As Romania stands at a pivotal moment in redefining its economic model, the demand for coherent vision and cross-sector dialogue is greater than ever. With shifting global dynamics and mounting regional challenges, crafting a long-term economic strategy is essential to ensure both resilience and competitiveness within the European framework.

In this spirit, the Aspen Institute Romania, under the Aspen New Economy & Society Program and inspired by the Aspen Economic Strategy Group of the Aspen Institute US, launched the Aspen Initiative for Romania’s Economic Strategy (IASER), a high-level, non-partisan platform aimed at fostering evidence-based debate and strategic reflection on the country’s economic future.

Hosted at the National Bank of Romania and organized in the framework of the Aspen–GMF Bucharest Forum 2025, the roundtable gathered senior policymakers, business leaders, economists, and civil society representatives to discuss Romania’s competitiveness, fiscal responsibility, industrial modernization, and investment priorities.

The discussion explored pathways for sustainable growth and institutional consolidation, the development of innovation-driven sectors, and Romania’s regional role in connectivity, logistics, and energy, including the country’s potential contribution to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Participants emphasized the need for consistent governance, data-driven decision-making, and public-private collaboration to strengthen confidence in Romania’s economic architecture and promote long-term prosperity.

The event was held in Romanian, under the Chatham House Rule, in a moderated, invitation-only format.