On 8 September 2021, the European Commission issued its second annual Strategic Foresight Report – The EU’s capacity and freedom to act.

This communication covers the EU’s open strategic autonomy and identifies four main global trends impacting the EU’s capacity and freedom to act: climate change and other environmental challenges; digital hyper-connectivity and technological transformation; pressure on democracy and values; and shifts in the global order and demography. It sets out 10 key areas of action where the EU can seize opportunities for its global leadership and open strategic autonomy. These areas include ensuring first-mover global position in standard setting and building resilient and future-proof economic and financial systems.