Munich Security Conference 2026

Energy Security Hub 2026@ BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion

12 - 14

Februar 2026

Munich, BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion

Powering Society. Securing EnergyEnergy has become the defining question of Europe’s security, prosperity, and global influence. As an official partner of the Munich Security Conference, the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt convenes leaders from policy, business, science, and civil society to address this challenge head-on.  Over three days, the Energy Security Hub 2026 in the heart of Munich provides a dedicated forum for strategic exchange on how Europe can mobilize technology, strengthen competitiveness, and forge global alliances to build a resilient energy and industrial future. 

KEY TOPICS 2026

Mobilizing Technology
Implementing and securing a robust European energy system
Strengthening Competitiveness
Building policy and financial frameworks to advance Europe’s industrial leadership
Creating Alliances
Forging global strategies to secure energy and democracy

GET TO KNOW

The Speakers

Katherina REICHE
Dan JØRGENSEN
Joe KAESER
Maria LEPTIN
Christian BRUCH
Ian BREMMER
Markus KAMIETH
Carsten KNOBEL
Marie JARONI
Charles MEYERS
Claudia OEKING
Wolfgang ISCHINGER
Jessika ROSWALL
Robin DUGGAN
Arancha GONZÁLEZ LAYA
Fiona MURRAY
Jörgen SANDSTRÖM
Jonathan BARTH
Meredith WHITTAKER
Olivia LAZARD
Nils GIESE
Jan CEYSSENS
Harald VON HEYDEN
Reinhard HÜTTL
Ann METTLER
Enno HARKS
Birgitte RINGSTAD VARTDAL
Dmitri ALPEROVITCH
Falk PAULSEN
Heike FREUND
Julia PRESCOT
Andreas SCHIERENBECK
Stephen DUNBAR-JOHNSON
Henna VIRKKUNEN
Michelle ROZO
Narendra TANEJA
Oliver SWEENEY
Parag KHANNA
Jason BORDOFF
Robert SCHIELE
Tore O. SANDVIK
Yair REEM
Michael BRIGL
Wolfgang FINK
Siby DIABIRA
Jochen HANEBECK
Carlos PASCUAL
Bogdan-Gruia IVAN
Andrew PERRY
Sigmar GABRIEL
Kevin CASAS-ZAMORA
Bernhard KOTSCH
Nicola BEER
Alexander DE CROO
Stefan WINTELS
Claudia PLATTNER
Stefan ROUENHOFF
Egbert LAEGE
Mike ENSKAT
Evan SOLOMON
HENRIKE TRAUTMANN
Rafael Mariano GROSSI
Ólafur Ragnar GRÍMSSON
Wael SAWAN
Camilla SALTHE
Katherina REICHEFederal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany
Katherina Reiche has been Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy since 6 May 2025. Previously, she served as Chair of the Board of Westenergie AG (2020–2025) and CEO of the Association of Municipal Enterprises (2015–2019). Earlier roles include Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministries of Transport and Environment. She was a member of the German Bundestag from 1998 to 2015 and holds a degree in chemistry, with research experience in the USA and Finland.
Dan JØRGENSENEuropean Commissioner for Energy and HousingDan Jørgensen is European Commissioner for Energy and Housing for the 2024–2029 term. He previously served as Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy (2022–2024) and for Climate, Energy and Utilities (2019–2022). A member of the Danish Parliament from 2015 to 2024, he also served in the European Parliament (2004–2013). He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Aarhus University and has lectured at several European and international universities.
Joe KAESERChairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens Energy AG; Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Daimler Truck Holding AGJoe Kaeser is Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Siemens Energy AG and Daimler Truck Holding AG. He was President and CEO of Siemens AG from 2013 to 2021, following earlier roles as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer. With over 40 years at Siemens, he led its transformation into three standalone public companies: Siemens AG, Siemens Energy AG and Siemens Healthineers AG. He also serves on several international boards and advisory bodies.
Maria LEPTINPresident, European Research Council (ERC)Maria Leptin is President of the European Research Council. After earning a PhD at the University of Heidelberg, she conducted postdoctoral research in the UK, led a research group in Germany, and became Professor of Genetics at the University of Cologne and Director of EMBO. She is a member of several scientific academies, including the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences.
Christian BRUCHCEO, Siemens EnergyDr.-Ing. Christian Bruch is President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Energy AG, a role he has held since May 2020. A mechanical engineer by training, he earned his doctorate from ETH Zurich. Before joining Siemens Energy, he spent over 15 years at the Linde Group in senior leadership roles, including as speaker of the Executive Board of Linde AG. Earlier in his career, he worked at the RWE Group in fuel cell research and development. He also serves on several international supervisory and advisory boards.
Ian BREMMERPresident and Founder, Eurasia Group and GZERO MediaIan Bremmer, a leading voice on geopolitics, is a New York Times bestselling author and foreign affairs columnist and editor at large for Time. He hosts GZERO World with Ian Bremmer on US public television and served as rapporteur of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on A.I.  He teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
Markus KAMIETHCEO, BASFDr. Markus Kamieth is CEO of BASF SE, the world’s largest chemical company, based in Ludwigshafen, Germany. A chemist by training, he earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Essen and joined BASF in 1999. After holding senior roles in Germany, North America and Asia, he became a member of the Board of Executive Directors in 2017 and CEO in April 2024. He oversees key corporate and strategic functions.
Carsten KNOBELCEO, HenkelCarsten Knobel is CEO of Henkel, a global industrial and consumer goods company with brands including Persil and Schwarzkopf. He is a member of the supervisory board of Deutsche Lufthansa, Vice President of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), and a board member of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Previously Henkel’s CFO, he joined the Management Board at 43 and has held senior finance, strategy and regional leadership roles. He studied business administration and technical chemistry at TU Berlin and completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
Marie JARONICEO, thyssenkrupp Steel EuropeDr. Marie Jaroni has been CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG since 1 November 2025. A member of the Executive Board since 2024, she previously served as Chief Sales and Transformation Officer. She joined thyssenkrupp in 2017 and has led strategy, decarbonization and sustainability initiatives, playing a key role in the transformation to climate-neutral steel. She holds a doctorate in metallurgy and materials engineering from RWTH Aachen University.
Charles MEYERSExecutive Chairman, EquinixCharles Meyers was appointed Executive Chairman of Equinix in June 2024, after serving as President and CEO and as a Board member since 2018. During his tenure, he led the company’s global growth, expanding its data center footprint and platform capabilities. He previously held senior leadership roles at Equinix and at technology companies including Verisign, Level 3 Communications and BellSouth. He serves on the board of Fastly and is Chairman of Level 5 Capital Partners. He holds dual Master’s degrees from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. 
Claudia OEKINGHead of Public Affairs Germany, Airbus Claudia Oeking is a senior people leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic management, external affairs and corporate diplomacy across media, politics, energy and FMCG. Since 2019, she has been a Member of the Executive Board of Philip Morris Germany as Director External Affairs, responsible for policy and regulatory affairs, sustainability and corporate responsibility. She also serves on the Supervisory Board of BeyondGenderAgenda and is a public speaker on ESG, leadership and organizational transformation.
Wolfgang ISCHINGERChairman, Munich Security ConferenceProf. Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Ischinger is President of the MSC Foundation Council and Chair of the Munich Security Conference, a role he performs pro bono. A former German Deputy Foreign Minister, he served as Ambassador to the United States and the United Kingdom. He teaches at the Hertie School and the University of Tübingen, advises governments and organizations, and is co-founder of the geopolitical consultancy Agora Strategy Group.
Jessika ROSWALLEuropean Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular EconomyJessika Roswall has been European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy since 1 December 2024. She previously served as Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs (2022–2024) and as a Member of the Swedish Parliament from 2010 to 2022. Trained as a lawyer, she holds a law degree from Uppsala University and practiced law from 2002 to 2010.
Robin DUGGANPartner, Just ClimateRobin Duggan joined Just Climate in 2023 as Operating Partner on the Investment Team. He previously served as Executive Director at Climate Transition Capital and as an executive director and board member of the Climate SPAC CTCA1. Earlier, he spent 12 years with Riverstone’s renewable energy team and 18 years at BP in senior roles across multiple regions. He is Chairman of Camberwell Energy and holds degrees from the University of Oxford and Stanford University.
Arancha GONZÁLEZ LAYADean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Sciences Po and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, SpainArancha González is Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po and the first woman to lead the school. She previously served as Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (2020–2021), and as UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (2013–2020). Earlier roles include senior positions at the WTO and the European Commission. A lawyer by training, she holds degrees in law and European law and has been a member of PSIA’s Strategic Committee since 2017.
Fiona MURRAYAssociate Dean for Innovation, MIT Sloan School of Management & Vice Chair, NATO Innovation FundProfessor Dame Fiona Murray is Associate Dean of Innovation at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Faculty Director of MIT’s Office of Innovation. She is an associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and serves on the UK Prime Minister’s Council on Science and Technology. Trained as a chemist and engineer, she holds degrees from the University of Oxford and a PhD from Harvard University, and advises governments and companies on innovation policy and ecosystems.
Jörgen SANDSTRÖMHead Transforming Industrial Ecosystems, Centre for Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum Jörgen Sandström is Head of the Transforming Industrial Ecosystems practice at the World Economic Forum, where he leads CEO-driven initiatives on industrial transformation, energy transition, sustainability and decarbonization. He previously headed the Forum’s Mining and Metals Industry work. With over 20 years of experience in energy, commodities and diplomacy, he served as Executive Officer of Addax Bioenergy and began his career with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, holding diplomatic postings across Europe, Russia and Afghanistan.
Jonathan BARTHExecutive Chair, Geostrategic Europe Taskforce; Senior Fellow, Jacques Delors InstituteJonathan Barth is Executive Chair of the Geostrategic Europe Taskforce and a Visiting Fellow at the Institut Jacques Delors in Paris. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership and an Affiliate of the Bennett School of Public Policy. An engineer-turned-economist, he works with European decision-makers on rebuilding European power in a security- and climate-disrupted world and is currently writing a book on the future of economic liberalism.
Meredith WHITTAKERPresident, Signal FoundationMeredith Whittaker is President of Signal and a member of the Signal Foundation Board. With nearly 20 years of experience across industry, academia and government, she was previously a professor at NYU and Faculty Director of the AI Now Institute, which she co-founded. Her work has shaped global AI policy and public debate on surveillance and concentration in AI. Earlier, she spent over a decade at Google in senior product and research roles and has advised governments and institutions on AI, privacy and technology policy.
Olivia LAZARDPlanetary Fellow, Berggruen Institute; Nonresident Fellow, Carnegie EuropeOlivia Lazard is a strategic consultant, researcher and public speaker specializing in international and planetary security. She advises governments, international organizations and private actors on geopolitical, economic and ecological transition risks linked to climate change, energy systems and emerging technologies. A Planetary Fellow at the Berggruen Institute, she is writing a book on planetary insecurity and is founding Transition Intelligence, a European institute dedicated to guiding planetary transitions. She previously worked in conflict zones with the UN and donor governments and holds degrees from McGill University, Sciences Po Paris and the London School of Economics.
Nils GIESECEO Germany, EdelmanNils Giese is CEO of Edelman Germany, appointed after leading the agency’s healthcare division for nearly four years. Since 2024, he has also overseen Edelman’s healthcare marketing strategy across EMEA. Previously, he held senior strategy roles at Saatchi & Saatchi within Publicis Groupe. With over 20 years of experience across healthcare, FMCG, financial services and technology, his teams have received numerous international marketing and communications awards. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Münster.
Jan CEYSSENSDeputy Head of Cabinet, European CommissionJan Ceyssens is Deputy Head of Cabinet to Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. He previously held senior roles at the European Commission, including Head of Unit for Digital Finance and Capital Markets Union, and served in the cabinets of Vice-Presidents Dombrovskis and Barnier. He has worked at the Commission since 2006 and holds degrees in law from Humboldt University Berlin and King’s College London.
Harald VON HEYDENGlobal Head of Energy and Infrastructure, Norges Bank Investment ManagementHarald von Heyden leads Norges Bank Investment Management’s investments in listed energy companies and renewable energy infrastructure. He was appointed Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure in January 2025, having joined NBIM as Global Head of Renewable Infrastructure in 2024. Previously, he was Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Arctic Securities and has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, including senior roles at Å Energi, Vattenfall, Axpo and Statkraft. He holds degrees from the University of Cambridge and Warwick Business School.
Reinhard HÜTTLManaging Partner and Scientific Director, Eco-Environment Innovation (EEI); former Chairman of the Board, GFZ German Research Centre for GeosciencesReinhard Hüttl is a forestry and soil scientist and former Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation at the Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus (1993–2021). He served as Scientific Director and Chairman of the Board of the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) from 2007 to 2021 and was President of acatech, the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (2008–2017). He has advised the German government on environmental and energy issues and is a member of several national and international science academies. Since 2021, he has been Scientific Director and Managing Associate of Eco-Environment Innovation in Berlin.
Ann METTLER Board Member, European Innovation CouncilAnn Mettler brings over 25 years of experience in public policy at the intersection of technology, innovation and industrial strategy. She is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and serves on the board of the European Innovation Council. Previously, she was Vice President for Europe at Breakthrough Energy (2020–2025) and Director-General of the European Commission’s European Political Strategy Centre (2014–2019). She has advised global leaders and holds Master’s degrees in Political Science and European Law & Economics.
Enno HARKSDirector External Affairs, BPEnno is an energy professional with 25 years of experience. He has spent 18 years at bp and currently heads External Affairs, Regulation and Communications in the DACH region. Previously, he served as Senior Fellow on Energy and Resources at SWP Berlin and as an Energy Analyst at the International Energy Agency. He began his career as a TV journalist and producer. He holds a master’s degree in econometrics from LMU Munich and speaks German, English, French and Spanish.
Birgitte RINGSTAD VARTDALCEO and President, StatkraftBirgitte Ringstad Vartdal is CEO of Statkraft. She joined the company’s Group Management in 2020 as Executive Vice President for European Wind and Solar and later served as EVP for the Nordics before being appointed CEO. Previously, she was CEO and CFO at Golden Ocean and held senior roles at the Torvald Klaveness Group and Norsk Hydro. She serves on the board of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise and has held several other board positions. She holds degrees from NTNU and Heriot-Watt University.
Dmitri ALPEROVITCHCo-Founder and Chairman, Silverado Policy AcceleratorDmitri Alperovitch is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a national bestselling author, and founder of the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. He is also Co-Founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike. A leading expert on geopolitics and cybersecurity, he has advised the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and hosts the “Geopolitics Decanted” podcast.
Falk PAULSENBusiness Development Director, MondiFalk Paulsen is Sales and Business Development Director at Mondi, with over 15 years of international experience in the packaging industry. He leads Sales and Business Development for Mondi Functional Paper & Films, focusing on advanced functional paper and barrier technologies to replace plastic films with high-performance, sustainable paper-based solutions.
Heike FREUNDChief Operating Officer, Marvel FusionHeike Freund is Chief Operating Officer at Marvel Fusion, where she leads the company’s development and scaling, process optimization and industrial partnerships. Previously, she was a partner at McKinsey & Company and a core member of its Operations Leadership Team, working across the automotive, machinery and high-tech sectors. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a diploma in industrial engineering from the University of Karlsruhe.
Julia PRESCOTCo-Founder, Meridiam; Deputy Chair, National Infrastructure Commission, United KingdomJulia is co-founder of Meridiam, one of the world’s leading greenfield infrastructure fund managers, and a recognized leader in infrastructure investment. She holds several non-executive roles, including Deputy Chair of the UK’s National Infrastructure Commission Expert Advisory Council, Deputy Chair of the Port of Tyne, Chair of IPFA and Neuconnect, and board roles at Wilton Park and Allego. She was awarded a CBE in 2024 and became an Honorary Fellow of UCL in 2025.
Andreas SCHIERENBECKCEO, Hitachi EnergyAndreas Schierenbeck is Senior Vice President and Executive Officer at Hitachi, Ltd., Head of the Energy Business, and CEO of both the Power Grids Business Unit and Hitachi Energy. He joined Hitachi in 2024 from green hydrogen company HH2E, where he was co-founder and board member. Previously, he served as CEO of Uniper (2019–2021), launching its decarbonization strategy, and as CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator (2013–2018). Earlier, he held senior leadership roles at Siemens over two decades.
Stephen DUNBAR-JOHNSONPresident, The New York Times InternationalStephen Dunbar-Johnson is President, International at The New York Times Company, overseeing the strategic development of its global businesses. Appointed in 2013, he previously served as publisher of the International Herald Tribune and held senior business development roles at the Financial Times in the UK, France and the US. He studied at Worth School and the University of Kent and completed executive programs at Wharton and Columbia University.
Henna VIRKKUNENExecutive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, European CommissionHenna Virkkunen is Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy at the European Commission, responsible for strengthening EU security, borders, democracy, and digital resilience, as well as the Digital and Frontier Technologies portfolio. Prior to joining the Commission, she served for over ten years as a Member of the European Parliament and previously held several ministerial posts in Finland, including Minister of Education and Science, Public Administration and Local Government, and Transport.
Michelle ROZOVice Chair, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB); Vice President of Technical Capabilities, In-Q-TelDr. Michelle Rozo serves as Vice Chair of the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and is Vice President of Technical Capabilities at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investor supporting national security technologies. She previously advised the U.S. President and National Security Advisor as Director of Technology and National Security at the National Security Council and held senior biotechnology roles at the Department of Defense. Trained as a molecular biologist, she holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Northwestern University.
Narendra TANEJAChairman, Independent Energy Policy Institute, IndiaNarendra Taneja is a global thought leader on energy policy, security and geopolitics. He is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and Chairman of the Independent Energy Policy Institute in New Delhi. He also presides over the World Energy Policy Summit and serves on several international advisory boards. A frequent commentator on global media, he has advised governments and corporations and previously served as President of the World Oil & Gas Assembly.
Oliver SWEENEYPrincipal, LightrockOliver is Principal on the Investment Team at Lightrock, a growth technology investor deploying capital into the energy transition through its Climate Impact Fund. Prior to Lightrock, he worked at bp plc across energy trading and low-carbon businesses, focusing on strategy, investments and operations related to the energy transition.
Parag KHANNAFounder and CEO of AlphaGeoParag Khanna is Founder and CEO of AlphaGeo, an AI-powered geospatial analytics platform. He is an internationally bestselling author of seven books on geopolitics, migration and global order, including MOVE and Connectography. Named one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” he holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and degrees from Georgetown University, and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
Jason BORDOFFFounding Director, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University Jason Bordoff is Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA. He previously served as Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Senior Director for Energy and Climate Change on the National Security Council. A leading expert on energy and climate policy, he co-founded the Columbia Climate School and advises governments, companies and international organizations. He holds degrees from Harvard Law School, Oxford University and Brown University.
Robert SCHIELEFormer Global Head of Negative Emissions Technologies, Managing Director, SiemensRobert Schiele is founder of Carbon Advisory, supporting industrial companies and climate tech scale-ups in scaling decarbonization, carbon removal and energy transition technologies across Europe. Previously, he was Managing Director at Siemens, where he led the Negative Emissions Technologies business with responsibility for strategy, investments and go-to-market execution. He brings deep expertise in industrial decarbonization and energy transformation.
Tore O. SANDVIKMinister of Defence, NorwayTore O. Sandvik has served as Norway’s Minister of Defence since 4 February 2025. He previously held the posts of Minister of Climate and Environment and State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and served as county mayor of Sør-Trøndelag and Trøndelag from 2003 to 2023.
Yair REEMCo-Founder & Partner, Extantia CapitalYair Reem is Co-founder and Partner at Extantia Capital, a venture firm investing in technologies that re-engineer industries to drive scalable, measurable climate impact. He previously served as Managing Director at Hasso Plattner Ventures. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Technion, an Executive MPA from the Hertie School, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton.
Michael BRIGLHead of Central Europe, Boston Consulting GroupMichael Brigl is Head of BCG in Central Europe, overseeing operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. He previously worked at PwC Consulting in London and holds an MBA from IESE Business School and CEIBS. He studied business at the University of Regensburg and finance at UMIST in Manchester, and focuses on using strategy and emerging technologies, including generative AI, to address global challenges.
Wolfgang FINKCEO, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe & CEO Goldman Sachs Germany and Goldman Sachs Austria Dr. Wolfgang Fink is CEO of Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and CEO of Goldman Sachs in Germany and Austria, with responsibility for the firm’s business across the region. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1993 in Mergers & Acquisitions in London, became a Managing Director in 2004 and a Partner in 2008, and serves on several key European and EMEA committees.
Siby DIABIRASenior Manager, Venture Capital and Private Equity, Europe, International Finance CorporationSiby Diabira is Senior Manager at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), based in Paris, where she develops new business opportunities and manages key relationships with Western European shareholders and partners. With nearly 20 years of experience in investment banking and development finance, she has held leadership roles at BNP Paribas, PROPARCO and Cerba Lancet Africa. She holds an MSc in Finance from Sorbonne University.
Jochen HANEBECKCEO, Infineon Technologies AGJochen Hanebeck is CEO of Infineon Technologies AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Infineon Technologies Austria AG. A member of the Management Board since 2016, he was appointed CEO in 2022. With over 30 years at Infineon, he has held senior leadership roles including Division President Automotive and Chief Operations Officer. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from RWTH Aachen University.
Carlos PASCUALSenior Vice President for Geopolitics and International Affairs, S&P Global Commodity Insights; former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and UkraineCarlos Pascual leads the integration of geopolitics, energy and markets at S&P Global Energy and is Vice Chair of the CERAWeek conference. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Ukraine, U.S. Energy Envoy, and Special Assistant to the President on the National Security Council. He also held senior roles at the U.S. State Department and the Brookings Institution. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council and holds degrees from Stanford University and Harvard’s Kennedy School.
Bogdan-Gruia IVANMinister of Energy, Romania; former Minister of Research, Innovation and DigitalizationBogdan-Gruia Ivan is a Romanian politician of the Social Democratic Party and Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism since December 2024. He previously served as Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (2023–2024) and has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2020. Earlier, he worked as an advisor to the President of the Bistrița-Năsăud County Council.
Andrew PERRYDirector, Energy Transition & Environment, Faculty AIAndy has over 15 years of experience in energy innovation. He leads the Energy Transition and Environment business at Faculty, Europe’s leading applied AI firm, advising boards on AI strategy and overseeing the development of AI systems that support the energy transition. Previously, he was Head of Electricity System Strategy at the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, Chief Strategy Officer at Tempus Energy, and led the UK Utilities practice at Oliver Wyman.
Sigmar GABRIELChairman of Atlantik-Brücke, Former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor of GermanySigmar Hartmut Gabriel is a German politician who was the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2018 and the vice-chancellor of Germany from 2013 to 2018. He was Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany from 2009 to 2017, which made him the party's longest-serving leader since Willy Brandt.
Kevin CASAS-ZAMORASecretary-General of International IDEA; former Second Vice President of Costa RicaDr. Kevin Casas-Zamora has been Secretary-General of International IDEA since August 2019. With over 30 years of experience in democratic governance, he has served as Costa Rica’s Second Vice President and Minister of National Planning, Secretary for Political Affairs at the OAS, and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He has taught at leading universities and holds degrees from the University of Costa Rica, the University of Essex and the University of Oxford. A Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, he is widely published on democracy and political finance.
Bernhard KOTSCHState Secretary, German Federal Foreign OfficeDr. Bernhard Kotsch has served as State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office since May 2025. He joined the Foreign Office in 2000 after studying history and political science in Regensburg, Oxford and Chemnitz, with postings in Senegal and North Macedonia. He later held senior roles in the Federal Chancellery, including Deputy Chief of Staff to Chancellor Angela Merkel and Director General coordinating the Federal Intelligence Services. Most recently, he was Germany’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Nicola BEERVice-President and Member of the Management Committee, European Investment Bank (EIB); former Vice-President of the European Parliament From 2019 to 2023, she served as Vice-President and Member of the European Parliament, focusing on economic, industry and foreign affairs. She was a Member of the German Bundestag (2017–2019) and previously held leadership roles in the Hessian state parliament and government, including Minister for Education and State Secretary for European Affairs. A trained lawyer and former bank clerk, she also served as Secretary General of the Free Democratic Party (2013–2019) and Deputy Federal Chairwoman (2019–2023).
Alexander DE CROOAdministrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); former Prime Minister of BelgiumAlexander De Croo has served as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme since December 2025. He was Prime Minister of Belgium from 2020 to 2025, leading the country through the COVID-19 crisis and Belgium’s EU Council presidency. Previously, he held senior ministerial roles, including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development Cooperation and Digital Agenda, and Minister of Finance. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a degree in business engineering from Solvay Brussels School.
Stefan WINTELSCEO, KfW
Claudia PLATTNERPresident, German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) Claudia Plattner has been President of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) since 1 July 2023. She brings over 20 years of experience in IT leadership roles across public and private institutions. Most recently, she served as Director General for Information Systems at the European Central Bank and previously as Chief Information Officer of DB Systel, Deutsche Bahn’s internal IT service provider. She holds degrees in mathematics from TU Darmstadt and Tulane University.
Stefan ROUENHOFFParliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy; Member of the German BundestagStefan Rouenhoff has served as Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy since 2025. A member of the German Bundestag since 2017, he previously served on the Economics Committee and chaired the CDU/CSU working group on Africa. Earlier roles include trade attaché at Germany’s Permanent Representation to the EU and positions at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. He holds Master’s degrees from the University of Bonn and the University of Birmingham.
Egbert LAEGECEO, SEFEDr. Egbert Laege has been CEO and Managing Director of SEFE Securing Energy for Europe since June 2022 and previously served as trustee for the SEFE Group on behalf of Germany’s Federal Network Agency. With 25 years of experience in energy and commodity trading, he has held senior leadership roles at EEX, POWERNEXT, E.ON and BCG. He is an honorary board member of the European Federation of Energy Traders and holds degrees in energy engineering and economics, including a PhD in Energy Economics.
Mike ENSKATDirector, IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC)Dr. Mike Enskat is Director of IRENA’s Innovation and Technology Centre in Bonn since December 2025. With over 20 years of experience in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and climate cooperation, he has led global initiatives across energy, water, mobility and green hydrogen. Previously, he headed the Infrastructure Section at GIZ, managing programmes for the German government, the EU and multilateral partners. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Heidelberg and a Master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh.
Evan SOLOMONMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, CanadaDr. Kevin Casas-Zamora has been Secretary-General of International IDEA since August 2019. With over 30 years of experience in democratic governance, he previously served as Costa Rica’s Second Vice President and Minister of National Planning, Secretary for Political Affairs at the OAS, and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He holds degrees from the University of Costa Rica, the University of Essex and the University of Oxford and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
HENRIKE TRAUTMANNDirector, European Commission, DG MENA.B – Middle EastHenrike Trautmann is a senior official in the European Commission’s external relations services with over 25 years of experience. After serving in DG ECHO on humanitarian policy, she joined DG NEAR in 2019, focusing on regional cooperation and investment in the Southern Neighbourhood. She later served as Director for North Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye (2020–2023) and was appointed Principal Adviser on the Reconstruction of Gaza in 2024. Since February 2025, she has been Director for the Middle East in DG MENA.
Rafael Mariano GROSSIDirector General, IAEA  Rafael Mariano Grossi is serving his second term as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), having taken office in December 2019. A career diplomat and former Argentine ambassador, he previously served as Chief of Cabinet at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. At the IAEA, he has led key initiatives supporting its Member States and played a central diplomatic role on nuclear safety in Ukraine and safeguards issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme. Argentina has nominated him as its candidate for the next UN Secretary-General.
Ólafur Ragnar GRÍMSSONChairman of the Arctic Circle; former President of IcelandH.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson served as President of Iceland from 1996 to 2016. He is now Chairman of Arctic Circle, the international platform for Arctic affairs that he founded in 2013, which convenes annual assemblies in Iceland and forums worldwide. Previously, he was Minister of Finance, Member of Parliament, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the first Professor of Political Science at the University of Iceland. He has received numerous international awards for his contributions to global issues.
Wael SAWANChief Executive Officer, Shell plcWael Sawan is CEO of Shell plc. He joined Shell in 1997 and has worked in all core business units: Upstream, Integrated Gas and Downstream, before becoming CEO in 2023. Wael joined the Executive Committee in 2019 as Upstream Director, and in 2021 he became Director of Integrated Gas, Renewables and Energy Solutions. Wael holds a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from McGill university and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Camilla SALTHEExecutive Vice President, Safety, Security & Sustainability (SSU)Salthe joined Equinor in 2003 and has held several senior management positions. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President UK & Ireland in Exploration & Production International, where she helped establish Adura, a joint venture owned by Shell and Equinor, while overseeing operations at the Mariner field. She previously led Field Life Extension and held business development and petroleum technology roles from 2007 to 2020.

PROGRAM

Download the PDF version of the program hereFor the most updated version, please refer to the online program available on this page

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DISCOVER

The Scaleups

Rotem ARAD
Tim BÖLTKEN
Niclas DAVIDSSON
Anne LAMP
Adrian POLEC
Gideon SCHWICH
Rotem ARADCBO, H2PRORotem Arad is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with over 25 years of experience working B2B and B2G in the Environmental Services, Energy, Industrial Manufacturing, and Biomed industries. As the Chief Business Officer of H2Pro, Rotem develops and executes region-specific strategies for introducing the novel H2Pro DWE electrolyzer technology to the clean energy market. With a focus on developing long-term strategic partnerships in the MENA and EU regions, he has honed a deep understanding of key players, policies, and milestones necessary for realizing regional clean energy and hydrogen hub aspirations.  Prior to joining H2Pro, Rotem led Business Development and Operations for Atlantium, advancing their revolutionary UV water treatment solution across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, while leading the penetration and expansion into the Heavy Industry and Food & Beverage markets. Rotem also previously co-founded and managed MicroBVM ltd - a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of advanced emergency field medical equipment. Fluent in English and Hebrew, he holds a B.A. in Economics and Business Management, and an Executive M.B.A. from the Kellogg-Recanati, Tel Aviv University. 
Tim BÖLTKENFounder and CEO, INERATECTim Boeltken is the visionary leader of INERATEC, making significant contributions to sustainability through his pioneering building the innovative e-Fuel company. His life goal of driving climate neutrality has been actualized through the establishment and growth of INERATEC, positioning the company at the forefront of the shift towards cleaner fueling solutions. An accomplished chemical engineer educated at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), he has significant experience in hydrogen production, catalysis, and petrochemistry. 
Niclas DAVIDSSONCEO, MEVA EnergyNiclas Davidsson is a senior business executive focusing on technology based entrepreneurship in the energy- and process industry. Niclas was appointed CEO of Meva Energy in 2016.  Under his leadership the company has scaled and transitioned from a small team of technology enthusiasts to an industrial company with a commercially verified plant design, signed multi-million agreements with global blue-chip corporations and with a backing of global impact investors.  
 
In 2011 Niclas switched from roles within strategy- and IPR consultancy to the emerging renewable energy technology industry, making him one of the earliest pioneers in what is now a global sector. Besides working with thermochemical conversion, Niclas has been developing businesses related to anaerobic biogas, landfill gas and combined heat and power applications. Prior to joining Meva Energy, Niclas worked as VP Business Development at Cleanergy AB.  
 
Niclas holds a MSc of Industrial Engineering and Management from Chalmers University of Technology. 
Anne LAMPFounder and CEO, Traceless MaterialsDr. Anne Lamp is CEO and Co-Founder of traceless materials, a Hamburg-based company on a mission to tackle global plastic pollution and drive the transition to a circular economy. With a PhD in process engineering and deep expertise in biorefinery processes, Anne combines technical know-how with strategic leadership. Her work is driven by a commitment to creating scalable, science-backed solutions that align with environmental and societal goals. traceless materials has developed an innovative, patented technology to transform agricultural residues into a natural, compostable biomaterial. Unlike conventional plastics, traceless' materials are entirely bio-based, fully biodegradable, and produced without harmful chemicals, making them a sustainable alternative for a wide range of applications. Under Anne's leadership, traceless has grown from a groundbreaking idea to an award-winning company, scaling production, expanding into new markets, and partnering with industries to implement sustainable material solutions. As a pioneer in the field, traceless is driving the development and market growth of natural polymers and co-founded the Natural Polymers Group to advocate for their role in a circular economy. 
Adrian POLECFounder and Chairman, Prime BatteriesAdrian Polec is a leading Romanian industrial investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in energy storage, advanced manufacturing, and real estate development. He is the majority shareholder of Prime Batteries Technology, Romania’s foremost lithium-ion battery manufacturer and a critical player in Europe’s clean energy transition, which is expanding production capacity to accelerate Europe’s clean energy transition and electrification goals. 
Under his leadership, Prime Batteries Technology has evolved from a pioneering local initiative into a regional industrial champion, supplying advanced energy storage solutions for renewable energy projects, electric mobility, and industrial applications across Europe. The company operates a state-of-the-art facility near Bucharest, with a production capacity of 2.3 GWh, and is currently executing an ambitious expansion plan, including a new gigafactory that will position Romania as a strategic hub in the European battery value chain. 
Driven by a passion for technology, sustainability, and industrial innovation, Adrian Polec is recognized as a specialist in energy storage systems and a strong advocate for Romania’s integration into the global clean-energy value chain. His investments are shaping the future of green mobility, renewable energy storage, and industrial competitiveness in Eastern Europe.
Gideon SCHWICHFounder and CEO, CylibDr Gideon Schwich co-founded and co-leads cylib GmbH in 2022 alongside Dr Lilian Schwich and Paul Sabarny. He holds a PhD in Production Engineering/Metallurgy from RWTH Aachen University. Before co-founding cylib, he led the Sustainability practice at umlaut/Accenture, managing a team of consultants and advising major European automotive OEMs and aerospace manufacturers on sustainability strategies. His extensive sustainability consulting experience and operational leadership have been instrumental in scaling cylib's operations and driving strategic growth.

MEET

The Moderators

Katie GALLUS
Ali ASLAN
Jason BORDOFF
Ed WILLIAMS
Katrin BENNHOLD
Katie GALLUSGeographer, and International ModeratorKatie Gallus is a geographer, freelance journalist and moderator focused on future-oriented topics and the Sustainable Development Goals. She works for outlets including Deutsche Welle, ZDF, HR and SWR, and has professional experience with the United Nations, international research projects and documentary filmmaking across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Latin America. Working in English, German and French, she focuses on globalization, development cooperation and human–environment relations, and serves as an honorary ambassador for Deswos e.V. and German Dream.
Ali ASLANInternational Moderator and JournalistAli Aslan is an internationally renowned TV presenter, moderator and journalist with over 25 years of global media experience, including at CNN, ABC News and Deutsche Welle. A sought-after conference host, he has moderated high-level discussions for organizations such as the UN, G20, EU, World Bank, IMF, NATO and WEF, and has interviewed and shared stages with numerous world leaders. He holds Master’s degrees from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.
Jason BORDOFFFounding Director, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University Jason Bordoff is Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA. He previously served as Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Senior Director for Energy and Climate Change on the National Security Council. A leading expert on energy and climate policy, he co-founded the Columbia Climate School and advises governments, companies and international organizations. He holds degrees from Harvard Law School, Oxford University and Brown University.
Ed WILLIAMSPresident, International, EdelmanEd leads Edelman’s business outside the United States across 28 countries, with oversight of operations in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada. He advises clients on crisis management, international positioning and trust-building. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Edelman EMEA and led the UK and Ireland business. Before joining Edelman, he headed Corporate Affairs and Communications at the BBC and Reuters. He chairs the Aspen UK board and serves on several advisory boards. He began his career in journalism and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s AMP programme.
Katrin BENNHOLDHost of "The World", The New York TimesKatrin Bennhold covers global affairs for The World, writing on Europe, democratic backsliding and the far right, and hosting interviews and reporting features. Previously Berlin bureau chief, she led coverage of Germany and produced award-winning work on far-right extremism and populism. She joined The Times in 2004 and has reported from more than a dozen countries. She holds a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

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Highlights from the Energy Security Hub 2025

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SPEAKERS OF THE LAST YEARS

  • Ursula von der Leyen (President, European Commission) 
  • Frans Timmermans (former Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal)
  • John F. Kerry (former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate) 
  • Brad Smith (President and Vice Chairman, Microsoft) 
  • Fatih Birol (Executive Director International Energy Agency) 
  • Leonhard Birnbaum (CEO, E.ON) 
  • Jennifer Morgan (Special Envoy for International Climate Action and Former State Secretary, German Federal Foreign Office) 
  • Bill Gates (former CEO, Microsoft) 
  • Hina Rabbani Khar (Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Pakistan) 
  • Maria Ressa (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (2021); Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rappler) 

Energy Security Hub @BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion 2025

Under the motto "Securing Energy. Advancing Society," the BMW Foundation initiated an engaging discussion highlighting new approaches and solutions to the future issue of energy security during the 61st Munich Security Conference (13-15 February 2025).

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You have the questions, we have the answers.

FAQs

General Information

The MSC 2026 convenes at a decisive moment for Europe and the world. Energy security, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical stability are now inseparable. Leaders across all sectors recognize that accelerating clean technologies and strengthening alliances are not only economic priorities – they are also security imperatives. To address these critical imperatives, the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub unites decision-makers and experts in dialogue. Our discussions will focus on three central themes: 
  • Mobilizing Technology: Implementing and Securing a Robust European Energy System 
  • Strengthening Competitiveness: Building Policy and Financial Frameworks to Advance Europe’s Industrial Leadership 
  • Creating Alliances: Forging Global Strategies to Secure Energy and Democracy 
The BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub will be held from February 12 to 14, 2026, in Munich at Lenbachplatz 7. It is within walking distance of MSC’s main venue, Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
The BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub is by invitation only and free of charge. Spots are limited. Please register soon if you have not already done so via the link in your personal invitation mail. The invitation is non-transferable and for you only.   
Parts of the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub program will be live-streamed with options for virtual participation. You can register here
No, you can check in at our Welcome Desk upon arrival and will receive a name badge that gives you access to the entire venue.   
The conference language is English. 
Yes, we encourage you to do so.

Logistics

Munich International Airport (MUC)Munich International Airport (MUC) is Munich’s airport. When you arrive, you will find the railway station directly below Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines connect the airport to the Munich city center at 10-minute intervals. The S1 travels via the west of the city and the S8 via the east. The trip to the main railway station at the city center takes approx. 40 minutes.Munich Central Station (Munich Hauptbahnhof)  The event venue (Lenbachplatz 7) is approximately 10 minutes on foot from Munich Hauptbahnhof (Central Station).   
Munich public transport is an environmentally friendly, efficient, and affordable way to get around the city during your stay. You can find the official website of the public transport company Munich (MVV) here.
Hotel MIO by AMANOSendlinger Straße 46, 80331 München12 min walk  Hotel Motel One München-Sendlinger TorHerzog-Wilhelm-Straße 28, 80331 München10 min walk  Yours TrulySchützenstraße 1, 80335 München7 min walk  Hotel StachusBayerstraße 7, 80335 München5 min walk 
Costs related to participation in the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub will not be reimbursed.
Yes, catering will be provided at the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub. The catering will offer mainly seasonal products.
Yes, the venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. If you have any other accessibility concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at MSC26@bmw-foundation.org. We will try to assist you so you can fully participate in the program. 
The BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub is an environment free of any verbal, physical, sexual, or other form of abuse and harassment. The BMW Foundation does not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, nationality, social background, sex and perceived gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, religion, political views or other factors. You may want to familiarize yourself with our Event Manifesto.
We don’t provide childcare services at the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub.

Program

The program will be updated regularly. Visit this page to stay up to date on program sessions and speakers.   
All panels and sessions of the program of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion are created and curated by our team based on the event’s strategic goals.  However, we look forward to your engagement and valuable input as a participant. 
Attending all sessions is not mandatory, but we highly recommend you immerse yourself in as many sessions as possible. We have created an exciting and insightful program. 
No, you don’t need to prepare anything in advance. However, we recommend that you regularly visit this website and our social media channels to stay informed and prepare for your participation at the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub.   

Our Partners

Atlantik-Brücke e.V.
Boston Consulting Group
Columbia University
Council foreign relations
Edelman
Energy Resilience Leadership Group
Eurasia Group
International Energy Agency
ONS Foundation
Rand Corporation
Tagesspiegel
The New York Times
Atlantik-Brücke e.V.
Boston Consulting Group
Columbia University. Center on Global Energy Policy
Council Foreign Relations
Edelman
Energy Resilience Leadership Group
Eurasia Group
International Energy Agency
ONS Foundation
Rand Corporation
Tagesspiegel
The New York Times

LOCATION

The Pavilion is located at Lenbachplatz 7, just a 3 minute walk from the MSC’s main venue, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Part of the Munich Security Conference 2026

The 62st Munich Security Conference (MSC) will take place from February 13 to 15, 2026, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. As the leading forum for international security policy, the MSC 2026 will once again enable high-level debates on the key foreign and security policy challenges of our time.

Contact us

The BMW Foundation Team
E-Mail msc26@bmw-foundation.org

Don't hesitate to contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. For press inquiries, contact our Communications Team: communication@bmw-foundation.org