Bratislava is hosting the 15th edition of GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum

The Forum will be held for the first time in a hybrid format allowing hundreds of the most influential heads of state, business leaders, innovators, and experts from leading global think tanks, NGOs, and international organizations to participate both in-person and digitally.

Would the world not be shattered by the coronavirus crisis, the 15th annual GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum with more than 1,000 participants from over 60 countries would have begun on May 21. This year GLOBSEC has decided to introduce a special three-stage concept:

The first stage kicked off in June and included an online brainstorming with global experts who addressed future trends. In August, the second stage took place – during a three-day virtual conference, participants analysed key takeaways from the first stage. The climax and the final third stage is the so-called “GLOBSEC Week”, for which the two flagship events, GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum (7 and 8 October) and Tatra Summit (9 and 10 October) are planned.

A 3-day summary of the second stage (online conference in August) can be found here.

The main theme of this year’s GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum – “Let’s Heal the World Together” invites an international community of experts to consider the most pressing issues that need to be resolved in order to build a safer, more prosperous and resilient society.

globsec-digital-stage-2020 — GLOBSEC 2020 Digital Stage (Photo: www.globsec.org)

“Organizing both of our key conferences in one week will be a logistical challenge. However, we have made this decision with regard to the current situation and because the health and safety of our guests and partners is our number one priority, ” says Róbert Vass, President of GLOSBEC.

“Despite the relaxation of measures in Slovakia and neighbouring countries, we must remain vigilant. At the same time, we believe that guests attending the conferences during the so-called “GLOBSEC Week”, will significantly support tourism in Slovakia, thus partly contributing to the revitalisation of our economy, “ adds Róbert Vass.

The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the need for the international community to come together and find solutions for unprecedented global health and economic crisis. It also revealed how fragmented and uncertain the world has become. The two-day GLOBSEC 2020 Bratislava Forum will provide a platform for discussing how to reshape a post-pandemic world.

The discussions will be framed by six topical streams: Future of Europe, Defence and Security, Economy and Global Order, Digital Future, Sustainability and Democracy & Resilience.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES AT THE FORUM

The Forum will take place under strict epidemiological measures. These measures will result in a reduced number of guests and in a hybrid conference format for the Bratislava Forum. Instead of welcoming 1200 guests over the course of three days, the GLOBSEC conference will turn into a two-day event hosting a few hundred guests on its physical premises, with dozens of more guests connecting online.

Vass explains: “We don’t want to compromise on the quality of discussions, therefore we’ve gone for a hybrid format, which enables us to engage the world’s best leaders and experts in debates, even if they can’t travel to Slovakia.”

GLOBSEC as an organisation takes the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. The organisers say they will not only adhere to all rules and policies requested by the respective Slovak authorities but will go beyond these official measures.

Watch an interesting video explaining all of the precautions they will take at the event.

The history of GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum

Over the past two decades, the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum has established itself as one of the top strategic conferences globally. The Forum facilitates the free exchange of ideas and provides a meeting place for stakeholders from all sectors of society. GLOBSEC’s guests of honour have included Emmanuel Macron, Kristalina Georgieva, Donald Tusk, Ursula von der Leyen, Madeleine Albright, Joseph Nye, David Roberts and many more. GLOBSEC also organises the annual GLOBSEC Tatra Summit, a conference that provides the opportunity for experts to have fruitful political discussions on the future of Europe.

GLOBSEC is a global think-tank based in Bratislava committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. Its mission is to influence the future by generating new ideas and solutions for a better and safer world.