OWF26 – A New (Dis)Order
Welcome to the East German Economic Forum 2026 – taking place in Bad Saarow from 31 May to 2 June.
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?
The main programme will be interpreted simultaneously into English.
Join the discussion. Help shape the future of economic policy in a new (dis)order.
Conference Venue
Since its foundation in 2015, the annual conferences of the East German Economic Forum (OWF) have been held in Bad Saarow – and for good reason. The spa town on Lake Scharmützel offers the perfect blend of idyllic surroundings, first-class infrastructure and an atmosphere that creates space for inspiring discussions.
Bad Saarow is only an hour’s drive from Berlin and has excellent public transport connections. This makes it easy for participants from eastern Germany as well as other regions of Germany and abroad to get there. The modern conference infrastructure makes the location ideal for a conference such as the OWF.
The Hotel Esplanade is the conference hotel and exclusive location partner. With its large courtyard, it will be the central meeting point for participants during the three days of the conference.In addition to the workshop rooms for interactive conference formats and working breakfasts, there are also partner lounges and restaurants for exclusive side events.
The Theater am See is just a few minutes‘ walk from the Esplanade conference hotel. It offers space for the OWF main programme on a large stage. With its beautiful lakeside terrace directly on Lake Scharmützel, it is also the perfect place for networking and informal discussions during programme breaks, as well as an ideal interview setting for journalists.
Surrounded by green forests and expansive countryside, Lake Scharmützel creates a secluded atmosphere that promotes creativity and focused discussion. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and day-to-day business, OWF participants can discover new perspectives and develop ideas in a unique setting.
Become a Partner – Showcase Your Value at the East German Economic Forum
The East German Economic Forum provides companies, institutions and networks with strategic positioning opportunities in key economic debates, exclusive networking formats and high-visibility branding options.
Take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your expertise, provide impetus and network with leading decision-makers from business, science and federal and state politics. Make valuable contacts, strengthen your brand and open up new business prospects in a dynamic environment.
We look forward to working with you to develop a partnership that fits your goals. Feel free to contact us – we will be happy to advise you individually.
Contact
Juliane Nandra
Director East German Economic Forum,
Head of Programme, Strategy and Partner Relations
Land der Ideen Management GmbH
nandra@land-der-ideen.de
About the Forum
Since 2016, the East German Economic Forum (OWF) has been the most important platform for all topics related to East Germany as a business location. Its aim is to bring together committed players from politics, business, science and society to jointly identify the opportunities and challenges of the business location, promote groundbreaking ideas and shape the transformation processes that characterise the location.
The OWF’s annual economic conference takes place in Bad Saarow, Brandenburg.
Deutschland – Land der Ideen
The Eastern German Economic Forum is a project of Germany – Land of Ideas. The initiative was founded in 2006 on the occasion of the World Cup by the German government and German industry, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI).
Press Contact
owf-presse@land-der-ideen.de