EFA25: Opening of the Europe in the World Days
Foreign Ministers from Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania are part of the opening of the Europe in the World Days in Alpbach.
With a high-profile opening, the Europe in the World Days – and thus the second week of the European Forum Alpbach 2025 – commence today. Under this year’s theme, Recharge Europe, the focus is on how Europe can shape its future in a world defined by geopolitical conflicts, ecological crises, and global competition for innovation.
“For 80 years, Alpbach has been a place of dialogue. In 2025, more than ever, it must become a place of solutions. Europe will be taken seriously when it takes itself seriously: when we speak with one voice, deliver on our common decisions, and honestly show our citizens what this requires. In Alpbach, we want to find the courage to ask these difficult questions – and to work together on the answers.”, explained Othmar Karas, outlining the goals of his first Forum as President.
At the heart of today’s opening are personalities who will illuminate Europe from very different perspectives: Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger meets her counterparts from Romania and the Czech Republic, Oana Țoiu and Jan Lipavský. Contributions from business and diplomacy will be provided by Erste Group CEO Peter Bosek and Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Munich Security Conference Foundation. The debate will be moderated by Corinna Milborn, journalist and Director of Information at ProSiebenSat.1 PULS4.
Together, they will address the major challenges of our time: How can Europe hold its own in a fragmented world order? What answers can it provide to war, geopolitical rivalry and the climate crisis? And how can economic innovation be combined with democratic resilience? The opening thus sets the tone for four intensive days of exchange, inspiration and vision.
Highlights on 24 August include the two hikes “Mainstreaming Extremism: Where is the Red Line for Democracy?” – focusing on the steady encroachment of extremist ideas in democratic societies – and “Listen Now: The Next Generation of Economic Metrics”, which will discuss the consequences of overconsumption. The Europe in the World Days will conclude on 26 August with a closing session featuring Nobel Prize laureates, including Joseph E. Stiglitz, on geoeconomic upheavals, trade wars and shifting alliances.
The Europe in the World Days last until 26 August. The European Forum Alpbach 2025 continues until 29 August. Accreditation for journalists remains open