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The Global and European Challenges for Security and Economic Policy Forum was opened by President Petr Pavel

2 June, 2025

CERGE-EI hosted a discussion forum on Global and European Challenges for Security and Economic Policy on Friday, 30 May 2025, hosted by its Executive and Supervisory Committees.

The opening address was delivered by President Petr Pavel, who emphasized the critical importance of defense and international cooperation in today's world. The forum was held under the Chatham House Rule.

Presentations by Jaroslav Borovička (New York University), Yuri Gorodnichenko (University of California, Berkeley), Marek Kapička (CERGE-EI), and Miroslav Wlachovský (GLOBSEC) were followed by a discussion moderated by Jan Švejnar (Columbia University and CERGE-EI). The event was attended by leading academics, politicians, and journalists.

The aim of the forum was to contribute to the ongoing international debate on key security and economic aspects of the current geopolitical situation, especially with regard to the future position of Europe and the Czech Republic.

"The presence of the President was a great honour for us. We believe that, as economists, we can bring concrete, practical recommendations to the ongoing debate based on the analysis of available data and the expertise we have," said Marek Kapička, Director of CERGE-EI and author of the policy brief What Should the Czech Republic Pay for Higher Defence Spending, recently published by the IDEA Think Tank at CERGE-EI. 

View the photo gallery here.