Europe’s security, economy and democracy are undergoing profound change, and these shifts are increasingly visible in people’s everyday lives through energy costs, changes in working life and perceptions of security. These themes will be explored at the ninth Europe Forum, taking place in Turku on 26-28 August 2026. This year’s theme is “Values, Innovation and Security as the Foundation of Europe’s Success”.
As part of the Europe Forum programme, Business Turku and the Turku Chamber of Commerce will host a morning session on Thursday, 27 August, under the theme “Industrial Specialisation, Finland’s Competitive Advantages and Emerging Markets: Exploring the Future and Potential of Women’s Health”. The session will examine Finland’s competitiveness through the lenses of global value chains, industrial specialisation and international trade policy, while also exploring new growth opportunities for European expertise.
Heli Koski, Research Director at ETLA Economic Research, will discuss the role of specialised clusters in driving future global growth. Timo Vuori, Director of International Trade and Trade Policy at the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), will provide insights into the impact of EU trade agreements on Finnish companies and competitiveness. Ulla Müller, Chief of the UNFPA Nordic Representation Office, will explore women’s health as both a global wellbeing challenge and a significant growth opportunity, highlighting related business and innovation potential.
The event will conclude with an international panel discussion on how Finland can strengthen its competitiveness, build successful ecosystems and seize opportunities in emerging growth markets within a rapidly changing global environment. The panel features Lassi Noponen, Director General of Business Finland, Claus Runge, Senior Vice President at Bayer AG, Ulla Müller of UNFPA, and Pekka Simula, Partner at Innovestor Life Science. The discussion will be moderated by Minna Arve, CEO of Business Turku.
Time: Thursday, 27 August 2026 (Europe Forum takes place on 26-28 August 2026)
Venue: Turku City Theatre, Main Stage
Address: Itäinen Rantakatu 14, FI-20800 Turku, Finland
Programme
Interpretation from Finnish into English will be available both on-site and in the live stream. The event and all presentations can also be followed online via the Europe Forum website.
08:30 Opening of the day and welcoming remarks (FI)
Minna Arve, CEO, Business Turku
08:35 Industrial Specialisation in Global Value Chains: Does the Future Belong to Specialised Clusters? (FI)
Heli Koski, Research Director, ETLA Economic Research
09:00 How Is the EU Diversifying Its Value Chains? The EU-MERCOSUR and EU-India Trade Agreements in Practice (FI)
Timo Vuori, Director, International Trade and Trade Policy, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)
09:30 Women’s Health as a Global Issue: What Is It Really About? (ENG)
Ulla Müller, Chief, UNFPA Nordic Representation Office
10:00 Panel Discussion: Building an Internationally Competitive and Successful Ecosystem (ENG)
- Lassi Noponen, Director General, Business Finland
- Claus Runge, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability & Internal Engagement, Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals Division
- Ulla Müller, Chief, UNFPA
- Pekka Simula, Partner, Innovestor Life Science
- Moderator: Minna Arve, CEO, Business Turku
10:45 Closing of the event
The day’s moderator is Tapani Mylly, Director of Marketing and Communications, Business Turku.
