ESMA’s Conference 2026: A new era for EU capital markets

Marking ESMA’s 15-year anniversary, the conference will bring together senior policymakers, regulators, leaders of major market infrastructures and financial institutions, as well as investor representatives.

ESMA's conference 2026

Discussions will focus on how to deepen market integration, strengthen supervision and improve the investor journey in support of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU).

main_blue_background

Panels

Deepening market integration through public and private sector efforts

This panel will look at how public and private actors can address fragmentation in the EU’s trading and post‑trading landscape, including the implications for liquidity, costs and competitiveness. It will consider recent reforms and explore practical solutions –including innovative approaches and the role of new technologies – to support a more integrated single Capital Market. 

Strengthening supervision – reform in motion

As the SIU advances and the new market integration and supervision proposals are discussed, this panel will examine how an expanded and more convergent supervisory framework can enhance risk oversight and consistency across key cross‑border market players. It will explore how ESMA’s evolving mandates can be implemented effectively and how EU‑level and national perspectives can be combined to support safe and efficient markets. 

Rethinking the investor journey – building trust and access

This panel will focus on how to make capital markets more attractive and accessible for investors, including through digitalisation, simpler products and better savings and investment options. It will also reflect on how to build and maintain trust, drawing on perspectives from supervisors, the industry and consumer organisations. 

white_background
primary_grey_background

Speakers

  • Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, European Commission
  • Marie‑Anne Barbat‑Layani, Chair, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)
  • Francesco Ceccato, Chief Executive Officer, Barclays Europe
  • Roland Chai, President of European Market Services, Nasdaq
  • Christian Hecker, CEO, Trade Republic
  • Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse AG
  • Enrico Letta, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University, and President of the Jacques Delors Institute
  • Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup
  • Corentine Poilvet‑Clédière, CEO, LCH
  • Ann Prendergast, Executive Vice President and Head of EMEA, State Street
  • Agustin Reyna, Director General, BEUC
  • Verena Ross, Chair, ESMA
  • David Schwimmer, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group
  • Valérie Urbain, CEO, Euroclear
  • Laura van Geest, Chair of the Executive Board, Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) 
white_background
primary_grey_background

Registrations

Online participation

If you wish to participate online, register through this form by 14 May 2026 (23:59 CEST). The link to join the conference will be shared with registered participants after the registration closes.

In-person participation

Due to the venue’s limited capacity, in-person participation at ESMA's conference is by invitation only.

white_background
primary_grey_background
primary_grey_background

ESMA is working with the agency MARCO to support the organisation of this conference.

white_background