Join Us for ESMA’s Conference “A New Era for EU Capital Markets” On 21 May 2026

Why It Matters

The conference will shape the next wave of EU capital‑market reforms, directly influencing cross‑border investment, regulatory cohesion and investor confidence essential for the Savings and Investments Union’s success.

Key Takeaways

• ESMA marks 15 years with high‑level Paris conference
• Panels cover integration, supervision reforms, investor journey
• Senior EU officials and market CEOs confirmed as speakers
• Focus on advancing Savings and Investments Union goals
• Event aims to boost cross‑border capital market cohesion

Pulse Analysis

Europe’s capital‑market landscape is at a pivotal juncture, and ESMA’s 15‑year anniversary conference underscores the regulator’s drive to accelerate integration. By convening in Paris, ESMA signals a commitment to harmonising rules across member states, reducing fragmentation that has long hampered efficient capital flows. The gathering also reflects the broader EU ambition to deepen the Savings and Investments Union, a policy thrust aimed at channeling household savings into productive investments across borders.

The three‑panel agenda tackles the core challenges facing the market. The first panel examines how public policy and private‑sector innovation can jointly close gaps in market access, while the second delves into supervisory reforms that aim to create a more resilient, transparent oversight framework. The final discussion reimagines the investor journey, emphasizing trust‑building measures, digital onboarding and clearer disclosure standards. Together, these topics address the regulatory, operational and experiential dimensions that determine whether Europe can compete with other global financial hubs.

With a speaker line‑up that includes the EU’s financial services commissioner, the heads of major exchanges and clearing houses, and consumer‑advocacy leaders, the conference promises actionable insights and potential policy signals. Attendees can expect to hear concrete proposals for aligning national market infrastructures, strengthening cross‑border supervision and enhancing investor protection. The outcomes are likely to ripple through capital‑raising activities, fintech adoption and the overall attractiveness of EU markets for both domestic and foreign capital.

Join us for ESMA’s Conference “A new era for EU capital markets” on 21 May 2026

Join us for ESMA’s Conference “A new era for EU capital markets” on 21 May 2026 05 February 2026

About ESMA

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, is organising a high‑level conference “A new era for EU capital markets” on 21 May 2026 in Paris, France.

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. 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). 

Programme

The conference will feature keynote speeches and three panel discussions on:

• Deepening market integration through public and private sector efforts

• Strengthening supervision – reform in motion

• Rethinking the investor journey – building trust and access

Speakers

Join us for lively discussions with the following confirmed speakers (in alphabetical order):

• 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)

• Roland Chai, President of European Market Services, Nasdaq

• Francesco Ceccato, Chief Executive Officer, Barclays Europe

• Christian Hecker, CEO, Trade Republic

• Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup

• Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse AG

• Ann Prendergast, State Street

• Corentine Poilvet‑Clédière, CEO, LCH

• 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) 

Further information about registration, the detailed programme and practical arrangements will be made available on ESMA’s website in due course.