upcoming event

The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2026

15 - 16

October 2026

EUREF CAMPUS, Berlin

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In 2026, progress depends not only on technical feasibility, but increasingly on how change is experienced, negotiated, and accepted in society. This becomes most visible where transformation meets everyday life - in how energy is produced and paid for, how infrastructure reshapes communities, and how cities evolve under pressure - exposing trade-offs and determining whether projects gain support or face resistance.

A Platform for Turning Solutions into Practice The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2026, under the motto “Upwards with Solutions. Onwards with Society.”, brings together leaders and experts from business, policy, science, and civil society to explore how concrete solutions can be implemented, scaled, and turned into reality. The goal is to turn innovation into practice, unlocking economic and societal progress through stronger financing, forward-looking regulation, and effective implementation. At the heart of this effort lies a central question: How can innovative solutions, new ways of thinking, and new partnership models be implemented and scaled to create long-term societal benefit? Achieving this requires collaboration across sectors, societal support for change, and a clear understanding of global trends.

THE PROGRAM

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Exhibition | Coffee, Founders & Solutions: RESPOND Urban & Energy Startups

2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Opening | Board of Directors of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt

2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Keynote | Setting the Course: A Shared Vision for the Future

A political keynote setting out a vision for Europe's future. It explores how Europe can secure long-term prosperity, strengthen its global role, and align economic strength with social cohesion. It outlines the hard choices needed to make that vision a reality.

Charles MICHEL, President Emeritus of the European Council and Former Prime Minister of Belgium

2:30 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.

Fireside Chat | From Vision to Reality

A conversation on the political choices needed to turn Europe's vision into reality.

Charles MICHEL, President Emeritus of the European Council and Former Prime Minister of Belgium
Lars-Hendrik RÖLLER, Professor of Economics at ESMT Berlin and Founder and Chairman of the Berlin Global Dialogue.

2:55 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.

Panel | Not in My Backyard: Can the Energy Transition Still Win Trust?

The energy transition is not only a technological and economic challenge but also a political and narrative one. As costs and trade-offs become more visible, public support is becoming decisive. Yet too often, the transition lacks a compelling common vision and is instead shaped by fragmented messages and competing narratives.

Kerstin ANDREAE, Chair of the Executive Board, BDEW
Klaus MÜLLER, President, Bundesnetzagentur
Selma LOSSAU, Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Netze BW

3:40 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Scientific Impulse | Energy Architecture: From Sectoral Gains to System Integration

The focus shifts from individual technologies to the broader question of how electrification, storage, hydrogen for hard-to-abate industry and baseload can work together in Europe's energy system to secure supply, maintain affordability and preserve industrial competitiveness.

Reinhard HÜTTL, Managing Partner and Scientific Director, EEI

3:50 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Panel | Beyond the Obvious: Gaps in the Energy Debate

Europe's energy debate often moves between two time horizons: long-term bets on technologies such as small modular reactors and fusion, and the solutions that can be built and scaled today. Between them lie questions that receive far too little attention, and they may prove decisive for Europe's security, competitiveness and climate goals.

Philipp SCHRÖDER, CEO, 1KOMMA5°
Tinne VAN DER STRAETEN, CEO, WindEurope
Leif Johan SEVLAND, President & CEO, ONS

4:20 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Break

4:50 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Panel | Where Transformation Becomes Tangible: Local Ecosystems as Europe's Competitive Edge

Europe has placed a historic bet: decarbonizing its industrial base while remaining competitive and technologically sovereign. The answers are already emerging from industrial sites and local ecosystems, where industry, startups, research institutions and public authorities collaborate to accelerate transformation, speed up deployment and bring new technologies into real-world use.

Stefan KOLEV, Member, Scientific Advisory Council on Economic Policy, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Maike LAMBARTH, CO-Founder & CEO, Cyclize
Jörgen SANDSTRÖM, Head of Industrial Transformation, World Economic Forum

5:25 p.m. - 6:25 p.m.

Solution Showcases | RESPOND Accelerator: Innovation in Practice

The transition towards a resilient, competitive, and net-zero future is already reshaping
industrial systems, resource dependencies, and societal resilience. Through five RESPOND startup showcases, this session explores the defining tensions driving this transformation, highlighting breakthrough technologies across energy, materials, buildings, cities, and carbon removal.Moderated Conversation:

Lubomila JORDANOVA, Founder, Plan A

Future Energy Systems | Centralized vs. Distributed Energy Systems

Felix BÖHMER, CEO, Factor2Energy

Critical Materials | Fossil Dependency vs. Industrial Resilience

Seadna QUIGLEY, CEO, Level Nine

Sustainable Built Environment | Cooling vs. Carbon

Sandra GO, CEO, Emissiv

Resilient Cities | Efficiency vs. Resilience

Tiago MARQUES, CEO, greenmetrics.ai

Carbon Removal | Emissions Reduction vs. Carbon Removal

Florian BIRNER, Managing Director, Planeteers

6.25 p.m. – 6.40 p.m.

Conversation | Winning Together: Collaboration and Competitiveness

A conversation exploring how competition, collaboration and leadership drive success in business and sports, build trust and create lasting impact.

Herbert HAINER, President FC Bayern München

6:40 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Dinner

8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Happy Hour & Networking

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Exhibition | Coffee, Founders & Solutions: RESPOND Urban & Energy Startups

9:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.

Opening

9:05 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Keynote | AI: The Human Layer: Judgment in the Age of AI

AI has gone from miracle to menace in the public mind. Fears about jobs are rising, communities are pushing back, and even AI's own builders are calling to slow down. Beneath the noise is a quieter and more urgent question: as AI agents take over more of our work, who is still making the call?

Kevin BAUER, Professor for Game-Theoretic and Causal AI in Business and Economics, Goethe University Frankfurt

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Panel | How AI is Changing Energy, Industry and Society

AI is becoming part of Europe's economic and physical infrastructure. It runs on electricity, grids, chips and water, and it is beginning to transform how energy systems, industry and cities operate. The opportunities are significant. At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI raises important questions about energy demand, local acceptance, security and accountability, and about how its benefits can be broadly shared.

Kevin BAUER, Professor for Game-Theoretic and Causal AI in Business and Economics, Goethe University Frankfurt
Kathrin GÜNTHER, CTO, TenneT Germany
Philipp JUSTUS, Country Manager Germany and VP Central Europe, Google

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Panel and Impulse | Scaling & Capital: Building Capacity and Financing Europe's Long-Term Growth

Long-term competitiveness depends on innovation, but innovation depends on the right capabilities, governance and financing. This session explores how public, private and catalytic capital can mobilize patient investment, build trust and create the conditions for long-term growth.

Jean-Christophe LALOUX, Director General, Head of EU Lending and Advisory Operations, EIB
Tim BÖLTKEN, CEO, Ineratec
Simona PARAVANI-MELLINGHOFF, Managing Director, Global CIO of Solutions, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions, BlackRock; Supernumerary Fellow; Distinguished Affiliated Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Networking Break incl. Guided Startup & Innovations Tour

An interactive guided tour introducing the five thematic clusters of the RESPOND cohort and showcasing the startups behind breakthrough solutions for the energy transition and future urban development.

11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

Interactive Panel | The Dynamics of Societal Change

in cooperation with Tagesspiegel

Society is undergoing profound change, driven by AI, the energy transition and geopolitical shifts. Yet lasting transformation depends not only on innovation, but also on trust and public support. As many people struggle with the pace and consequences of change, this conversation explores how society adapts and how support for necessary transformation can be built. Moderated Conversation:

Anja WEHLER-SCHÖCK, Member of the Editorial Board, Tagesspiegel

Janina MÜTZE, co-founder and CEO of Civey
Anna HERRHAUSEN, Board member Phineo

12:50 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.

Closing Keynote | The Economics of Progress: Innovation, Competition, and Creative Destruction

A keynote exploring how innovation, competition and creative destruction drive economic renewal, and how technological change in energy and AI can translate into implementation, scale and ultimately economic and societal progress.

Philippe AGHION, Nobel Laureate in Economics 2025

1:10 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

Official Closing

1:20 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Download the PDF version of the program here_{For the most updated version, please refer to the online program available on this page}

DOWNLOAD

Energy Transition & Infrastructure

Technology, Capital Mobilization & Competitiveness

Societal Trust, Networks & Effective Collaboration

Location

The Forum will take place at the EUREF Campus, just an 8-minute walk from Schöneberg S-Bahn Station and 1 km from Südkreuz train station.

GET TO KNOW

The Speakers

Philippe AGHION

Charles MICHEL

Maike LAMBARTH

Kerstin ANDREAE

Klaus MÜLLER

Reinhard HÜTTL

Jörgen SANDSTRÖM

Tinne VAN DER STRAETEN

Stefan KOLEV

Simona PARAVANI-MELLINGHOFF

Lubomila JORDANOVA

Herbert HAINER

Kevin BAUER

Kathrin GÜNTHER

Philipp JUSTUS

Tim BÖLTKEN

Selma LOSSAU

Philipp SCHRÖDER

Janina MÜTZE

Anna HERRHAUSEN

Jean-Christophe LALOUX

Leif Johan SEVLAND

Lars-Hendrik RÖLLER

Philippe AGHIONNobel Prize Laureate 2025Philippe Aghion is a Nobel Prize-winning French economist shaping global thinking on innovation-driven growth. Chair of Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth at the Collège de France and professor at INSEAD, he is best known for the Aghion–Howitt model and the modern Schumpeterian theory of creative destruction. His research has influenced policy on innovation, competition, inequality, climate and AI, helping leaders build resilient, opportunity-rich economies.

Charles MICHELPresident Emeritus of the European Council and Former Prime Minister of BelgiumCharles Michel served as President of the European Council from 2019 to 2024 and as Prime Minister of Belgium from 2014 to 2019. During his European mandate, he helped shape the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, support for Ukraine, climate action and digital transformation. A strong advocate for European sovereignty, competitiveness and international cooperation, he brings extensive experience in geopolitics, security and global affairs. He is the founder of Charles Michel Office and Senior Counsel at Clay Arbitration. He also holds academic positions at CEIBS, the College of Europe (Tirana) and ESCP.

Maike LAMBARTHCO-Founder & CEO, CyclizeAs an engineer and second time founder, Maike Lambarth knows the challenges and rewards of enterpreneurship. As CEO and co-founder of Cyclize, she drives the company growth, leads business meetings and presentations, showcasing the strengths of their proprietary technology with passion and expertise.

Kerstin ANDREAEChair of the Executive Board, BDEWKerstin Andreae is Chair of the Executive Management Board of BDEW, a position she has held since November 2019. An economist by training, she previously served as a Member of the German Bundestag for Alliance 90/The Greens from 2002 to 2019. During her parliamentary career, she held several senior roles, including Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader and Spokesperson for Economic Policy, with a focus on economic, financial, labour and social policy.

Klaus MÜLLERPresident, BundesnetzagenturKlaus Müller took office as President of the Bundesnetzagentur in Bonn in March 2022. Prior to that he had been the executive director of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V.) in Berlin. He held the same position at the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer organisation (Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V.) in Düsseldorf from 2006 to 2014. Klaus Müller was a member of the regional parliament of Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel for one year, where he also served as minister of the environment, nature conservation and agriculture from 2003 to 2005 and minister of the environment, nature and forestry from 2000 to 2003. He was a member of the German Bundestag in Bonn/Berlin for two years from 1998, having begun his professional career at the Schleswig-Holstein investment bank (IB.SH) in Kiel in the same year following a degree in economics. Klaus Müller is a member of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and a German Marshall Fund fellow.

Reinhard HÜTTLManaging Partner and Scientific Director, EEIReinhard 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.

Jörgen SANDSTRÖMHead, Transforming Industrial Ecosystems, World Economic ForumJörgen Sandström is Head of Transforming Industrial Ecosystems at the World Economic Forum, leading global teams and CEO-led initiatives across industrial transformation, energy, materials and infrastructure. He has built and scaled global public-private platforms, including Transitioning Industrial Clusters, connecting 40+ clusters and 100+ companies. Previously, he led the Forum’s Mining & Metals community and its industrial transformation work in Greater China. A former renewable energy executive, Swedish diplomat and naval officer, he brings 25+ years of international leadership experience.

Tinne VAN DER STRAETENCEO, WindEuropeTinne Van der Straeten is the CEO of WindEurope, a position she has held since February 2026.Prior to that she served as Belgium’s Minister for Energy from October 2020 to the beginning of 2025. In this role, she steered Belgium through the energy crisis and strengthened European energy cooperation. Before her time as Minister, she served in the Belgian Federal Parliament for two periods (2007-2010, 2019-2020). In 2010 she co-founded the Brussels-based law firm Blixt, a law firm specialising in energy law. Tinne Van der Straeten holds a law degree from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB).

Stefan KOLEVMember, Scientific Advisory Council on Economic Policy, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and EnergyStefan Kolev has been Director of the Ludwig Erhard Forum for Economy and Society since March 2023. He has been Professor of Economic Policy at the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau since March 2012. His main research interests include ordoliberal economics and the history of economic thought. He is co-editor of the ORDO Yearbook of Economic and Social Order and the Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch. As part of his research at the LEF, he is currently focusing in particular on the economics of innovation and the reduction of bureaucracy.

Simona PARAVANI-MELLINGHOFFManaging Director, Global CIO of Solutions, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions, BlackRockSimona Paravani-Mellinghoff, Managing Director, is Global CIO of Solutions for Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions at BlackRock. She is Distinguished Affiliate Professor at Cambridge University where she teaches AI applied to Finance. She has received several industry awards including being named Role Model and Investment Woman of the Year at the 2022 Women in Investment Awards by Investment Week. In 2022, she was awarded the title of Commendatore OMRI for her professional achievements and her commitment to education. In 2023, her contributions to the industry were recognised through receiving the ‘Italian Excellence Abroad’ award from the Italian Parliament.

Lubomila JORDANOVAFounder Plan ALubomila Jordanova founded Plan A in 2017 to help businesses measure and reduce their carbon emissions. She grew the company into a European decarbonisation platform before its acquisition by Diginex in 2026, where she subsequently served as CEO and now serves as Senior Advisor to the Board. She also co-founded the Greentech Alliance, which connects climate startups with advisors and now has more than 5,000 members and 700 advisors. She recently joined Glint Solar’s Board of Directors and also serves on the Sustainability Council of WEPA, the German conglomerate, and the European Investment Bank’s Advisory Board for Climate.

Herbert HAINERPresident FC Bayern MünchenHerbert Hainer, born in 1954 in Dingolfing, is a leading figure in German business and sport. From 2001 to 2016, he served as CEO of adidas, helping shape the company into one of the world’s leading sporting goods manufacturers. Since 2019, he has been President and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FC Bayern Munich. Combining management expertise with a passion for sport, Hainer stands for long-term economic stability, innovation and social responsibility.

Kevin BAUERProfessor for Game-Theoretic and Causal AI in Business and Economics, Goethe University FrankfurtKevin Bauer completed his PhD at Goethe University Frankfurt in 2018. He subsequently joined Frankfurt’s startup hub TechQuartier as an AI specialist. From 2023 to 2024, he was a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Mannheim. In 2025, he returned to Goethe University Frankfurt as tenured Professor of Game-Theoretic and Causal AI. Kevin is a member of the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence (hessian.AI) and holds a bridge professorship affiliated with the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE. His research lies at the intersection of technology and economics, with a particular focus on explainable AI, causal machine learning, and human–AI collaboration.

Kathrin GÜNTHERCTO, TenneT GermanySince 1 September 2025, Kathrin Günther has been shaping the future of one of the key players in the energy transition as Chief Transformation Officer of TenneT Germany. In this role, she is responsible for the company’s overarching transformation agenda and plays a pivotal role in driving TenneT Germany’s digital evolution. Her areas of responsibility include Corporate Security, Business Technology (IT), Digital & Organizational Transformation, and Human Resources. Kathrin Günther combines deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen and strong transformational leadership capabilities.

Philipp JUSTUSCountry Manager Germany and VP Central Europe, GooglePhilipp JUSTUS leads Google’s business and operations in a region covering Germany, Austria, Switzerland and CEE. Before joining Google in 2013, Philipp was the CEO of Zanox, the Berlin-based performance marketing network, and held various executive roles at eBay and PayPal over a period of ten years, including as VP Europe, SVP Auctions and SVP Global Markets. Philipp is a graduate of the WHU School of Management in Koblenz, Germany, and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a member of the boards of Bitkom, Germany’s digital association, and AmCham Germany.

Tim BÖLTKENCEO, 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.

Selma LOSSAUChief Technical Officer (CTO), Netze BWDr. Selma Lossau is Managing Director for Technology at Netze BW GmbH. She has many years of experience in the energy sector. After studying industrial engineering at TU Berlin and completing an industry-sponsored doctorate at Daimler in the field of biogenic fuels, she joined the EnBW Group in 2013. She has held various positions, including in renewable energy and the grid integration of electric mobility. Since 2019, she has held leadership roles at Netze BW, including grid development management, grid connections, and responsibility for the southern grid region covering the construction, operation, and connection of electricity, gas, and fiber-optic infrastructure. She has extensive expertise in grid operations and transformation and serves on several industry committees and supervisory boards.

Philipp SCHRÖDERCEO, 1KOMMA5°As the former Country Director for Tesla Germany & Austria and Managing Director of sonnen, Philipp Schröder has played a key role in some of the world’s most successful cleantech companies. Having grown up on an organic farm in Northern Germany, he now leads 1KOMMA5° as co-founder and CEO; the company closed Europe’s largest cleantech Series A round in 2022 and achieved "unicorn" status with a valuation of one billion euros in 2023. An experienced keynote speaker at international events, Philipp Schröder also shares his long-standing expertise in the energy sector on renowned TV programs such as "Lanz."

Janina MÜTZECo-founder and CEO of CiveyJanina Mütze (born in 1990) is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Civey. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of Berliner Sparkasse. Her work focuses particularly on transformation and digitalisation, societal change, as well as leadership and entrepreneurship.She is a member of the Advisory Board for Entrepreneurship at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) and a columnist for various daily and specialist publications, including Handelsblatt and p&k. Janina Mütze also regularly provides analysis of political and societal developments as an expert on elections and opinion polling for the German television channel WELT.

Anna HERRHAUSENBoard member PhineoDr. Anna Herrhausen is committed to a vibrant democracy. To this end, she volunteers on the boards of trustees of the Hertie School, the Innovate Europe Foundation, the Gabriele and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kluge Foundation and the German Academy for Language and Poetry. She is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and Atlantik Brücke. Dr. Herrhausen also builds bridges to bring different worlds together. As a political scientist, she has over 20 years of professional experience in private sector companies and contributes her experience and network to civil society as a member of the board of PHINEO.

Jean-Christophe LALOUXDirector General, Head of EU Lending and Advisory Operations, EIBJean-Christophe Laloux is Director General, Head of EU Lending and Advisory Operations at the European Investment Bank (EIB). Since joining the EIB in 1999, he has held various senior roles, including Head of Human Resources. He has played a key role in developing innovative financing instruments and transforming the Bank’s business delivery model. Previously, he worked at Boston Consulting Group and PwC. He holds degrees from KU Leuven and Ghent University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Leif Johan SEVLANDPresident and CEO, Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) FoundationLeif Johan Sevland is a Norwegian business executive and former politician. He was Mayor of Stavanger from 1995 to 2011. As mayor, Sevland worked to stimulate growth and innovation in the international energy sector and was among the initiators of World Energy Cities Partnership, where he served as President for seven years. In 2012, Sevland became President & CEO of the ONS Foundation. Since then, ONS has developed into a global energy forum with 70 000 visitors, more than 1,200 speakers on 9 conference arenas in addition to a substantial exhibition area. Sevland also serves on several boards.

Lars-Hendrik RÖLLERProfessor of Economics at ESMT Berlin and Founder and Chairman of the Berlin Global Dialogue.Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller is Professor of Economics at ESMT Berlin and a leading expert on economics, competition, and geopolitical risks. From 2011 to 2021, he served as Chief Economic Advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and as G7 and G20 Sherpa. Previously, he was President of ESMT Berlin and Chief Economist for Competition Policy at the European Commission. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

MEET

The Moderators

Maithreyi SEETHARAMAN

Ali ASLAN

Anja WEHLER-SCHÖCK

Maithreyi SEETHARAMANCEO, Facultas Media Limited, LondonMaithreyi Seetharaman is a London-based international journalist and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of global media experience. Founder of Facultas Media, she creates and hosts editorial content and leadership initiatives focused on sustainability and transition. She currently hosts Dow’s Plastics Unwrapped, writes The Chief Brief, and serves on the GLOBSEC Women Leaders Council. Her previous roles include Fortune, Euronews, CNBC Europe and Bloomberg Television. She holds master’s degrees in international relations and journalism.

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.

Anja WEHLER-SCHÖCKMember of the Editorial Board, Tagesspiegel

WHILE YOU WAIT

Revisit The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2025

Take a look at

Speakers Across Our Events

Maria Leptin

John F. Kerry

Anne-Laure de Chammard

Bruno Le Maire

Kristalina Georgieva

General David Petraeus

Leonhard Birnbaum

Kirsten Dunlop

Juan Manuel Santos

Oleksandra Matviichuk

Alexander de Croo

MARIA LEPTIN

JOHN F. KERRY

ANNE-LAURE DE CHAMMARD

BRUNO LE MAIRE

KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA

GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS

LEONHARD BIRNBAUM

KIRSTEN DUNLOP

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS

OLEKSANDRA MATVIICHUK

ALEXANDER DE CROO

You have the questions, we have the answers.

FAQs

General Information

When and where will the Forum take place?

The Leaders Collaboration Forum will take place on 15 and 16 October 2026 in Berlin at the EUREF-Campus, Berlin.

How can I participate, and is there a fee?

The Forum is free of charge. However, spots are limited. Please register soon if you have not already done so via the link in your personal invitation mail that you received. The invitation is not transferable.

Is there an option for virtual participation?

Parts of the Forum program will be livestreamed with options for virtual participation. More information will be available soon.

Do I have to print out a conference pass?

No, you can check-in at our welcome desk upon arrival and will then receive a name badge giving you access to the entire venue.

When should I arrive in Berlin?

The official program will be available soon. We recommend you come earlier or stay longer to make the most of your time in Berlin.

What is the conference language?

The conference language is English.

Can I share on my social media that I am attending?

Yes, we encourage you to do so.

Logistics

How do I travel to Berlin?

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the international airport of Berlin. When you arrive, you will find the railway station directly below Terminal 1. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains leave for Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof) four times an hour. The journey takes 30 minutes. The S-Bahn lines S45 and S9 also connect BER to the city center and depart every 20 minutes. Please note that traveling by S-Bahn will take longer than the Airport Express, averaging 50 minutes.Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof) The EUREF-Campus is ~20 min by public transport from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station).

How do I get around Berlin?

Berlin public transport is an environmentally friendly, efficient and affordable way to get around the city during your stay. You can find the official site of the public transport company Berlin (BVG) here.

Can I get reimbursed for my travel costs?

No, costs arising from participation in the Forum will not be reimbursed.

Is catering provided during the Forum?

Yes, catering will be provided during the Forum. The catering tackles the challenge of using mainly regional and seasonal products while offering a balanced menu. All meals will be also available in a vegan option.

Is the venue barrier free and accessible?

Yes, the venue is fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. If you have any other accessibility concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at collaborationforum@bmw-foundation.org. We will try to provide you with assistance to be able to fully participate in the program.

Is there a code of conduct?

The Forum is a space free of verbal, physical, or sexual harassment and assault. The BMW Foundation does not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, national or social origin, sex and perceived gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, religion, political or other opinion.

Can I bring family members in need of care?

No, we do not have any designated spaces at the venue that can adequately accommodate people in need of care at the Forum.

Do you offer childcare services?

No, we do not provide part- or full-time childcare at the Forum.

What is the dress code?

There is no set dress code at the Forum. Most participants of our formats dress from smart casual to professional.

What do I do if I can no longer participate?

If you can no longer participate, please update your details or let us know at collaborationforum@bmw-foundation.org.

Program

Is there more information about the program?

A more detailed program will follow soon. We will gradually publish more information before the Forum. Visit the event page to stay up to date on the program sessions and speakers.

Can I contribute, be a panelist, or host a session?

No. The program of the Forum is designed as an immersive and participatory experience. We look forward to your engagement and valuable input.

Do I have to attend all sessions?

No, attending all sessions is not mandatory for participation at the Forum.

Do I need to prepare something in advance?

No, it is not necessary to prepare for anything in advance. To stay informed about the Forum and prepare for your participation on site, you can visit this website and our social media channels regularly

Want to learn more about the work of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt?

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The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2026

THE PROGRAM

Exhibition | Coffee, Founders & Solutions: RESPOND Urban & Energy Startups

Opening | Board of Directors of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt

Keynote | Setting the Course: A Shared Vision for the Future

Fireside Chat | From Vision to Reality

Panel | Not in My Backyard: Can the Energy Transition Still Win Trust?

Scientific Impulse | Energy Architecture: From Sectoral Gains to System Integration

Panel | Beyond the Obvious: Gaps in the Energy Debate

Break

Panel | Where Transformation Becomes Tangible: Local Ecosystems as Europe's Competitive Edge

Solution Showcases | RESPOND Accelerator: Innovation in Practice

Conversation | Winning Together: Collaboration and Competitiveness

Dinner

Happy Hour & Networking

Exhibition | Coffee, Founders & Solutions: RESPOND Urban & Energy Startups

Opening

Keynote | AI: The Human Layer: Judgment in the Age of AI

Panel | How AI is Changing Energy, Industry and Society

Panel and Impulse | Scaling & Capital: Building Capacity and Financing Europe's Long-Term Growth

Networking Break incl. Guided Startup & Innovations Tour

Interactive Panel | The Dynamics of Societal Change

Closing Keynote | The Economics of Progress: Innovation, Competition, and Creative Destruction

Official Closing

Lunch

Focus Areas

Location

The Speakers

The Moderators

Revisit The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2025

Speakers Across Our Events

FAQs

General Information

Logistics

Program

Cannot attend in person? Sign up to the livestream.