News

Book Presentation in Rome

Great presentation of the book ‘Europe and the Emerging New Global Order’ (Italian edition ‘L'Europa e il nuovo ordine globale emergente’) on Monday, 19 May, at the Italian Parliament in Rome (Camera dei deputati, Sala Stampa).

Thought Leadership

Europe's strategic challenges and opportunities in space

An online panel discussion, initiated and led by Ambassador (ret.) Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kreft, explored "Europe's strategic challenges and opportunities in space," coinciding with the launch of the English version of the book "Race to Space" (ISBN 978-3986741471). Dr. Krisztina Tilinger from Ludovika University of Public Service provided the introduction.

Thought Leadership

Warsaw Think Tank Forum 2025

By Jochen M. Richter, Chairman Diplomatic Council Global Security Forum

The Centre for International Relations Foundation (CIR) gathered think tanks from across Europe including some EFTA countries, the UK and the US for a debate around 4 topics: better competitiveness, strategic autonomy, European defence and more resilience.

Thought Leadership

Space Travel as a Business Model

By Prof. Dr Heinrich Kreft, former ambassador, President of the Diplomatic Council

Thought Leadership

Trend towards Autonomous Factories

By DC member Karlheinz Zuerl*

Autonomous factories are on the rise in Asia and will spread to Europe in the coming years, albeit with some delay. Europe likes to boast about its progress in Industry 4.0, but Asia has long since moved beyond that and is on its way to Industry 5.0. This refers to unmanned production halls in which only robots are active. These ‘ghost factories’ are made possible by a combination of computer technology, networking, artificial intelligence, robotics and innovative manufacturing processes.

Thought Leadership

2025 will be the year of AI in sales

By DC member Eckhart Hilgenstock*

In 2025, business development will separate the wheat from the chaff. Successful companies will use AI tools to win new customers and strengthen the satisfaction of existing ones. The others will lose market share and often not even understand the reasons for their business decline.

News

urbanOS: The World's First Operating System for Smart Cities

The Cologne-based startup dataMatters, a spin-off of RWTH Aachen University and Diplomatic Council corporate member, has introduced urbanOS, which is the world’s first operating system for Smart Cities. This municipal operating system functions similarly to computer or smartphone operating systems but is optimized for the "smartification" of urban infrastructure, ranging from traffic management and waste disposal to energy supply and public safety.

News

Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

Statement by Buddhi Athauda on the Appointment of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, on his election as the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. His appointment marks a historic moment for the global Catholic community and for the world, as he becomes the first American-born Pope to ascend to the Holy See.

News

Diplomatic Council Summer Celebration on July 1st in Frankfurt/Germany

This year's Diplomatic Council (DC) Summer Celebration will take place on July 1st. The stylish setting is provided by the stately Villa Bonn in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) with its unique ambience. We can look forward to a high-calibre programme in a relaxed atmosphere with delicious food and refreshing drinks in an exclusive social setting with cheerful people for sophisticated conversation.

Two highlights of the programme:

News

Europe and the Strategic Competition in Space, May 16, Online

May 16, 17:30-19:30, Europe and the Strategic Competition in Space, Online Panel discussion and book launch even