Concept note

In recent years, persistent transformation has emerged to be the key driver of the global economy, reshaping economic structures, financial markets, and the broader policy landscape. Repeated shocks, persistent uncertainty, structural realignments, and rapid technological progress have fundamentally reshaped the framework in which economies, financial markets, and policymakers operate. In this evolving environment, central banks occupy a uniquely important position. While many of the underlying drivers of uncertainty lie beyond the direct scope of monetary policy, central banks can, through monetary policy calibrated to the objectives and conditions of their own economies, foster a more predictable environment and anchor domestic stability, thereby supporting cross-border economic cooperation.

Navigating these complex dynamics calls for strategic reassessment, innovative approaches, and sustained international discourse. In this context, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary launched the Budapest Financial Summit, a new international flagship conference series with its inaugural edition being held on 16–17 September 2026 in Budapest. The conference will serve as a high-level, recurring platform for substantive exchange, convening central bankers, financial leaders, policymakers, and academic experts from both Eastern and Western economies.

Under the overarching theme “Central Banking in a Fragmented World”, the conference will focus on the key challenges facing central banks, and on how policy frameworks are adapting to these shifts. The programme will examine the ongoing transformation of the international monetary system, encompassing the potential and limitations of alternative reserve assets, as well as the fragmentation of global capital flows and its implications for financial stability. It will also cover the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming central bank operations and shaping the broader financial sector. The discussion will further address the deployment of supervisory technologies to mitigate cybercrime and fraud, the role of financial education in strengthening resilience, and the incorporation of sustainability considerations into central bank monetary and prudential frameworks. The agenda combines high-level plenary sessions with a distinct emphasis on interactive engagement. Alongside keynote speeches and panel discussions, it introduces simultaneous thematic workshops that depart from conventional conference formats. By engaging more targeted audiences, these sessions are designed to foster focused deliberation and active participation, allowing for deeper, more nuanced review of specific policy approaches.