1. An increasingly turbulent world – some megatrends
Jobs and growth
Over 10 million jobs created Jan Sept in EU;
but
Risk of automation is real. Calculated high risk (6-12%) and medium-sized risk (42-55%) for jobs being substituted by machines;
Weak growth in some parts of Europe;
Poorer than their parents - first generation.

2. Demography By 1900, the world's population consisted of 25% Europeans;
By 2060, only 5% of the world's population is European;
By 2060, there will be two working persons per retired person, in there were four;
By 2050, Africa's population has been doubled.

3. Geopolitical instability
Source: Verisk Maplecroft Global Risk Index
Joint Europol-Interpol Report, May 2016

4. Europe: Shaping the future – Starting from a strong base
15 of the 25 most peaceful countries are EU Member States
EU is the world's largest trading block
EU spoke with one voice in Paris
Source: Institute for Economics and Peace 2016

5. Challenges
EU needs to demonstrate it is ready to meet the concerns of the citizens
Contribute to sustainable development
Climate change
Rapid change in technology
Globalisation
Aging population

6. Cohesion Policy Dialogue and confidence between EU and regions
Concrete expression of European solidarity at regional level
EU-project in action - Interreg!

7. Interreg
What is Interreg best at? Are the current thematic objectives satisfactory or should new ones be considered?
Geography matters: complex programme architecture along internal and external borders –
Scope for improvement?
Co-operation cross-cutting feature of many EU policies, supported by various programmes and instruments
Role of Interreg?
Simplification-most urgent measures needed?

8. Thank you!