The Diplomatic Council enters the year 2026 with pronounced confidence, following a highly successful 2025. Over the past year, the organisation has further strengthened its role as a global think tank and international network. The key facts are outlined below.
In 2025, the Diplomatic Council Quantum Leap initiative achieved notable visibility with a one-hour presentation at the Annual Conference of the UN Commission on Science and Technology in Geneva. One of the keynote speakers was subsequently invited to New York to present the DC theses there. A dedicated newsletter on quantum topics was launched for interested audiences. After artificial intelligence had taken centre stage the previous year, the Diplomatic Council’s technology agenda in 2025 focused on quantum computing – two developments that are complementary in nature.
The European Economic Report 2025, produced in cooperation with member organisation United Interim, established a solid bridge to the Mittelstand and industrial sector. The study not only provides data and facts on the current economic situation, but also offers a practical toolkit for returning distressed companies to a sustainable growth trajectory. A particular highlight was the presentation of the German book “Wirtschaftswende jetzt!” at the Munich Press Club. Preparations for the 2026 report are already under way. Importantly, many of the authors actively support companies in difficulty as interim managers, thereby safeguarding businesses, jobs and economic prosperity.
In the rapidly growing space sector, the Diplomatic Council launched a joint project with leading figures from this field. Participants include the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius (former Prime Minister of Lithuania), ESA Director General Dr Josef Aschbacher, Germany’s first woman in space, Rabea Rogge, and Matthias Wachter, Managing Director of the NewSpace Initiative at the BDI, among others. The Space Night on 21 January in Frankfurt and the presentation of the book “Space Security – Extending European Defence into Space” at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2026 represent major highlights of the Diplomatic Council’s activities in the space domain.
In this context, particular mention should be made of the broad attention received by the DC publication “Europe and the Emerging New Global Order”, which has been presented at more than twelve book events across Europe. This constitutes a substantial contribution by the Diplomatic Council to one of the most pressing issues of our time: Europe’s security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
Together with member organisation Temos International, numerous medical institutions worldwide were certified in 2025 following a rigorous quality assessment and admitted to the Diplomatic Council’s membership network. This programme will be continued in 2026.
With the establishment of a Mission in India, the Diplomatic Council has further consolidated its ties with the world’s largest democracy. Many members will recall the event with the Indian Consul General in Frankfurt two years ago. The next logical step has now been taken.
In 2025, the Diplomatic Council succeeded in attracting a significant number of new members from diplomacy and business and in opening up new communities. The summer reception with the French Consul General and numerous young French companies stands as a representative example. The expansion into the space sector – one of the most promising areas in terms of economic growth and job creation – also falls into this category.
Equally encouraging are new partnerships with academic institutions and think tanks across Europe. Particular mention should be made of ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon in Portugal and the Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych (Centre for International Relations) in Poland. Further collaborations of this kind are planned for 2026 in order to strengthen not only the diplomatic and economic, but also the academic network of the Diplomatic Council.
Especially in times of profound transformation – geopolitical, technological and economic, and often deeply personal – a strong network built on trust such as the Diplomatic Council is more important than ever. In this spirit, we look forward to welcoming you at the DC New Year’s Reception on 21 January, held in conjunction with the Space Night in Frankfurt.