Key stakeholders, government departments and industry leaders from Sweden and Ireland come together for Resilience Forum in Dublin
23rd October 2026: The concluding round of strategic discussions between key Swedish and Irish stakeholders, government departments and agencies, as well as industry leaders, has taken place in Dublin.
The Resilience Forum focused on strengthening resilience across transport, energy, digital and physical infrastructure. Taking place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it provided an opportunity for leaders to examine crisis preparedness, supply chain security and the role of critical infrastructure in supporting Ireland’s economy and connectivity.
Organised by Business Sweden (the Swedish Trade and Invest Council) in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Dublin, the event was sponsored by leading Swedish-owned ferry operator, Stena Line. The discussions and panels were moderated by renowned journalist, author and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald.
The high-level panel discussions and presentations centred on core issues including resilience and energy security, ensuring global trade flows amidst geopolitical threats and rising uncertainty, as well as strengthening resilience through critical infrastructure protection and emergency planning.
In her opening remarks, the recently appointed Swedish Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Inger Buxton, highlighted the longstanding ties between Ireland and Sweden.
She said: “One of the most important lessons from our experience is that resilience cannot be built overnight. Developing a credible system of readiness requires long-term investments, political commitment, public trust, and cooperation across sectors and borders. It is a continuous process rather than a finished project. As threats develop and take new shapes and forms, our resilience must do the same.”
The Forum built on a previous Swedish‑Irish roundtable held at the Embassy of Sweden, with the aim of supporting practical collaboration and best practice exchange between public and private stakeholders.
Johan Edelman, Stena Line Trade Director Irish Sea South, said: “These bilateral discussions are timely as we navigate significant global challenges – including in context of the ongoing Irish EU-Presidency.
“Stena Line was delighted to sponsor the Resilience Forum, especially as a Swedish company with a long-standing presence in Ireland and recent investments in the country. We see first-hand the importance of resilient transport networks in supporting trade, economic growth and connectivity.
“Recent times have highlighted the need for preparedness, flexibility and close cooperation. By knowledge-sharing, partnerships and increased collaboration, we can build stronger and more resilient systems that are equipped for future challenges.”
Gustaf Bergström, Swedish Trade & Invest Commissioner to Ireland at Business Sweden, said: “Ireland and Sweden face similar resilience challenges and opportunities through significant trading relations with over 120 Swedish and Sweden-related businesses in Ireland.
“Through these discussions, held over three engaging sessions over the past two years, Business Sweden has helped bring together policymakers and industry leaders to align policy goals with industry capabilities, share best practice and identify practical opportunities for collaboration that deliver tangible results.”
The Resilience Forum was held in Stephen’s Green Club, Dublin, on Thursday 22 October 2026.
About Stena Line
Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry companies with approximately 40 vessels and 19 routes in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, operating 35,000 sailings each year. Stena Line is an important part of the European logistics network and develops new intermodal freight solutions by combining transport by rail, road, and sea. Stena Line also plays an important role in tourism in Europe with its extensive passenger operations. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg. Stena Line has 8,750 employees and an annual turnover of 20.2 billion SEK.
