The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued a call for papers for its 2026 Research Conference, titled 'Strong EU financial markets in a volatile world,' inviting researchers and practitioners to submit proposals on how to bolster the resilience and competitiveness of EU capital markets in an increasingly uncertain global environment. The conference, scheduled for later this year, aims to gather insights on regulatory, supervisory, and market-structure challenges facing the EU's financial sector.
ESMA's call for papers, published on 6 May 2026, seeks contributions on topics such as market fragmentation, the impact of geopolitical tensions on cross-border investment, the role of digital finance in enhancing market efficiency, and the implications of climate-related risks for financial stability. The agency encourages submissions that offer empirical analysis, policy recommendations, or innovative approaches to strengthening the EU's capital markets union.
The initiative comes as the EU faces heightened volatility from trade disputes, energy price shocks, and shifting global alliances. ESMA's conference aims to provide a platform for debate among academics, regulators, and industry stakeholders on how to adapt the EU's financial framework to these challenges. The call for papers is open until 31 July 2026, with selected authors invited to present at the conference in Brussels later in the year.
ESMA's move is part of a broader effort by EU institutions to deepen capital markets integration and reduce reliance on non-EU financial centres. The conference is expected to feed into ongoing policy discussions on the Capital Markets Union and the digital finance strategy, with potential implications for future regulatory reforms.
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