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.

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.

Here are some highlights from the events:

• During the 'Rethinking Security from Europe to the Indo-Pacific' event in Japan, participants discussed how to collectively respond to emerging security threats, including defence innovation, maritime security, cybersecurity and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

• At the Road to Schuman Forum event in Canberra, over 175 defence practitioners from the EU and Australia gathered, together with Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, to address shared security challenges facing both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. 

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.

Schuman Forum - Youth, Peace and Security

Young generations are coming of age in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment, marked by growing challenges to peace and security and mounting pressure on the multilateral system. At a time when international law and its principles, as well as fundamental values such as human rights, democracy and good governance, are increasingly being called into question, the engagement of young people in promoting peace, dialogue and international cooperation is more important than ever.

Against this backdrop, six young peacebuilders will participate in a dedicated youth event on 17 November, ahead of the Schuman Forum. One of them will also bring a youth perspective to the Forum itself. The participants have been selected for their active engagement in the EU Youth, Peace and Security network, which brings together more than 700 young activists from around the world and supports regional networks of peacebuilders across different continents.

The event will be informed by extensive consultations with peacebuilders from the EU network and a wider community of practitioners, shaped by the priorities and suggestions of the young activists themselves. It forms part of the EEAS’ implementation of the Joint Declaration of Young Peacebuilders, adopted at the second EU Youth, Peace and Security Conference in November 2025.
 

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.