Registration
The Future Security of Europe is about preparing today for what we don’t want to happen tomorrow
Registration
The Future Security of Europe is about preparing today for what we don’t want to happen tomorrow
"The Future Security of Europe is about preparing today for what we don’t want to happen tomorrow"
Program Overview
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DAY ONE (12 MAY)
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08:15 - 9:00 Registration & Breakfast​
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09:00 - 9:05 Welcoming Remarks:
Taking responsibility for our own security - is there an upside to the uncertainty we now we live in?
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Nicholas Sarvari - President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary​
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09:05 - 9:20 Welcoming Remarks:
Catalyzing innovation and industrial growth in the CEE Defence ecosystem
Europe’s capability gaps, industrial requirements and the strategic imperative for accelerated cooperation and the role of CEE in the defence of Europe.
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Tamás Vargha - Deputy Minister of Defence, Hungary
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09:20 - 9:35 Keynote:
Canada's role in a stronger European Defence: Innovation, industrial capacity and transatlantic integration
Focus on Canada’s complementary strengths, industrial partnerships, technology contributions and long-term commitment to European security.
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John Hannaford - Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada to the European Union
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09:35 - 10:00 Keynote:
SAFE explained Objectives, governance and industry implications
Why SAFE was launched, its link to EU strategic autonomy, and how it complements NATO. The ≥65% European content requirement—what it means for primes, SMEs, and partners.
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European Commission - DG DEFIS
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10:00 - 11:00 Panel I.
Expanding manufacturing mass and building capacity: Can CEE be a safe hub?
​An opportunity for participants to continue discussions and build connections in an informal setting.
​Discussion of Europe’s manufacturing shortfall, opportunities for joint CEE–Canada production, increasing throughput, and creating scalable capacity for a long-duration conflict situation.
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Moderator: TBD
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Panelists: ​​
István Sárhegyi - CEO, 4iG Space & Defence Technologies - TBC
Andrew Shepherd - Vice President Land and Joint Mission Systems, General Dynamics
Thomas Hein - Head of Europe, Airbus Helicopters - TBC
Helmut Rauch - CEO/President Corporate Division, Diehl BGT Defense - TBC
PGZ - TBC
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11:00 - 11:30 Coffee & Networking Break
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11:30 - 12:30 Panel II.
Fortifying supply chain resilience through diversification
Focus on reducing strategic dependence, benefits of integrating nonEuropean suppliers into European networks, creating redundancies and ensuring component security across borders.
​Moderator: TBD
​Panelists:
Colin Barker - Executive Director, Defence Exports Division Government of Canada
Tomasz Husak – Director of Defence Policy, DG DEFIS
Three seats are still available
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12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
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13:30 - 14:30 Panel III.
Critical advanced technologies and European needs
Examination of technology gaps in surveillance, sensors, command systems, cyber defence, unmanned platforms, advanced materials, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence. Showcasing the complementary strengths of CEE and Canadian innovators.
​Moderator: Defence technology expert from the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) or 4iG​
Panelists:
France Hebert - President, CAE Defence & Security Canada
David Arnold - Senior Director Sales Engineering, BlackBerry Canada
Mischa Neidinger - Territory Director BD Europe, L3Harris WESCAM
Steve Mills - Vice President Global Government, Eutelsat
Only one seat is available
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14:30 - 14:45 Coffee & Networking Break
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14:45 - 15:15 Keynote:
Interoperability and operational integration under SAFE
Providing a view on EU policy direction on interoperability and SAFE objectives
European Commission - DG DEFIS
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15:15 - 16:15 Panel IV.
Interoperability and operational integration under SAFE: Industry view
This panel explores practical steps for harmonising standards, accelerating data exchange, aligning platforms and training, enabling seamless joint operations and the role of technology in advancing interoperability.
​Moderator: TBD
Panelists:
Pietro Mazzei - President & CEO, Rheinmetall Canada
Zoltan Poser - CEO, N7
France Hebert - President, CAE Defence & Security Canada
Two seats are still available
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16:15 End of Day One
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18:30 - 20:00 EVENING RECEPTION
Location: Kimpton BEM Budapest
DAY TWO (13 MAY)
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08:30 - 09:00 Registration & Breakfast
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09:00 - 10:00 Roundtable:
Define the areas for cooperation along the national needs
National representatives sharing the areas of planned capability development under SAFE that would need stronger industrial cooperation to fulfill EU and national demand.
​Panelists:
Brigadier General László Deme - National Armament Director, Hungary
Martin ÄŒatloš - National Armament Director, Slovakia
Maj. Gen. Dr. Artur Kuptel – Head of the Armament Agency, Poland - TBC
Colonel Nikolay V. Nikolov - National Armament Director, Bulgaria - TBC
Dr. Luisa Riccardi - Deputy National Armament Director, Italy
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10:00 - 10:30 Keynote:
Investment support schemes to facilitate European capacity development
Showcasing how the right Foreign Direct Investment incentive schemes can make a country as a hub for SAFE
István Joó - CEO, Hungarian Investment and Promotion Agency​
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10:30 - 11:00 Coffee & Networking Break
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11:00 - 12:30 B2B & B2G Matchmaking
Structured meetings between CEE firms, Canadian companies and government procurement representatives. Focus on immediate collaboration prospects.
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12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
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13:30 - 14:30 Roundtable:
Joint procurement strategies to facilitate rapid capability development
A moderated conversation on how European, NATO and national procurement agencies see joint procurement under SAFE and their recommendations towards the industry.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: ​
Attila Simon - CEO, Védelmi Beszerzési Ügynökség, Hungary - TBC​
Two seats are still available
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14:30 - 15:30 Roundtable:
Financial enablers for rapid capability development
The right financing scheme is instrumental to enable rapid capacity development of OEMs to enable fulfilling contracts under SAFE. Discussion will focusing financing options enabling both OEMs and their supply chain.
​Moderator: TBD
Panelists:
Klaus Houben - Business Development Director, EDC - Europe
Alejandro Raboso - Security & Defence Advisor, EIB
Clint Cossette - Director Business Development Defence and Security, Canadian Commercial Corporation
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15:30 - 15:45 Closing Session
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15:45 Departures
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​Please note that the conference program and venue are subject to change. The organizers reserve the right to make adjustments to the schedule, speakers, and session content without prior notice.