IIEA Talks

Join us for an urgent and thought-provoking discussion with ICRC Director-General Pierre Krähenbühl on the alarming rise in global conflicts and their profound humanitarian consequences. With over 130 active conflicts worldwide, more than double the number recorded just 15 years ago, war is no longer the exception but an increasingly normalized tool of dispute. From the devastating escalation in the Middle East to the ripple effects on fragile nations like Sudan and Somalia, the impacts of these crises are far-reaching and demand immediate attention. The ICRC Director-General explores the changing nature of warfare, the long-lasting scars it leaves on communities, and the growing challenges faced by humanitarian actors in an era of diminishing resources and heightened risks.

Pierre Krähenbühl is Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a position he assumed in April 2024. As head of the ICRC's executive body, he is responsible for steering the organisation's global humanitarian activities. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr Krähenbühl was Secretary-General to the Assembly at the ICRC (2023-2024). Mr Krähenbühl has dedicated more than 30 years to the humanitarian sector, including 25 years in prominent roles at the ICRC in delegations and at headquarters. He also served as Commissioner-General and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations at UNWRA (2014-2019).

This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

The European Union and the Sahel have longstanding ties. Yet, as both sides experience significant transformations, and as geopolitical challenges abound, the context and nature of EU-Sahel relations have fundamentally changed. Today’s geopolitical environment is marked by the growing role of military actors in politics, widespread security concerns, acute fragility, the reconfiguration of regional and multilateral systems, and intensifying geopolitical competition. These trends are further reinforced by narratives centred on sovereignty and rising anti-Western and anti-European sentiment.

The EU envisages being a partner of choice for the Sahel and the broader region for the medium to long term. In this context, the EU has developed a renewed approach to the Sahel, acknowledging that disengagement is not an option, given the strategic importance of the region. In his address, EUSR Cravinho will outline this approach, which is focused on charting a way forward, which was politically validated by the 27 EU Foreign Ministers in November 2025. 

This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

Recent global trade volatility and geopolitical instability have highlighted how Europe’s prosperity, autonomy and security can be exposed to global shocks and render Europe vulnerable. In this event, Olof Gill, Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission and Spokesperson for Trade, Economic Security & Customs, discusses the EU’s efforts to navigate geopolitical turbulence and major trade disruption. Mr Gill explores the European Commission’s focus on achieving a robust and resilient trade policy that promotes Europe’s prosperity, security and autonomy.

Olof Gill is Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, and Commission Spokesperson for Trade, Economic Security & Customs. He began his career as a journalist before taking on roles in the European Parliament, and later the Irish government. In his current position he plays a public-facing role, communicating the EU perspective on high-profile trade and geopolitical priorities, including relations with the US, China, India, and Mercosur region. An Irish-Swedish national, he has worked at the Commission for over a decade, contributing to EU policy and communications strategies on prominent topics including Brexit, Covid-19, and the war in Ukraine.

Against the backdrop of a more turbulent geopolitical environment. the European Union has increased its effort to ensure that its citizens are protected. In his remarks to the IIEA, Guillaume de la Brosse, Head of Unit for Defence Policy and Innovation at the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space at the European Commission (DG DEFIS), discusses progress on the implementation of the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, as well as the work of the EU in meeting the challenges of an increasingly insecure world.   

About the Speaker:

Guillaume de La Brosse is currently Head of Unit, Defence Policy and Innovation at DG DEFIS. Previously, he was Head of Unit in charge of Innovation and New Space - Space Defence in the Commission (Direction-General for Defence Industry and Space). Guillaume joined the Commission in 2016, as member of the Commission’s think-tank and member of the UK Task Force, where he dealt with security, defence, and space.

Following on from the recent announcement by the Tánaiste, this event looks to build on the recent proposals and the recommendations set out in the IIEA–BNY White Paper. An expert panel examines the product features and practical steps necessary to launch in 2027. The discussion focuses on how to operationalise a PIA scheme swiftly and effectively, the range of investment options that should be available to participants, and ides to promote financial inclusion, for the benefit of Irish society.

This event includes the following speakers:

Professor Niamh Moloney, Professor of Law at the London School of Economics and Specialist in EU Financial Markets Regulation
Anna Marie Finnegan, Head of Function in the Cross-Sectoral Policy of the Central Bank of Ireland
Paul Kilcullen, BNY Ireland Country Manager
Dan O’Brien, IIEA Chief Economist

Emily Portney, BNY Executive Committee, Global Head of Asset Servicing provide opening remarks.

The event was moderated by Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach of Ireland.