The European Investment Bank (EIB), alongside the European Commission and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), hosted the fifth Capital Markets Seminar on 5 and 6 June 2023, in a hybrid format. This edition of the seminar saw a significant increase in participation, with over 400 attendees, surpassing previous editions. The seminar has become a key event for gaining insights into EU perspectives on capital markets. Participants in this edition included investors, intermediaries, issuers, and policymakers.
The focus of this seminar was on how European institutions mobilise the markets to support growth and economic integration, and address priorities related to sustainability and digital transformation while ensuring financial stability. The event commenced with a presentation by Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, highlighting the European Commission's role in shaping recovery, resilience, and the transition to a green economy. EIB President Werner Hoyer provided a strategic perspective on the Bank's activities within the current geopolitical and economic context.
On the second day, Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism, emphasized the continued importance of the ESM as a safety net.
Key highlights of the first day included a high-level CFO panel on market strategy and an investor panel titled "Navigating New Challenges: The End of the Lower-for-Longer Era." This was followed by a fireside chat on innovation and a presentation of the EU-Issuance service. The first day concluded with an inspiring keynote speech from Alexander Stubb, Director of the EUI’s School of Transnational Governance and former EIB Vice-President, titled "New World Order: The Battle Between the Global West, the Global East, and the Global South."
The second day opened with a keynote speech by Klaas Knot, President of De Nederlandsche Bank, on "Bold, but Realistic: Monetary Policy and Financial Stability." A fireside chat between Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank, and Kalin Anev Janse, CFO of the ESM, covered relevant topics such as the health of the EU banking sector and the importance of the Capital Market Union.
The day proceeded with a panel discussion on “Supranationals, Sub-Sovereigns, Agencies – European Government Bonds (SSA-EGB), Bridging the Gap,” followed by a discussion on sustainable finance, covering both the EU and global regulatory landscape, including insights from Helena Vines Fiestas, the new Chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance. A Funding/Issuers panel brought together various market views and highlighted the role of European institutions. The seminar concluded with an EIB Workshop on the EU Taxonomy and EUGBS as a business opportunity, showcasing the EIB's approach.