to Schuman Forum’ events will allow for more regionally-focused exchanges on peace, security and defence matters among the participants, that will inform the discussions during the main event.
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CopyrightEuropean Union, 2026
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CopyrightEuropean Union, 2024
Side events
Think Tanks Side-Event
On 17 November, a closed-door meeting will be held with the participation of peace, security and defence policy experts from think tanks and academia from around the world. The primary purpose of this meeting will be to provide experts with an opportunity to preview the key issues that will be on the agenda of the main event of the Forum. It will be a chance for sharing ideas and concrete proposals on how to best strengthen and further develop cooperation in the field of peace, security and defence between the EU, its Member States, and partners.
Please note: final list of confirmed participants from think tanks/academia will be uploaded closer to the date of the event.
Previous editions
More than 600 high-level participants from 60 countries and international organisations, along with 27 EU Member States, and representatives from EU institutions, gathered to discuss peace, security and defence matters of common interest for the second edition of the Schuman Forum in 2024. Find out about the 2024 Schuman Security and Defence Forum.
The first edition of the event took place in 2023. Watch a video from the 2023 Schuman Security and Defence Forum.
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CopyrightEuropean Union, 2024