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Published by IIEA
Sharing Ideas Shaping Policy. The Institute of International and European Affairs is an independent policy research think-tank based in Dublin.
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Baiba Braže currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. From 2020 to 2023, Minister Braže held the post of Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy. Within her remit, she devised and oversaw strategic communications activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands. From 2016 to 2020, she was posted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. From 2003 to 2008, Minister Braže served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands while also representing Latvia in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Radmila Shekerinska took office as NATO Deputy Secretary General on 2 December 2024. As a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, Ms Shekerinska has extensive experience as a policy-maker and consensus-builder. She is a champion of gender balance and a steadfast advocate of strong transatlantic relations. Ms Shekerinska joined NATO following a distinguished political career. She served two terms as Minister of Defence of North Macedonia (2017-2020, 2020-2022), the first woman in that post and the longest-serving defence minister since the country’s independence in 1991.
'America’s World: Views of a Former National Security Advisor' In this edition of IIEA Insights, the successor to Henry Kissinger, Condoleezza Rice and others, 27th U.S. National Security Advisor, Robert C. O’Brien, will discuss the past, present, and future of America’s global role Robert C. O’Brien is the co-founder and chairman of American Global Strategies LLC among many other roles. He was the 27th United States National Security Advisor from 2019-2021, acting at President Donald Trump’s principal advisor on all aspects of American foreign policy and national security affairs. He currently serves on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) in President Donald Trump’s second term.
This symposium includes a keynote address by, and fireside chat with, Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This symposium also includes the launch and presentation of a new paper on the same topic entitled Secure Connections: Ireland’s Digital Infrastructure and the Security of European Connectivity by its authors Cian FitzGerald, Senior Researcher at the IIEA; and Barry Colfer PhD, Director of Research at the IIEA. Following the presentation, the symposium includes a discussion amongst a panel of experts. Panellists include: Garrett Blaney, Chairperson of Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg); Rebecca Nottingham, Director of Bright Subsea Consulting and Trustee at the SubOptic Foundation; Ben Wreschner, Head of Network and Economic Regulation at Vodafone.
'Mid-Year Economic Outlook' In this edition of IIEA insights, Dan O’Brien will be joined by economist and public servant Robert Watt to discuss the economic outlook for the second half of 2026 and beyond. They will discuss global inflationary pressures in the light of recent energy price volatility, economic headwinds and tailwinds, economic aspects of AI, and geopolitical risks. On the Irish economy, they will examine strengths, weaknesses, and the state of public finances. Robert Watt is the CEO Dublin Regeneration Authority. He previously served as Secretary General of the Department of Health and as Secretary General in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, during which time he was one of the principal advisers to the Government on economic, budgetary and financial policy issues. He has a professional background as an economist and has worked in the private, as well as the public sector
Europe's agricultural transition is stalling. While the destination is clear, many farmers feel excluded from decision-making, uncertain about the expectations placed upon them in the context of Europe's transition to net zero, and disproportionately burdened by the cost of change. Yet, this new research from Project Tempo, which will be launched at this IIEA event, tells a more hopeful story and points to a constructive path forward. Drawing on extensive work across France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland, it finds strong latent support among farmers for reform, provided it is fair and clearly defined. This event will present these findings and explore how policymakers, stakeholders, and farmers can work together to deliver a more inclusive and effective transition. This research will be presented by Dagmar Droogsma, who leads Project Tempo's first thematic workstream on the transition to sustainable agriculture. She brings over 30 years' experience across government, industry, and civil society, more than two decades of which have been spent at the intersection of climate, environmental, and agricultural policy in the UK, across the EU, and at the UN. The event will be moderated by Tom Arnold, Chair of the Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee. The presentation will be followed by an expert panel discussion featuring: Dr Pippa Hackett, former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; organic farmer and Manager, Project BASELINE Ian Marshall OBE, former Senator, Seanad Éireann; Head of Business Development and Policy, CASE, Queen's University Belfast Dr Jeanne Moore, Policy Analyst, National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
As quantum technologies continue to rapidly develop, in this event, Oscar Diez, Deputy Head of Unit for Quantum Technologies at the European Commission, will outline the role of the forthcoming European Quantum Act. Mr Diez will particularly discuss how the EU can support the transition from scientific excellence to industrial capacity, including access to infrastructures, scale-up, skills, supply chains and market uptake. Mr Diez will also reflect on how the Quantum Act and wider Quantum Europe Strategy can play a role in helping to promote Europe’s competitiveness agenda and drive innovation in Europe. About the Speaker: Oscar Diez is the Deputy Head of Unit for Quantum Technologies at the European Commission, where he leads strategic initiatives to position Europe as a global leader in the quantum domain. Mr Diez is also an adjunct professor at IE University in Madrid. With a background in both academia and public sector innovation, he previously served as Head of the Datacentre at the European Medicines Agency in London. Dr. Diez holds a PhD in Computer Science from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and a Master’s in Open eGovernment from Stockholm University.
The Horn of Africa continues to be profoundly marked by political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises. As the war in Sudan continues through its fourth year, longstanding tensions across the region intersect with geopolitical rivalries, against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East, and the increasing relevance of the Red Sea to global trade and European security and economic interests. The EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Dr. Annette Weber, will address these complex dynamics and the prospects for peace, security, and economic development in the Horn, a region at the centre of shifting global alliances. Dr. Annette Weber was appointed as the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa in July 2021. With more than 25 years of experience in the regions, she is a leading expert on the Horn of Africa. She was engaged in mediation in Sudan and Ethiopia as Senior Advisor for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2019-2021). EUSR Weber has also lectured as a Professor of Conflict Studies, International Relations, and African International Relations at various universities in Germany, Austria, and Spain. From 2010-2012, she worked as a consultant in residence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She has published extensively on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea arena. This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.
Ireland’s Energy Insecurity Description Security of energy supplies has always been vital for all economies, at least since the industrial revolution. In an era in which international trade is being weaponised more frequently, Ireland’s high dependence on energy imports is a growing vulnerability. This is, all the more so, in the context of a European security environment which has deteriorated markedly since 2022. In this edition of IIEA Insights, Eamonn O’Reilly will assess this island’s vulnerabilities, current government plans to address them, and what he thinks should be done to enhance energy security. Eamonn O’Reilly is Chair of the Energy & Climate Action Committee of the Irish Academy of Engineering. He is an engineer by profession and has worked on power plant projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Congo. Among other previous roles, he was Chief Executive of Dublin Port for 12 years until 2022, during which time he brought a programme of major port development projects from concept, through consenting, finance, and on to completion.
Neale Richmond is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, and as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, and the Department of Social Protection. Before this, he was elected as a TD for Dublin Rathdown in the 2020 General Election. In April 2016, he was elected to Seanad Éireann, on the Labour Panel, where he was the Fine Gael Spokesperson on European Affairs and chair of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. He served for seven years on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and for two years as a member of the EU’s Committee of the Regions, leading the Irish delegation, acting as Rapporteur on the Opinion on a more responsible trade and investment policy.
As Ireland prepares to take on its EU Presidency, beginning in July 2026, this panel will discuss the evolving agenda on EU enlargement. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a renewed accession momentum, this discussion, which brings together perspectives from Dublin and Brussels, will assess the strategic, institutional, and political challenges facing the Union and enlargement. Panellists will consider the nature of enlargement as a strategic priority for the Union, and the delicate balance between deepening and widening the EU. This event has been organised in conjunction with the European Policy Centre Speakers include: Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre; Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute; Barry Colfer, Director of Research at the IIEA
Dr. Alice Edwards is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture — the first woman to hold the mandate in its 40-year history. She has documented human rights violations and advocated for justice, rehabilitation and peace on behalf of victims and survivors in major wars, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Mozambique, Russia-Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Palestine and Israel. Previously, she served as the chief legal adviser at the UN Refugee Agency (2000-2015) and led the inter-governmental Convention against Torture Initiative (2016-2021), supporting states to ratify the Convention and strengthen implementation of international law. In 2024, she was nominated for Australian of the Year.
'China Shock 2.0' In this edition of IIEA Insights, three experts discuss the future direction of EU-China relations. Tensions between Brussels and Beijing are rising as EU exports to China fall, while the volume of Chinese goods entering the EU grows rapidly. Efforts by the EU to address these imbalances – often the result of subsidies given to Chinese firms and the absence of a level-playing field in the Chinese Market for European companies – are being met with aggressive pushback from Beijing. Speakers: Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor in Rhodium Group’s China practice Alicia García Herrero, Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at NATIXIS Declan Kelleher, former Ambassador of Ireland to the People’s Republic of China
In this event, Mr Manuel Mateo Goyet provides an overview of the recently published Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA). The CADA seeks to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness in the cloud and AI ecosystem by boosting Europe’s ecosystem, investment and infrastructure. It aims to ensure that Europe can meet demands for data centre, cloud and computing capacity to meet the needs of businesses and support AI adoption. It particularly promotes the scaling of digital infrastructure by addressing unduly lengthy permitting procedures and barriers to accessing energy, land and financing. Manuel Mateo Goyet is a Head of the Cloud and Software unit at the European Commission, DG Connect. He was previously acting head of unit for two years and a deputy head of unit since 2019. Before that, he served as Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Gabriel on policy areas including copyright, audiovisual, disinformation, high performance computing, digital skills, and eHealth. Manuel Mateo joined the Commission (DG INFSO/CONNECT) in 2006 where he held several positions, including that of Assistant to the Director General, and of deputy Head of Unit dealing with inter-institutional relations.
In his keynote address, Minister Timcho Mucunski reflects on EU enlargement and North Macedonia’s European path at a decisive moment for Europe ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency. He addresses the need for a credible, merit-based accession process and the strategic imperative of integrating the Western Balkans in the EU at a time of geopolitical uncertainty. Timcho Mucunski is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia. He has extensive experience across diplomacy, academia and elected office, including as a university law professor, former Deputy Minister, former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Aerodrom.
Digital policy has emerged as one of the most contentious of policy areas in EU-US relations. Many EU digital policy developments have met with vocal US opposition – including Europe’s pursuit of digital sovereignty, what the US administration perceives as the over-regulation of US firms, the preferencing of European solutions, and EU content moderation rules. Meanwhile in Europe, concerns about perceived threats to European values, democracy, autonomy and competitiveness continue to drive EU digital policy. How Europe and the United States navigate these divergences may carry significant implications for the prosperity, well-being, and security of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. With Ireland’s role as a transatlantic digital hub and with its forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, Dublin will play a leading role in shaping the future of this critical relationship. In this event, Frances Burwell and Kenneth Propp discuss the prospects and challenges for the future of the EU-US digital policy relations. About the Speakers: Frances G. Burwell is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and a senior director at McLarty Associates. Until January 2017, she served as vice president, European Union and Special Initiatives, at the Council. She has served as director of the Council’s Program on Transatlantic Relations, and as interim director of the Global Business and Economics Program, and currently directs the Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative. Kenneth Propp is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. He is also an adjunct professor of European Union Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a senior fellow with the Cross-Border Data Forum. He advises and advocates on data trade, privacy, security, and other regulatory issues in the United States and major international markets.
European integration has driven a wide range of social policy developments in Ireland and across Europe over the past fifty years – including rules relating to equality of opportunity, inclusion, fair working conditions, and social protections. However, since the 1990s, EU activity in the social realm has slowed. Today, the existence of a coherent ‘European social model’ in the enlarged EU has been called into question. Ahead of the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU, this expert panel will consider the current state of Europe’s social policy agenda and identify the main gaps and opportunities in European social policy. The panel assesses the extent to which the EU’s competitiveness agenda relates to, and may be enhanced by, a stronger European social dimension. The panel also explores the role of the European social model in influencing public sentiment towards political institutions and European integration. The panel for this event includes: Esther Lynch, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation Dr Shana Cohen, Executive Director, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) Dr Maria Jepsen, Deputy Director, Eurofound Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, IBEC
Food crises are not anomalies — they are recurring and predictable. COVID-19, Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and now El Niño forming on the horizon: each shock travels the same transmission channels, driving up input costs, and hitting small-scale farmers first and hardest. These farmers produce a third of the world's food, including up to 70% of the food in Africa, and they operate with thin margins. When input costs spike, production falls, and what begins as a price crisis quickly becomes a hunger crisis, then a stability crisis. The question is no longer whether the next shock is coming. It is whether the world will respond after it hits or invest before it does. 100% of IFAD investments are directed toward the poorest and most marginalized people. In 2024, IFAD’s US$7bln ongoing portfolio reached approximately 95 people, with the objective of increasing productivity and incomes, access markets, employment, and building resilience to shocks. IFAD President Alvaro Lario makes the case to increase long-term investment in food system transformation and resilience at the "first mile" — the rural communities where food is produced. He also addresses the EU's role, and how Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency can help turn ambition into delivery. Alvaro Lario is President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD was established in the 1970s in response to a global food crisis. It is the world’s fund for transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. Lario is a seasoned international development finance leader, he has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, the World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD.
Ferit Hoxha is a career diplomat with over 35 years of experience in the foreign service of the Republic of Albania. Since March 2026, he has been serving as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Mr Hoxha has had a distinguished and extensive career in multilateral diplomacy and international relations, representing the Republic of Albania at the highest international levels. He has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2009–2015; 2021–2024), where he led the Albanian delegation during Albania’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2022–2023) and twice held the Presidency of the Security Council. He has also served as Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the European Union (1998–2001; 2024–2026), as well as Ambassador to France (2001–2006). From 2018 to 2021, he served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO. Within the central administration, Mr Hoxha has held the positions of Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006–2009) and Director General for Political and Strategic Affairs (2015–2018). Throughout his career, he has contributed actively to multilateral processes and has held senior roles within international organizations, including Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Vice-President of the UNICEF Executive Board, and chair of key processes within the United Nations Security Council and UNESCO frameworks. Mr Hoxha graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in French Language and Literature. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian. He has been awarded high national and international distinctions, including the rank of “Grand Officer” of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic and “Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy.” This event is part of the Future-Proofing Europe Project, which is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, is responsible for the Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy for stronger partnerships, and sustainable development. With Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency about to begin, this event will explore how Irish businesses, policymakers, and civil society can engage with EU-backed financing while adjusting to ongoing geopolitical shifts and aligning with partnering countries’ priorities. Commissioner Síkela gives an insight on how the EU reacts to global geopolitical changes, how the Global Gateway is implemented in practice, how the EU works to build mutually beneficial partnerships, and what it means for Ireland’s role in shaping the EU’s future external engagement. Commissioner Síkela also addresses the role of the EU as the world’s largest ODA donor, as well as the proposed Global Europe instrument and how it can advance the EU’s engagement globally on international partnerships and development cooperation. Jozef Síkela, is the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, a role he was appointed to in 2024 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A Czech politician and former investment banker, his career experience includes leadership roles in Creditanstalt, Česká spořitelna, and Erste Group. In 2021, he became the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, from where he led the EU’s energy crisis response after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and played an important role during the successful Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. As Commissioner for International Partnerships, Síkela serves as a global dealmaker, fostering international collaboration focused on sustainability, human development, and economic security. This event is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.
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Observed September 18, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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