As Europe reassesses the strategic industries underpinning its resilience, security, and competitiveness, the pharmaceutical sector has emerged at the intersection of public health, innovation, economic growth, and geopolitical stability. Against the backdrop of recent global crises, supply chain disruptions and growing security threats, this policy-focused event will explore how medicines, vaccines and pharmaceutical manufacturing depend on, and contribute to, a wider ecosystem of strategic sectors including cybersecurity, data infrastructure, energy, advanced manufacturing, transport, and logistics. Taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the event will examine the structural interdependencies that support European health security and strategic autonomy, highlighting the vulnerabilities and opportunities facing Ireland and the EU. By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and experts, this half-day conference aims to advance an integrated vision of resilience that positions health not merely as a social priority, but as a core driver of Europe’s long-term competitiveness, security and defence preparedness.

This half-day conference will feature keynote addresses by:

• Jennifer Carroll McNeill, Minister for Health
• Declan Hughes, Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

Further speakers to be announced.

This event is organised in collaboration with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and is recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.