“Advancing Alliances for the New Era“ – Berlin Global Dialogue announces the theme of its fourth summit

Major powers are increasingly weaponizing economic integration, turning markets, supply chains, and technologies into areas of geopolitical contestation. As a result, companies are under growing pressure to strengthen resilience, secure critical capabilities, and adapt their business models to a world of regional divergence and strategic competition, while governments must forge new alliances and redefine the nexus between national security and economic strength.

Under the theme “Advancing Alliances for the New Era”, BGD 2026 will explore how alliances of agency can enable more effective decision-making and collaboration between business and government to meet the demands of this new era. “This year’s theme marks a return to our founding mission: advancing the dialogue between business and government in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape,” says Lars-Hendrik Röller, Founder and Chair of Berlin Global Dialogue.

Bank of America is returning as Berlin Global Dialogue’s Principal Partner for the fourth year. “Berlin Global Dialogue has quickly become an important platform, bringing together leaders from business, government and academia at a time of increasing geopolitical and economic complexity. We are proud to continue our partnership and contribute to the constructive dialogue shaping our global economy,” says Bernard Mensah, President of International at Bank of America.

Berlin Global Dialogue’s annual summits are attended by high-level decision-makers from around the world. Previous participants include President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as other Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and C-Suite Representatives from over 100 countries.

About Berlin Global Dialogue

Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) unites leaders from business, policy, and academia to develop joint solutions for the most pressing challenges impacting the global economy. Established in 2022, Berlin Global Dialogue emerged from the economic, political, and social realities of the twenty-first century as a new platform for a new era. Founded with the mission to strengthen the dialogue between different stakeholders, our annual summit convenes select high-level participants for candid exchanges in interactive formats that highlight diverse perspectives and facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration. Visit Website.

About Lars-Hendrik Röller

Lars-Hendrik Röller is the founder and chair of Berlin Global Dialogue and a professor of economics at ESMT Berlin. He previously served as chief economic advisor to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and G7 and G20 Sherpa. Prior to that, Röller was the president of ESMT and chief competition economist at the European Commission. Throughout his academic career, he taught at INSEAD, New York University, Stanford University, and the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.