OWF: Ostdeutsches Wirtschaftsforum

OWF26 – A New (Dis)Order

The East German Economic Forum is Germany’s premier platform for shaping the future of Eastern Germany. Each year, it convenes leading figures from politics, business, academia and civil society to debate economic strategy, innovation and regional transformation.

The world is undergoing a profound transformation: economically, technologically and geopolitically. Old certainties no longer hold true, and new interdependencies are emerging. Political and business decisions are becoming more closely intertwined than ever before.

It is against this backdrop that the East German Economic Forum 2026 will convene in Bad Saarow. Under the guiding theme ‘A New (Dis)Order’, the OWF26 will bring together leading voices from the German government, European institutions, international partner countries, as well as from business, research and civil society from 31 May to 2 June 2026. Together, they will discuss the role that Germany and Europe can play in global systemic competition. East Germany is at the centre of this as a region where transformation is not merely discussed, but implemented.

In addition to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche, the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, Elisabeth Kaiser, and Federal Minister for Digital Affairs Karsten Wildberger have also confirmed their attendance. Among those expected from the federal states are Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dietmar Woidke and Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister-President Sven Schulze.

With its distinctive mix of substance, access and atmosphere, the Forum has become a key meeting point for those who want to actively shape the new order – and turn uncertainty into progress.

From geo-economics and security and key technologies to the healthcare sector and digital administration – these are the topics to be discussed at OWF26:

Global Competitiveness

How is Germany holding its own in an increasingly fragmented global economy? What role can eastern Germany play as a dynamic industrial hub in this new global order?

Industrial transformation

How are decarbonisation, new industrial policy strategies and geopolitical shifts transforming key industries such as the chemical and automotive sectors? What new value chains and opportunities for locations are emerging as a result?

Infrastructure and Regional Development

How can energy, mobility and digital infrastructures be developed in such a way as to enable growth, support industrial transformation and strengthen the region’s resilience?

Healthcare and Life Sciences

How can healthcare reforms, regional provision and innovative medtech, biotech and life sciences ecosystems work together more effectively, and what opportunities does this present for innovation and industrial value creation in eastern Germany?

Innovation, Key Technologies and Security

What opportunities arise for locations in eastern Germany in the field of future technologies – from cyber security and semiconductors to AI and other key technologies – in the context of high-tech strategies and growing security policy requirements?

The Digital Economy and Financing the Transformation

How do new digital business models and technological innovations emerge, and what role do capital markets, new financing models and the economic policy framework play in financing this transformation?

Silicon Saxony is live on site

We are proud to participate as a partner and are looking forward to three exciting conference days in Bad Saarow from May 31 to June 2. Part of the program will feature both our Chairman of the Executive Board, Prof. Frank Schönefeld, and Frank Bösenberg, Managing Director of Silicon Saxony.