European Chamber
Compliance and Business Ethics Working Group
2026 First Meeting to Plan Ahead
Dear members,
We would like to invite you to join us for the 2026 planning session on the afternoon of 6th February 2026 at 3 pm at the European Chamber office.
Last year, we launched our WG member survey and received very positive feedback, suggestions, and recognition. Members would like the group to plan for the year ahead with:
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More interaction with (high-level) Chinese authorities
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Preference for closed-door, practical knowledge-sharing with compliance professionals
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Desire for focused topics per meeting and annual agendas
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Interest in local compliance tools and solutions used in China
Bearing this in mind, we kick off our first session with you to tailor our plan to the needs and concerns you observe from your perspective and to make your voice heard.
Join us for this one-hour closed-door meeting, and let's start with the observations below.
The World Economic Forum recently published the annual Global Risks Report. The 2026 edition highlights the most pressing risks to the global economy, society, and environment, providing a forward-looking assessment to help businesses and policymakers respond to an increasingly complex and uncertain world. (World Economic Forum, 2026, https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2026/)
Summary of this report:
2026 is marked by high competition and uncertainty. Geoeconomic confrontations have emerged as the top global risk, with 18% of experts identifying it as most likely to trigger a global crisis. Economic risks, such as recession and inflation, have risen eight positions in the short-term rankings. Half of global experts expect dramatic turbulence over the next two years, and 57% foresee severe disruption over the next decade.
Potential Discussion Topics:
1. Geoeconomic Confrontation and Compliance Risk Management
The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2026 identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the most severe global risk in the near term, with increasing trade barriers, regulatory divergence, and supply chain disruptions. For CBE member companies, these developments translate into heightened compliance exposure and operational risk.
2. AI Governance and Data Protection
The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2026 highlights a sharp rise in technological risks, with AI-related concerns moving up the short-term risk rankings. These concerns reflect real compliance challenges for companies, including algorithmic decision-making, cross-border data processing, transparency and explainability, and potential legal liability.
3. Cybersecurity and Third-Party Risk
Cybersecurity and third-party risk management emerge as persistent priorities at the intersection of compliance and business resilience. The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2026 ranks cyber insecurity as the 6th most significant short-term risk and highlights the impact of technological and supply chain vulnerabilities on global business operations. Cybersecurity and third-party risks are closely intertwined, as gaps in supplier or service provider security can expose companies to data breaches and regulatory liability, while weaknesses in a company’s own cybersecurity systems increase the risks associated with third-party relationships.