Europe stands at a pivotal moment. The convergence of geopolitical instability, climate volatility, cyber threats, and public health emergencies has exposed critical vulnerabilities across sectors.

Resilience – the ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to major threats such as pandemics, climate-related disasters, armed conflict, and other challenges — and how we build health systems that can withstand these pressures – are taking on growing importance. 

In this context, FIPRA and rani (Resilience Action Network International, previously known as PAN) are joining forces to launch the Brussels Resilience Forum (BRF) to advance a strategic, whole-of-society approach to resilience. The Forum will bring together leaders from across health, civil protection, industry and defence to consider when and how these sectors can work in a complementary way to help deliver a preparedness agenda.  

Resilience must go beyond recovery. It is not simply the ability to bounce back, but the capacity to move forward, to adapt, transform, and protect lives before, during, and after crises.  

The Forum will create space for stakeholders across technology, life sciences, logistics, defence, and emergency systems to engage in policy dialogue, co-develop investment pathways, and build strategic partnerships to contribute to Europe’s resilience to explore how defence spending can, when appropriate, be able to yield tangible civilian benefits.