Public Affairs Summit 2026: new challenges for European dialogue

On 5–6 November, Brussels hosted Public Affairs Summit 2026, bringing together professionals in European policymaking, institutional communications, and business–EU relations.

Having worked with European institutions and international organisations since 2012, I see such gatherings as an opportunity not only to exchange professional experience but also to gain a deeper understanding of how decision-making processes in Europe are evolving.

Today, public affairs goes far beyond interest representation and engagement with political institutions. Above all, it is about building trust, developing lasting partnerships, and finding practical solutions in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
I found the results of the “State of Public Affairs in the EU 2026” study, presented by Advocacy Strategy, particularly insightful.

A few revealing figures:

• -80% of respondents identify EU Member State governments as among the most influential actors shaping European policy.
• -63% believe that the European regulatory environment has become less predictable.
• -78% are convinced that building trust and professional relationships must remain a human responsibility, despite the rapid development of artificial intelligence.

For me, the key takeaway is that effective interest representation today requires engagement at several levels simultaneously -European, national, and sectoral. These issues are of direct practical relevance to our work within the European Facilitation Platform (EFP) and our cooperation with the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE).

European integration, industrial cooperation, investment, and Ukraine’s reconstruction require not only political support but also continuous professional efforts to bring together the interests of businesses, institutions, and international partners. This is precisely where I see one of the most important missions of modern public affairs “turning institutional dialogue into concrete projects and long-term cooperation.”

And, of course, a special thank you to the organisers of the Public Affairs Summit! It is a pleasure to see this event growing stronger year after year, with increasingly substantive discussions and an ever more prominent place in Brussels’ professional public affairs community.