🇪🇺 Momentum 1 – Conclave 2025 – January 16
🌐 CONCLAVE 2025 BRUSSELS: Preparatory Dialogue with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
On January 16, 2025, EuropaNova, along with its president Guillaume Klossa and board members of the Conclave, had the privilege of hosting a Chatham House preparatory session in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This exclusive gathering marked a significant milestone in the lead-up to the second edition of the Conclave for Europe.
As President Trump takes office, the Conclave has become the foremost European meeting before the World Economic Forum in Davos, assembling a dynamic, transdisciplinary, and intergenerational community of European leaders. This year, 50 prominent figures, including António Costa, President of the European Council, and Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister, united to discuss Europe’s strategic approach to navigating the dual geopolitical forces of China and the United States.
Key Focus Areas
During the weekend discussions, participants tackled three critical themes shaping Europe’s future:
🫴 Geopolitics, including Defense and Security
🫴 Science and Technology as a key drivers of the competitiveness
🫴 Funding EU ambitions, Narrative and Leadership
💡 The preparatory session with Mark Rutte was particularly impactful, centering on defense and security—a cornerstone of the Conclave’s agenda. The high-level dialogue underscored the indispensable collaboration between the EU, its Member States, and the defense industry within the transatlantic NATO framework.
This inspiring exchange laid the groundwork for shaping Conclave discussions and drafting actionable recommendations for Europe’s strategic positioning in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
