Kazakhstan is a major producer of critical raw materials (CRMs), and an increasingly important energy supplier for the European Union. Metals and chemicals from Kazakhstan are helpful in the EU’s efforts to advance the green and digital transition. The Central-Asian state is becoming a key player in supporting EU sectors such as the net-zero industry, space, defence, and technology.

The EU-Kazakhstan relations were recently strengthened by the Annual Cooperation Council which took place in October 2024, which aims to strengthen political, economic and trade cooperation. Cooperation in the raw material sector was particularly reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in November 2022.

Kazakhstan’s recent accession to the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) Forum, which serves as a new platform for cooperation in the CRMs area, also broadened EU-Kazakhstan relations further.

In the context of the upcoming European Commission’s Raw Materials Week 2024, listen to this Euractiv Conference to explore the future of EU-Kazakhstan relations in the CRM sector and the emerging opportunities driven by the EU’s green and digital transitions. Questions to be discussed include:

- What are the implications of the Mineral Security Partnership Forum for EU-Kazakhstan cooperation in the CRMs area?
- How can the MSP Forum support sustainability and diversification of the CRMs supply chains in EU-Kazakhstan trade relations?
- Does the scaling up of Kazakhstan’s CRMs production align with the EU’s green and digital transition ambitions?

Governments across the world have recognised the strategic importance of leadership in key technological standards, including for cellular communications, and relying on an open, industry-led standardisation process.

The European Union's proposed regulation on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) has sparked significant debate within the technology industry over its implications on Europe's ability to innovate in next-generation technologies such as 5G and 6G. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on innovation, competitiveness but also national security and defence capabilities.

Over a roundtable lunch hosted by Euractiv in collaboration with Qualcomm, representatives from industry, academia, and government will delve into the future of SEPs and standardisation in Europe.

Questions to be discussed include:
- How will the proposed regulation impact national security and defence capabilities?
- What is the role of courts and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in resolving intellectual property disputes, particularly in the context of SEPs?
- How can we achieve a balanced approach that protects both patent holders and implementers in the SEP landscape?

With the EU Public Country by Country Reporting and the CSRD Directive having entered into force in 2024, Tax Transparency will become a reality within the EU legal reporting framework. Debates are still active on the merits of such initiatives, with some companies gradually have become more transparent about their tax affairs, while others have kept their tax cards closer to their chest. Ultimately, in 2026, qualifying companies will have to disclose their CbC-Reporting and need to include comprehensive information in their CSRD-reporting, insofar tax is considered a material topic.

For the last decade there has been a lot of focus in the EU on additional reporting and anti-abuse measures, which ultimately had lead to a high cost of tax compliance. According to the Draghi Report this has resulted in the EU having proportionally smaller companies compared to the US. In the current context, the European Business Tax Forum (EBTF) estimated it was the right time to make a status on tax transparency in Europe while continuing promoting a fact-based public debate by disclosing the tax contribution of major multinationals in Europe.

Listen to this hybrid conference with the support of Euractiv to discuss the current state of Tax Transparency in Europe and how companies are preparing for the upcoming reporting requirements, and to find out how the European MNC’s are contributing to the public finances globally and how this has been evolving.

Questions that will be discussed include:
- What differences can be seen in the various sectors and around Europe in terms of the current level of tax transparency?
- Will the upcoming reporting obligations be sufficient for informing stakeholders adequately?
- What are examples of best transparency practices?
- What role do European MNC’s play in increasing the future EU competitiveness?

Urban mobility plays a pivotal role in the EU’s broader green transition goals. For the EU to meet its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, innovation and transformation in the mobility sector is crucial.

In the latest study on urban mobility transition by EIT Urban Mobility, findings show that investments in innovation are already yielding significant results in improving traffic congestion and reducing emissions in several European cities. By 2030, technological progress in mobility solutions could help reduce CO2 emissions by 21%.

According to the report, public transport emerges as the most affordable and inclusive solution to reduce urban mobility emissions. By 2030, public transport ridership could increase by up to 7%, while private car trips could drop by up to 16%. Moreover, findings show that shifting to active transport modes like walking and cycling could generate €1,170 in health savings per capita between 2022 and 2050.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the costs and benefits of the EU’s urban mobility transition and how the EU can ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to a cleaner, more efficient urban mobility system. Questions to be addressed include:
-What are examples of innovation in urban mobility? How can they be advanced?
-How can cities finance new infrastructure and technology upgrades while ensuring affordability and accessibility for all citizens? What role do public and private investments play in this?
-What could be the economic impacts of the transition? How can the EU mitigate negative outcomes for vulnerable populations?

The European steel industry employs over 300,000 people directly and supports millions more indirectly. As the backbone of many key industrial value chains, including clean technologies from renewables to electric vehicles, steel has been foundational to the European Union, driving prosperity, resilience, and innovation.

Yet European steel’s viability and leadership in breakthrough decarbonisation projects - worth billions in investments - are now under threat. Global steel overcapacity, unfair trade practices, high energy costs, and increasing carbon prices are eroding Europe’s industrial competitiveness, as highlighted in the recent Draghi Report.

Can the EU’s renewed focus on industrial competitiveness and the proposed Steel Action Plan be the solution? What does it take to shape an actionable, timely European Steel Action Plan to address these crucial challenges?

Listen to this EUROFER Conference - running alongside the exhibition “Steel: At the Heart of Europe – Stronger with European Steel”, hosted at the European Parliament from 19 to 21 November - to discuss these pressing questions with Members of the European Parliament, steel industry leaders, and social partners.

At this pivotal time - just days before the new European Commission begins its work, with President Ursula von der Leyen’s pledge to take decisive action within the first 100 days - panellists will exchange views on:
· What immediate actions are needed to secure investments in green steel and protect quality jobs in Europe;
· How to craft a strategic, full set of measures across all policy areas to ensure Europe’s competitive edge in the race for climate-neutral production;
· Why an EU Steel Action Plan is urgently needed not only to safeguard a sustainable future for the sector, but to ensure the resilience of Europe’s entire industrial ecosystem.

Organised by: EUROFER
Media Partner: Euractiv

As the EU embarks on a new mandate, its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is driving a renewed focus on shaping a regulatory framework that fosters sustainability and preserves Europe’s competitiveness.

With the Draghi report underscoring the importance of a competitive and sustainable Europe, and growing momentum for harmonising climate policies across the Single Market, this event offers a timely platform to discuss how the forthcoming EU Green Claims Directive (GCD) can support these objectives, and the role that Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) plays in this transition.

The GCD is set to be a cornerstone in enhancing transparency and integrity in green claims, helping to combat greenwashing and provide consumers with reliable information. However, it is also important to ensure that the Directive does not unintentionally hinder the use of the VCM, which is an essential tool for mobilising substantial private sector investment in climate action. Far from being a ‘licence to pollute,’ high-integrity carbon credits support valuable environmental projects and accelerate the transition to net-zero.

With the GCD soon entering interinstitutional negotiations, this event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss how the GCD aligns with the EU’s broader climate objectives and how the VCM can continue to play a vital role in the EU’s decarbonisation efforts, all while maintaining transparency, trust, and market integrity.

Organised by: The Business Alliance for Climate Action (BACA)
Media Partner: Euractiv

Free and independent media is a key pillar of democracy, but recently, worrying trends have emerged across Europe. In response, a new legal instrument was adopted at EU level - the European Media Freedom Act - which came into force on 7 May 2024. Most of its provisions will be applicable by 8 August 2025.

The F.R.E.I.H.E.I.T project (Fact-checking & Reliable European Information to Help Europe Integrate Together) aims to address foreign interference in European media. Through fact-checked, independent editorial production, freelance journalists from Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood are working to combat disinformation and promote reliable information.

Media freedom remains under pressure in many Eastern Neighbourhood countries. Critics claim that Georgia struggles with disinformation, Moldova faces news bias, and Russian propaganda is replicated in Azerbaijan. There are also reports of an increase in disinformation in Armenia, and a deterioration of free speech in Belarus.

Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the state of media freedom in Europe. Journalists from the F.R.E.I.H.E.I.T project, reporting from Eastern Europe, will bring their on-the-ground experience to the conversation. Some questions to be addressed include:

- What are the most pressing challenges to media freedom within the EU, and how do they differ from those in the Eastern Neighbourhood?
- Does the European Media Freedom Act adequately address these issues? What improvements could be made?
- How can EU countries provide more support to Eastern Neighbourhood journalists facing media freedom challenges?
- How can EU-Eastern Neighbourhood collaboration be strengthened to combat shared disinformation threats?

The sole responsibility for any content supported by the European Media and Information Fund lies with the author(s) and it may not necessarily reflect the positions of the EMIF and the Fund Partners, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the European University Institute.

An estimated 67 million Europeans rely on heat provided by district heating, which is currently undergoing a decarbonisation process to achieve the goal of being climate-neutral by 2050.

However, different district heating systems are at different stages of progress towards net-zero. Some systems, particularly low-temperature district heating networks, have already been fully decarbonised through the use of technologies like heat pumps and geothermal energy. In contrast, large-scale district heating systems that require high temperatures face more limited options, such as biomass, electrode boilers (as part of power-to-heat solutions), and energy storage.

A key principle of the energy transition is to ensure that no one is left behind, including customers of district heating systems. This transition presents a range of challenges, not only technical and technological, but also regulatory and economic. These difficulties will be especially pronounced in large, densely developed cities. To address this, it is essential to establish regulatory frameworks and effective mechanisms, in line with the Fit for 55 package, that will support investment and ensure the transformation is both feasible and acceptable for heat recipients.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the road to net-zero of district heating systems. Questions to be discussed include:

- What is the future role of district heating systems? With rising heatwaves across Europe, what potential do these systems have to provide both heating and cooling?
- What technological and regulatory solutions can be implemented to meet the new targets for energy-efficient district heating and cooling systems?
- How can the cost burden of the transformation be minimised for end users? What financial and regulatory tools are required to support the transition?
- What is the potential of power-to-heat solutions and thermal storage, and how can they complement the role of large-scale cogeneration units?
- Do heating networks pose limitations to the energy transition? How can high-temperature district heating systems be decarbonised?
- What regulatory frameworks are necessary for the district heating sector to effectively manage the transformation process?

The European Union is intensifying efforts to improve consumer protection in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. At the same time, industries are exploring how new technological solutions can be used to safeguard consumers in innovative new ways.

The forthcoming "Digital Fairness Act" will impact a range of industries, from e-commerce to entertainment, which will need to adhere to new standards, including transparent marketing practices and measures to prevent addictive behaviours, all aimed at creating a safer and more equitable digital environment for consumers.

The Commission has also launched a fitness check of EU consumer law on digital fairness to assess whether the current legal framework is sufficient to guarantee a high level of consumer protection in the evolving digital landscape.

Where the upcoming implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act specifically aims to regulate AI systems and their application in industry and the Digital Services Act (DSA) regulates online content, these new measures seek to level the digital playing field, address unfair practices, and ensure consumers are thoroughly protected both online and offline.

Lsiten to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the protection of consumers in the digital environment. Questions to be discussed include:

- What role does the Digital Services Act play in holding online platforms accountable for ensuring a high level of safety and privacy for consumers?
- What role should public consultation and stakeholder engagement play in shaping future digital fairness legislation to ensure it addresses real consumer concerns?
- What lessons can be learned from the lottery industry in their ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers and prevent addictive gambling behaviours?

Renewable energy projects require substantial front-end investment as well as complicated permitting and licensing in order to operate, but what happens when there are disputes in the sector? In 1994 the European Union signed the Energy Charter Treaty which provided for International Arbitration through the World Bank ICSID Court. However, earlier this year the EU signalled it’s intent to leave the Treaty, citing its support for traditional forms of energy. Why then are nearly all of the outstanding claims in renewable energy? And what impact will leaving the Treaty have on renewable investor confidence in Europe?

As an example, we will discuss the Spanish Renewable Awards. Spain has defaulted on more than 25 international arbitration awards amounting to €1.56 billion in compensation for the retroactive withdrawal of renewable premiums. This amount is further increased by over €315 million in legal and financial overcosts resulting from non-compliance with the rulings. The situation has become so bad that numerous enforcement procedures and asset seizures are in play through courts in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Australia, and the United States.

The Spanish Government has been accused of taking an ideological position to refuse to settle these claims and has attempted to persuade the European Commission to retrospectively declare these awards as ’state aid’. If this is proven to be the case, what message does this give to large renewable investors about the rule of law in Europe?

Join us for this important and lively discussion with renewable energy investors, senior litigators and European officials.

Organised by: Aream Group SA
Media Partner: Euractiv