The CELIS Forum (CFIS) is the flagship event of the CELIS Institute, now in its 7th year, and Europe's first and foremost place to discuss investment screening and economic security issues.

Thought leaders in investment control and economic security from Europe, the U.S. and beyond debate current challenges and influential ideas from both a strategic and highly practical perspective to chart geo-economic strategies for Europe.

The number of participants is limited to no more than 60 speakers and 60 attendees. Participants are invited with the view to form a trusted community of economic security experts from business, government, and academia who deal with the subject matter on a high level. Discussions at CFIS 25 will be held in private (strict Chatham House rules apply). There will be no public sessions this year.

CFIS 25 takes place amid an unfolding erosion of international trade rules, a growing U.S.-China confrontation, and ongoing war on European soil. These dynamics are challenging traditional notions of sovereignty, resilience, and openness across markets.

Against this backdrop, CFIS is more vital than ever. It offers trusted, cross-sector dialogue among thought-leading voices in economic security, thinking ahead in a time of accelerating global fragmentation. This year’s topics include:

• Building Trust Between Government and Business During Times of Geopolitical Shifts
• Creating Resilient Financing Ecosystems for Strategic Sectors
• Balancing Innovation and Sovereignty: The Role of FDI Screening and the FSR 
• Investment Screening and Strategic Autonomy in the EU Defence Sector 
• Investment Screening in Energy Technologies and Renewable Energy 
• Transatlantic Perspectives on Investment Screening
• Mitigation, Compliance, and Judicial Recourse in Investment Screening 
• Global Trends in Investment Screening in the EU Neighborhood, Latin and Central America and the Indo-Pacific
• The Future of Investment Screening in Europe – Revisions, Outbound Controls, and Internal Market Challenges

A forum that goes beyond the current

CFIS is not limited to interpreting the contemporary regulatory landscape—it is designed to think ahead. Grounded in academic rigor and expert analysis, the Forum explores the future of economic security.

All stakeholders on deck

Every CFIS panel brings together thought leaders from across sectors and disciplines. This real-time, cross-disciplinary dialogue creates conversations that rarely occur in other forums or intergovernmental settings.

Closed-door format

Participation is by invitation only and limited to 60 speakers and 60 attendees. Each attendee is carefully selected to ensure optimal representation from government, academia, business, and law.

No spectators, only contributors

At CFIS, the line between panelist and participant disappears. Everyone is part of the conversation. The Forum avoids performative panels and fosters dynamic dialogue where every voice contributes to a richer understanding of today’s challenges and tomorrow’s solutions.

Rooted in Europe, engaged globally

While anchored in Europe, CFIS brings in key global voices. Past Forums have included voices from North and Central America, Southeast and East Asia, and beyond ensuring the conversation reflects the full spectrum of global economic security dynamics.

Unique stakeholder mix - Curated for balance 

Each attendee is selected to ensure representation across government (≈35%), business (≈35%), academia (≈10%), and legal practice (≈20%).