Organised by the Ministry of the Economy, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, FEDIL – The Voice of Luxembourg's Industry and IDEA, in cooperation with PwC Luxembourg, this year’s edition of the Journée de l’Economie (JEcolux 2026) encourages discussion on the topic “Can we save Europe? Is sovereignty the right path? Europe and Luxembourg under pressure. Registrations for the Journée de l’Economie 2026, taking place in the form of a physical event at the Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg on 18 March 2026, are now open. 

Is Europe at a turning point?

Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and rising global competition are putting unprecedented pressure on the European Union and its Member States.

In this context, Luxembourg emerges as a focal point for the debate on autonomy, resilience, and strategic independence. How can a small but influential nation assert its economic strength and maintain global relevance amid the shifting landscape of European integration?

What does sovereignty mean in today’s interconnected and often turbulent world? Can it protect Europe from external shocks, or does long-term stability depend on collaboration? The answers to these questions will not only shape Europe’s trajectory but also define Luxembourg’s role on the global stage for decades to come.

Join us on 18 March 2026, at the Journée de l’Economie held at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce where, together, we’ll ask: Can we save Europe? Is sovereignty the right path?    

Programme and speakers 

As every year, this unique event will bring together leading European thinkers, economists, members of the Luxembourg government, including Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade & for Cooperation, Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy, and Tourism and Carlo Thelen, Director General, Chamber of Commerce, as well as local and internationally renowned speakers to examine the pressing challenges facing Europe today. 

Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain insights into the policies, strategies, and innovations that will shape the future of Europe and Luxembourg for decades to come.

Among the distinguished speakers, we will have the privilege of listening to:  

Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who will offer his insights;

Guy Verhofstadt, Former Prime Minister of Belgium will address a keynote speech on “Europe in a new age of empires”;

Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Director of Bruegel will tackle the pressing topic of “Europe between protectionism and structural change”, shedding light on how the continent is responding to rising protectionist pressures while undergoing profound structural transformations.

A Fireside Chat will follow, featuring the three keynote speakers in a moderated discussion led by François Mousel, Managing Partner of PwC Luxembourg. 

The event will also feature an engaging panel discussion titled “Securing tomorrow: Luxembourg’s role in defence & tech innovation”, moderated by Gaston Trauffler, Head of Industrial Policy, FEDIL. Bringing together leading voices from government, industry, and finance, the panel features well-known and influential figures, including Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade & for Cooperation and Anne Calteux, Head of the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg; Quentin Dupraz, General Partner at Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital; Rolf Strauch, Chief Economist and Management Board Member at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and Frank Thomé, Board Member, LuxDefence and Member of the Executive Board, Ceratizit Group.

Speakers will highlight the strategic investments Luxembourg should make in cybersecurity, space technologies, and dual-use technologies, while emphasising the country’s growing role in strengthening European sovereignty and fostering robust innovation ecosystems.

To register or discover more information, click here.   

To find out more about the event, visit our website:?www.jecolux.lu. 

This year, the Journée de l’Economie will start at noon with a walking lunch from 12:00 to 13:30. The conference will follow with guest speakers and panel discussions throughout the afternoon from 13:30 to 17:45, and close with a networking cocktail from 17:45 to 19:00. The conference will be held in English.  

Supporting UpFoundation

As always, all proceeds from the registration fees will be donated to a non-profit organisation, i.e. UpFoundation. Registration fees for the conference amount to 70 euros.  

About the conference 

Since 2007, the Journée de l'Economie has been organised every year, assembling a community of entrepreneurs, leaders, institutional administrators, politicians and decision-makers from Luxembourg and the Greater Region. This conference presents an opportunity to take stock of the economic situation and contemplate ways to boost the development of businesses in Luxembourg and the Greater Region through open discussions.

Over the years, this conference has come to constitute one of the key events of Luxembourg's corporate agenda. 

The collaborators 

The success of the Journée de l'Economie is to a large degree due to the dedicated involvement of its four main organisers: the Ministry of Economy, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, FEDIL - The Voice of Luxembourg's Industry and IDEA. The contribution of private collaborators such as PwC Luxembourg has also considerably contributed to the conference's distinction and renown.  This year, Bruegel is a partner of the Journée de l’Economie as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations, organising a series of events across its member states to bring important European conversations to national capitals and gather views from policymakers and experts on potential challenges and solutions.

We hope to see you at the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg on 18 March. Don't miss this opportunity to network with peers, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the conversation about the future of our economy? 

Click here for the detailed agenda and complete list of speakers and mark your calendars!