Amidst soaring defense spending, higher borrowing costs, erosion of energy intensive industries, renewed energy price hikes and possibly physical shortages, the European Union and its Member States are again struggling to stabilize the European economies. Governments are tempted by uncoordinated, short-term moves while in Brussels, there is a struggle between the “more of the same” and the “scrap it largely” approaches to the transition.

Against an international backdrop marked by the war in Ukraine, Russia’s emergence as a lasting threat to Europe, and an uncertain U.S. commitment to the Old Continent, questions about the future of the transatlantic relationship are mounting.

Between fragmentation and interdependence: rethinking global governance

Created by Thierry de Montbrial, founder and executive chairman of the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), the World Policy Conference (WPC) will hold its 18th edition from April 24 to 26, 2026, at Domaine Les Fontaines in Gouvieux, Chantilly.