Overview
The Sanctions and Illicit Finance Monitoring and Analysis Network (SIFMANet) will host its annual summit, convening leading stakeholders from across Europe to assess the evolving role of sanctions in responding to the most pressing security challenges in 2025.
Sanctions have risen to the forefront of Europe’s response to international security challenges, most visibly in countering Russia’s aggression. Russia remains the primary threat to European security and requires sustained targeting, yet the sanctions toolkit is in need of constant updating. New hybrid challenges, from the operation of shadow fleets circumventing oil restrictions, to the role of cryptocurrency in procuring critical high priority list items to sabotage activities against critical infrastructure, all expose gaps in the system and demand sharper, more coordinated responses. At the same time, transnational crime has become an increasingly important focus, with organised crime groups, cybercriminals, and networks involved in irregular migration exploiting regulatory loopholes to sustain their activities.
As the threat landscape shifts, Europe must refine its sanctions regimes, strengthen enforcement, and close the gaps exploited by hostile actors.
Agenda
08:30 – 09:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:00 – 10:00 Breakfast Session
Sanctions Relief and Offramps: Delivering Promised Benefits
What lessons can be drawn from recent relief episodes, and how do uncertainties over removal shape both policymaking and private sector risk appetite? The Summit will open with a breakfast discussion on the politics and practice of lifting sanctions.
10:00 – 12:00 Workshop 1
Countering Russia’s Hybrid Threats through Sanctions
Russia remains Europe’s foremost sanctions challenge. This first workshop will examine how restrictive measures can disrupt Russia’s hybrid toolkit, including its shadow fleet operations, sabotage activities against critical infrastructure and cyberattacks, and how sanctions can be better integrated with other defensive instruments.
12:00 – 13:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 – 15:30 Workshop 2
Targeting Transnational Crime: Expanding the EU Sanctions Toolbox
Sanctions must play a stronger role in tackling non-state threats. This session will assess the EU’s growing use of thematic regimes against organised crime, cybercrime, and irregular migration, considering where they are effective, where gaps remain, and how to sharpen them against fast-evolving criminal networks.
15:45 – 16:45 Coffee Chat
Inside the Sanctions Process: Challenging Designations
An insider’s view from those who represent designated individuals. This conversation will explore how cases are built and contested, the challenges of due process, and what policymakers can learn from those who fight sanctions in court.
17:00 – 18:30 Public Panel Discussion
Cryptocurrencies and Sanctions Evasion beyond the Financial System
Cryptocurrencies are increasingly exploited to purchase high-priority items outside the traditional financial system, creating new risks for sanctions enforcement. This panel will bring together regulators, industry, and academics to explore the typologies of abuse observed, the investigative tools available, and the policies needed to close these loopholes.
18:30 – 20:00 Reception and Networking Drinks
How to attend
This summit will convene policymakers, practitioners and experts to assess the evolving role of sanctions in addressing today’s security challenges.
The programme will include:
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Closed-door workshops for selected experts contributing specialist knowledge and experience.
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Public panel discussion open to selected participants, both the workshop experts as well as panel-only attendees.
This registration is intended for both industry experts wishing to participate in the full summit, as well as the selected participants interested in only attending the public discussion. During the registration process, please select which part of the summit you are interested in attending. Only applications from industry experts will be considered for attendance to the closed-door workshops and full day summit.
This is an in-person event taking place in Brussels. Please register your interest by 3 November to be considered. Confirmations will be sent shortly after the registration deadline.
Please note that filming/photography is taking place at this event