Ursula von der Leyen: speeches

ContextOpening speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland, hosted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk with Ukrainian and EU leaders.

Why it mattersDonors and investors coordinate the rebuilding of Ukraine, with the EU as the largest backer.

ContextVideo message by the President of the European Commission opening the fifth European Innovation Council Summit.

Why it mattersThe Commission President's message to Europe's innovators, presenting a dedicated fund to keep strategic technologies and scale-ups in Europe.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at a European Parliament plenary debate.

Why it mattersLays out how the Commission intends to remove the remaining barriers inside the single market.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at a European Parliament plenary debate, after an informal summit of EU leaders.

Why it mattersSets out the EU's plan against the Middle East energy and fertiliser shock, including support for Ukraine and the budget's role.

ContextKeynote by the President of the European Commission to the European Australian Business Council in Sydney.

Why it mattersSignals a closer EU-Australia economic and security partnership, with trade and critical raw materials at its core.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at the Nuclear Energy Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Why it mattersThe Commission President backs nuclear power as part of Europe's answer to structurally high electricity prices.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at the European Employment and Social Rights Forum, before employers, unions and ministers.

Why it mattersThe Commission President announces an Affordable Housing Action Plan alongside the single market and skills agenda.

ContextOpening keynote at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, before the Belgian, Austrian and Dutch heads of government.

Why it mattersThe Commission President's message to industry leaders at Antwerp on energy prices and the Draghi-Letta agenda.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at a European Parliament plenary debate on EU competitiveness, from the Draghi report to concrete action.

Why it mattersThe Commission President presents the '28th regime' for companies, a central idea for simplifying business across the EU.

ContextVideo message by the President of the European Commission opening the Clean, Just and Competitive Summit, on Europe's industrial and climate strategy.

Why it mattersThe Commission President calls for competition policy that lets European challengers grow.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at the EU-India Business Forum, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Why it mattersComes as the EU and India deepen economic ties, with a trade agreement in view.

ContextSpecial address by the President of the European Commission at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

Why it mattersThe Commission President's yearly Davos address, presenting Europe's answer to geopolitical shocks.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at the EU-AU Business Forum opening the Africa–Europe summit, with Angola's President.

Why it mattersPresents the EU's offer for investment in Africa as the two continents reset their partnership.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission at a European Parliament plenary debate on the EU's 2028–2034 long-term budget.

Why it mattersDefends the proposed architecture of the next EU long-term budget, a negotiation that shapes EU spending until 2034.

ContextRemarks by the President of the European Commission at a roundtable on the energy transition at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

Why it mattersThe Commission President's message at COP30 on grids, storage and protecting tropical forests.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission opening an investment conference in Tivat, Montenegro, with the Prime Minister of Montenegro.

Why it mattersBacks investment projects in Montenegro as part of its path toward EU membership.

ContextSpeech by the President of the European Commission opening the EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum in Tirana, hosted by Albania's Prime Minister.

Why it mattersThe Commission President presents the Western Balkans Growth Plan and its 'Single Market Highway'.

ContextKeynote by the President of the European Commission opening the second Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.

Why it mattersLaunches the Global Gateway Investment Hub to make it easier for companies to invest abroad.

ContextSpeech to business and political leaders at the Copenhagen Competitiveness Summit; the European Commission proposes EU laws and policies and is trying to close Europe's growth and innovation gap.

Why it mattersThe Commission President calls for a surge in defence investment and cheaper homegrown energy.

ContextSpeech in Berlin to the heads of Germany's leading business and industry associations; the European Commission proposes EU laws and policies and is trying to restore European competitiveness.

Why it mattersIt links Europe's competitiveness to new trade deals and lighter rules for growing companies, addressed directly to German industry leaders.

ContextOpening speech at the sixth European Research and Innovation Days, gathering researchers and policymakers; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants Europe to turn research into innovation.

Why it mattersIt sets out how the EU wants to fund research and unlock venture capital so that discoveries grow into European companies.

ContextSpeech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, hosted by Italy's Prime Minister with Ukraine's President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and coordinates support for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Why it mattersThe Commission sets out EU support for Ukraine until the next budget and a new recovery fund with partners.

ContextKeynote at the seventh French-Italian Economic Forum of Confindustria and MEDEF; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks to keep manufacturing strong in Europe.

Why it mattersIt ties Europe's industrial future to cheaper energy and public money that attracts private investment.

ContextOpening speech at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in The Hague; the European Commission proposes EU policies and is trying to scale up Europe's defence industry.

Why it mattersIt focuses on financing Europe's defence industry, including start-ups that could become major firms.

ContextSpeech in Rome at a summit on Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU Global Gateway, hosted by Italy's Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants to expand investment partnerships with Africa.

Why it mattersBrussels and Rome combine their programmes to fund training and projects south of the Mediterranean.

ContextSpeech at the STOA-G6 Research and Innovation Summit hosted by the European Parliament's science panel; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants more research turned into innovation.

Why it mattersThe Commission sets out plans to attract top researchers and fund scale-ups through the European Innovation Council.

ContextSpeech at the Annual EU Budget Conference in Brussels with ministers and experts; the European Commission proposes EU laws and the long-term budget and must fund new priorities.

Why it mattersThe Commission previews its approach to the next long-term EU budget, built on national and regional partnership plans.

ContextThe President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, gave a speech at the Summit on the Future of Energy Security in London on 24 April 2025.

Why it mattersThe Commission links energy security to new grids and interconnectors and to protecting undersea infrastructure.

ContextOpening address at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants to cut energy costs and decarbonise industry.

Why it mattersBrussels launches its plan to cut power bills for factories and speed up clean energy permits.

ContextSpeech at the launch of the Global Energy Transition Forum during the World Economic Forum in Davos; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants to speed up the clean energy shift.

Why it mattersThe initiative targets the high cost of capital that slows clean power in developing countries.

ContextThe President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered a Special Address at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen tells the global business elite that the era of hyperglobalisation is over and sets out Europe's competitiveness plan.

ContextVideo message to the European Economic Days in Uzbekistan, hosted by the EuroUZ association; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks closer economic ties with Central Asia.

Why it mattersThe Commission offers Central Asia partnerships that add local value instead of only extracting raw materials.

ContextVideo message to the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event; the European Commission proposes EU policies and funds infrastructure abroad through its Global Gateway programme.

Why it mattersThe Commission links its infrastructure investments abroad to opportunities for young people.

ContextThe President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered a speech on the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony for a semiconductor plant of the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

Why it mattersThe Commission presents the Dresden chip plant as proof of the European Chips Act.

ContextSpeech with Egypt's President at the EU-Egypt Investment Conference in Cairo; the European Commission proposes EU policies and is building a new partnership with Egypt.

Why it mattersBrussels backs Cairo's reforms with investment and skills programmes for young workers.

ContextRemarks at the G7 summit session on Africa in Apulia, Italy; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants a partnership of equals with Africa.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen describes Europe's approach to the continent as a partnership of equals rather than aid.

ContextSpeech at the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event in Apulia, with Italy's Prime Minister and the US President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and funds infrastructure abroad.

Why it mattersThe Commission reports progress of the G7 infrastructure programme with partner countries.

ContextOpening speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, with Germany's Chancellor and Ukraine's President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and coordinates support for Ukraine.

Why it mattersBrussels launches support for equity investment in Kyiv's reconstruction, tied to anti-corruption reforms.

ContextSpeech at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, hosted by Belgium's Prime Minister and the IAEA; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks secure low-carbon energy.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen backs extending existing nuclear plants and new reactor technologies.

ContextOpening speech at the third Clean Tech Industry Dialogue with renewables, battery and steel firms; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants clean industries to grow in Europe.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen presents STEP funding and grids to support European clean industries.

ContextSpeech in Paris at the plenary session marking the International Energy Agency's 50th anniversary; the European Commission proposes EU policies and pursues energy security and decarbonisation.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen calls for a global energy community to de-risk clean investment.

ContextThe President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered a Special Address at the opening event of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting 2024.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen names disinformation and polarisation as the top global risks for the year ahead.

ContextSpeech at the New Year reception of the Stade Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Elbe-Weser region in Germany; the European Commission proposes EU policies and supports regional industry.

ContextSpeech to world leaders at COP28 in Dubai on renewable energy and efficiency goals; the European Commission proposes EU policies and leads EU climate diplomacy.

Why it mattersThe EU backs the global pledge to triple renewables and double efficiency by 2030.

ContextSpeech at the second Clean Transition Dialogue with energy-intensive industries, social partners and financiers; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants industry to decarbonise.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen extends state aid flexibility to help heavy industry decarbonise.

ContextVideo message opening an Italian conference on simplifying regulation and artificial intelligence; the European Commission proposes EU laws and seeks simpler rules for growth.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen promises to cut red tape for small innovative firms.

ContextVideo message to the Kyiv Investment Forum hosted in Brussels; the European Commission proposes EU policies and supports Ukraine's economy during the war.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links reform progress to investment in Ukraine's rebuilding.

ContextOpening speech at the first Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, with leaders from partner countries; the European Commission proposes EU policies and funds infrastructure abroad.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen wants faster, larger infrastructure investment abroad with private partners.

ContextVideo message to the PULSE Women Economic Network; the European Commission proposes EU policies and promotes women in business, politics and academia.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links childcare and digital skills to women's economic opportunities.

ContextKeynote at the Philippines Business Forum in Manila; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks closer trade ties with Southeast Asia.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen relaunches trade talks with Manila.

ContextVideo message to the International Conference on Industrial Informatics; the European Commission proposes EU policies and promotes digital technology in industry.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen promotes chip investment and rules for AI risks.

ContextOpening speech at the EU-LAC 2023 Business Round Table in Brussels, with Brazil's President and Spain's Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks closer ties with Latin America.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen relaunches ties with Latin America through a shared investment agenda.

ContextSpeech at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, hosted by France's President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants more finance for developing countries.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen proposes guarantees and carbon pricing to fund climate action abroad.

ContextKeynote at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 in London, hosted by the UK Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and coordinates support for Ukraine.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links reconstruction investment to Ukraine's reforms.

ContextKeynote at the EU-Argentina Business Forum in Buenos Aires, with Argentina's President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and seeks trade and energy ties with Latin America.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen presents investment in Argentina as part of defending a rules-based order.

ContextSpeech at Brazil's National Confederation of Industry in Brasilia; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants to conclude the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen seeks to renew economic ties with Brazil.

ContextSpeech at the 15th congress of the European Trade Union Confederation in Berlin; the European Commission proposes EU policies and works with unions on fair transitions.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen presents AI rules that protect workers.

ContextSpeech in Frankfurt at the ECB's 25th anniversary, with the ECB President and former presidents; the European Commission proposes EU policies and works alongside the euro's central bank.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen announces a legal framework for a digital euro.

ContextSpeech at the Beyond Growth Conference in the European Parliament; the European Commission proposes EU policies and links prosperity with sustainability.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen argues for growth that protects its own foundations.

ContextKeynote at a high-level Future of Europe business event with Belgium's Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and works on competitiveness.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links skills and raw materials to Europe's future competitiveness.

ContextPresident von der Leyen delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum at which she presented the Green Deal Industrial Plan, a plan to make Europe the home of clean tech and industrial innovation on the road to net zero.

Why it mattersBrussels answers American subsidies with its own plan to keep factories for batteries, solar and wind in Europe.

ContextSpeech at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event during the G20 summit in Bali, with the US and Indonesian Presidents; the European Commission proposes EU policies and funds infrastructure abroad.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen presents infrastructure investment with G20 partners.

ContextOpening speech at the Sustainable Investment Summit; the European Commission proposes EU policies and wants private capital for the green transition.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links REPowerEU and green bonds to sustainable investment.

ContextVideo keynote at the Annual EU Budget Conference 2022; the European Commission proposes EU laws and the budget, and must fund Ukraine support.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen calls for re-assessing the EU budget as inflation and war erode it.

ContextKeynote at the Tallinn Digital Summit with Estonia's Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and promotes digital transformation.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen calls for stress-testing critical infrastructure after attacks on undersea links.

ContextPresident von der Leyen delivered a statement on the current energy situation and the measures that the Commission will propose.

Why it mattersBrussels proposes taking windfall profits from power firms to help bill payers.

ContextKeynote at the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, hosted by Switzerland's President with Ukraine's leaders; the European Commission proposes EU policies and plans Ukraine's rebuilding.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen proposes a platform to coordinate Ukraine's reconstruction.

ContextVideo address to the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, hosted by the US President; the European Commission proposes EU policies and speeds up the clean energy shift.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links the war to faster clean energy deployment.

ContextSpeech at the European Parliament plenary on the rule of law and Poland's recovery plan; the European Commission proposes EU laws and must enforce rule-of-law conditions.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links Poland's recovery funds to rule-of-law reforms.

ContextPresident von der Leyen gave a keynote speech during WEF, higlighting, in which she addressed Putin's invasion of Ukraine, reconstruction, as well as energy and food security.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen proposes a platform to rebuild Kyiv's economy with reforms.

ContextOpening speech at the European Hydrogen Energy Conference 2022 in Spain, with the King and the energy minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies and promotes hydrogen.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen promotes hydrogen to reduce fossil fuel dependence.

ContextSpeech on receiving the Cercle d'Economia award for European construction in Barcelona, with Spain's Prime Minister; the European Commission proposes EU policies.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen calls for energy interconnections across the Pyrenees.

Context"The future of the European Union is also written in Ukraine", said President von der Leyen in her speech to the European Parliament. She presented the sixth package of sanctions, as well as the EU relief and reconstruction efforts.

Why it mattersBrussels proposes a rebuilding package for Kyiv tied to reforms and foreign capital.

ContextSpeech at the EU Industry Days 2022; the European Commission proposes EU policies and supports European industry.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen presents the European Chips Act.

ContextKeynote at DigitalEurope's Masters of Digital 2022 event; the European Commission proposes EU policies and promotes Europe's digital transition.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen links Europe's chip gap to digital investment.

ContextCommission President Ursula von der Leyen gave a speech on the ‘State of the World' at the World Economic Forum, via videoconference.

Why it mattersVon der Leyen addresses the gas crisis and reliable suppliers.