PRESS RELEASE 3 May 2021 – for immediate release

Von der Leyen, Okonjo-Iweala, Georgieva and 150 decision-makers to discuss Europe’s global role

An unprecedented number of high-ranking international decision-makers and academics from across the world will join the 10th edition of The State of the Union Conference. Organised by the European University Institute in Florence, “Europe in a Changing World” (6-7 May 2021) will  discuss Europe’s role on the global stage, zooming in on eight topics ranging from artificial intelligence to peace and human rights.

Since 2011, The State of the Union Conference is the annual summit for high-level reflection on the EU. This year’s anniversary edition will take place on an innovative digital platform designed to bolster engagement between the speakers and the distinguished audience.

Decision-makers from around the world expected

Leading voices from Europe and beyond will take the stage, including Heads of Government, Government Ministers, European Commissioners and Heads of International Organisations.

Among the speakers are Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization; Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank; Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission; Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy; Edi Rama, Prime Minister, Albania; Ayşe Cihan Sultanoğlu, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations and Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, European Commission.

With more than 150 speakers on the programme, the 10th edition of The State of the Union will be the largest to date.

Professor Renaud Dehousse, President of the European University Institute, said:
“We are proud to welcome such an impressive array of top-level speakers to discuss Europe’s role on the global stage. Over the past decade, The State of The Union Conference has firmly established itself as a key forum for discussion on the most pertinent issues facing Europe and Europeans. When policy-makers and academics meet, innovative ideas for policy-making in challenging times are born.”

Europe and the world in eight topics

The two-day conference is packed with plenary addresses, one-on-one conversations and panel debates. Participants will discuss Europe’s role on the global stage in sessions on artificial intelligence, climate, geopolitics, the global economy, multilateralism, peace and human rights, public health, and strategic autonomy.

The State of the Union opens on the morning of 6 May 2021 with a high-level address by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio will deliver the closing remarks on the evening of 7 May 2021.
A select expert audience will be invited to take part via an interactive event platform and the full event will be livestreamed at stateoftheunion.eui.eu from Thursday 6 May, 09:00 AM CEST onwards.

#SOU4YOU: Bringing The State of the Union Closer to Citizens

The two-day conference will be complemented by an in-person event for over 300 students and young activists on Saturday 8 May. The live show with artists, influencers, and Members of the European Parliament is part of the Citizens Engagement Actions co-funded by the EP.

#SOU4YOU – Bringing the State of the Union Closer to Citizens aims at creatively engaging young people, civil society organisations, and minority representatives on the big questions facing Europe to make sure the wider public feels part of the debate. It will also represent a symbolic stepping stone towards the Conference on the Future of Europe which will be launched on the following day in Strasbourg.

END

PROGRAMME

The State of the Union Conference – 10th Anniversary edition
“Europe in a Changing World”
6 - 7 May 2021, 10 AM CEST

•    Speaker line-up
•    Programme
•    Live event tweets: @EUISoU
•    Event hashtag: #SOU2021
•    Website: stateoftheunion.eui.eu

The State of the Union is supported by a range of partners.

#SOU4YOU – Bringing the State of the Union Closer to Citizens
“Europe in a Changing World”
8 May 2021, 3.30 PM CEST, Fiesole, Italy

•    Event website
•    Programme
•    Registration for live participation (please indicate press affiliation)

ACCESS, QUESTIONS AND MEDIA REQUESTS

•    The event will be livestreamed at stateoftheunion.eui.eu from Thursday 6 May, 09:00 CEST without the need for prior registration. If you’d like to have access to the event platform, please contact SoUPress@eui.eu.
•    Media questions sent in advance via e-mail will be shared with the moderators and speakers for their consideration: SoUPress@eui.eu.
•    Interview requests for EUI-affiliated speakers: SoUPress@eui.eu.

ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UNION

The State of the Union is an annual event for reflection on the European Union. It is organised by the European University Institute and takes place in Florence each May. Over the past ten years, The State of the Union has become a key reference point for EU policy-makers, civil society representatives, diplomats, business and opinion leaders, and academics. Previous speakers include Presidents, Prime Ministers, and the heads of the European Institutions. The State of the Union is a unique forum where a diverse group of key actors can gather to debate and reflect, together, on Europe’s most pressing issues. In times of crisis or instability, such a nuanced understanding of the EU’s successes, failures and challenges is crucial.

The organisation of The State of the Union is made possible thanks to the support of its partners.

-

Media contacts:

Roeland Scholtalbers, Communications specialist | SoUPress@eui.eu | +393516441013
Marco Incerti, Director, COM Service | SoUPress@eui.eu | +393271598705