The first edition of the Aspen European Strategic Forum, held on September 18–19, 2025, in Bucharest, gathered senior officials, experts, and business leaders from across Europe and the transatlantic community for a high-level dialogue on the continent’s evolving security and strategic landscape.

Organized by the Aspen Institute Romania, in partnership with Aspen Institute Kyiv, Aspen Institute Central Europe, Aspen Institute Italia, and Aspen Institute France, and the Aspen Security Forum, the Forum explored the major forces shaping Europe’s future: economy, security, technology, and society.

The discussions addressed a wide range of issues, including critical infrastructure protection, supply chain resilience, defense industrial policy, hybrid warfare, technological sovereignty, and societal resilience. The Forum also examined Europe’s role in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and the strategic imperatives for ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region.

The Event Report consolidates the main insights, key takeaways, and policy recommendations emerging from the sessions, highlighting the need for long-term strategic thinking, enhanced public–private cooperation, and renewed transatlantic unity in the face of systemic challenges.