Europe's Electronics Industrial Strategy: Leadership or Dependence?

Date

Electronics are critical to innovation, security, and economic competitiveness across industries including automotive, aerospace, defence, AI, healthcare, and energy. As Europe’s electronics manufacturing capacity has declined, reliance on overseas production has increased, raising urgent questions about resilience, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. Currently, a European ambition for electronics industry leadership is taking root while reducing dependencies. 

The Global Electronics Association invites senior industry leaders, EU policymakers, and technical experts to a one-day summit in Brussels to explore how Europe can strengthen its electronics industrial base. Discussions will focus on three key sectors: Aerospace & Defence, Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres, and Automotive.

Attendees will gain insights from industry and policy leaders, examine the current state of European electronics capacity, and identify actionable steps to build a more resilient and competitive ecosystem. The program includes keynote presentations, policy discussions on the EU Chips Act, EU programmes and policies for Space and Defence, the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act and expert-led panels addressing supply chain security, innovation, and collaboration.

This exclusive, invitation-only event is designed to foster high-level dialogue and meaningful engagement among key stakeholders shaping the future of Europe’s electronics industry.

What You’ll Gain:

  • A clear view of Europe’s current electronics capacity and strategic gaps
  • Direct engagement with EU officials on the Chips Act, EU Space and Defence Programmes and Policies, the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act and emerging policy initiatives
  • Industry insights across three critical sectors:
    • Space & Defence
    • Artificial Intelligence & Data Centre
    • Automotive
  • Meaningful dialogue with peers across the electronics value chain

Who Should Attend:

  • C-suite executives from EMS providers, OEMs, PCB Fabricators, and Tier 1 suppliers
  • EU and national government officials
  • Policy advisors and trade association leaders
  • Investors and research institutions focused on advanced manufacturing

Event Highlights:

  • Keynote address by Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament 
  • EU Chips Act presentation by the European Commission and live Q&A
  • EU Space and Defence panel with European Commission and European Defence Agency
  • Automotive panel with insights from Arthur Corbin, Business Advisor to European Commission Executive Vice President Stephane Sejourné
  • Interview with Jan-Peter Kleinhans, OECD  
  • Two industry panels with expert perspectives
  • Dedicated networking opportunities throughout the day

Agenda

9:00 – 09.50 AM
Registration & Coffee
Arrive, connect with fellow attendees, and prepare for a day of discussion on Europe’s electronics industrial future.

9.50 – 10.00 AM
Alison James, Senior Director, European Government Relations | Global Electronics Association
Welcome, introduction Sanjay Huprikar, Europe President | Global Electronics Association

10:00 – 10:15 AM
Keynote Address
Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament 

10:15 – 11:15 AM
Speaker: Arian Zwegers | Deputy Head of Unit "Microelectronics and Photonics"/, DG CONNECT European Commission || Presentation:
EU Chips Act 2.0 : Presentation and Audience Q&A
Presentation on the new Chips Act 2.0 proposal followed by audience Q&A.

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Policy & Industry Panel: Defence and Space 
Panelists : Fabio Vitobello | Space Programme Officer, Critical Space Technologies for EU non dependence /,DG DEFIS European Commission | Erlend Hoff | Policy Officer- Defence/DG DEFIS European Commission || Benoit Michel | CapTech Moderator for Components and Modules /European Defence Agency | Manfred Amberger, Senior Vice President Zollner Elektronik | Eric de Ponthaud, CEO CSI (Cimulec Group)

Discussion and overview on Space and Defence programmes and policies in place by the European Commission DG DEFIS and EDA to support the ecosystem needed for space and defence. Joined by Industry Executives, the panel will discuss European Industrial ambitions, critical electronics and secure supply chains. 

12:15 – 13:30 PM
Lunch

13:30 – 14:10 PM
From Chips to systems: Building an End-to-end EU Strategy Along the Data Center, Cloud and AI vertical  

Leo Saint Martin, Partner DECISION Etudes & Conseils 
Presentation and analysis of Global Electronics Association and DECISION overview of the ecosystem followed by audience Q and A

14:10– 15:10 PM
Policy and Industry Panel: Automotive
Panelists : Arthur Corbin| Business Advisor for European Commission Executive Vice President Stephane Sejourné/ Stephane Klajzyngier, Deputy CEO All Circuits, Jean-Michel Pinto, Partner, Roland Berger 

This panel will examine where Europe’s capability and cost gaps are most acute, how greater regional competitiveness can be restored, and what policy can do to support automakers and suppliers. The Industrial Accelerator Act proposed by the European Commission as a key instrument.

15:10 –15.40 PM
Moderated interview with Jan-Peter KLEINHANS, Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) OECD.

OECD perspective and work on the interdependencies and vulnerabilities of the global supply chain : and the need for a full stack approach 

15.40-15.45 PM
Conclusions
Chris Mitchell | Global Electronics Association | VP Global Government Relations

15.45 Reception 

Registration
Attendance is limited. To request an invitation or secure your place, please email SanjayHuprikar@electronics.org with “European Electronics Summit” in the subject line.

Region
Europe