CHIPDIPLO Prague Conference: "Bridging the Gap: Central Europe’s Silicon Future"

On January 27, 2026, the Chips Diplomacy Support Initiative (CHIPDIPLO) consortium held its first public conference in Prague under the title "Bridging the Gap: Central Europe’s Silicon Future", bringing together key stakeholders from Central Europe to discuss the region’s growing role in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

The conference was organized by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), a member of CHIPDIPLO, in cooperation with the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster and the Czech Semiconductor Centre. It gathered more than 100 participants, including thirty high-level speakers from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany, representing industry, start-ups, policymaking and diplomatic corps, research organizations, and the broader semiconductor ecosystem.

Opening remarks were delivered by Filip Šebok, Head of CEIAS’s Prague Office, followed by keynote speeches from Stanislav Černý, President of the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster, and Lucie Krčmářová, Director of the Department of Sectoral Expertise and Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The speakers outlined the current state of the Czech semiconductor industry and highlighted key national policy priorities.

In her keynote address, Ms. Krčmářová stated: "In the framework of the Czech National Semiconductor Strategy,  we have delivered on implementing a number of concrete steps—such as launching of the Czech Semiconductor Competence Centre, investment promotion, ecosystem mapping, or support of semiconductor technologies through R&D&I programmes." She also highlighted robust regional activities and the growing international visibility of the local semiconductor industry, noting that securing funding for participation in IPCEI in this area belongs to top priorities.

Through six panel discussions, the conference addressed critical topics shaping Central Europe’s semiconductor future, including Europe’s position in the US–China tech rivalry, national and European policy frameworks for innovation and competitiveness, regional ecosystems, the needs of strategic end-user sectors, and workforce development.

According to Filip Šebok, the CHIPDIPLO conference in Prague highlighted the vitality of the semiconductor sector in Central Europe, with the innovative companies from across the region filling important roles in the global value chain and having a crucial role in European efforts to boost the industry. The discussions showcased the potential of increased integration of regional ecosystems across Central Europe and the need for European and national-level policies tailored to the specific needs of the region’s industry, as the EU moves with the preparation of Chips Act 2.0.

The CHIPDIPLO Project

The Chips Diplomacy Support Initiative (CHIPDIPLO) is an 18-month project led by Institut Montaigne with the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS, Prague and Bratislava), the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS, Brussels) and the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS, Paris and Brussels), and co-funded by the European Union. 

This project aims to help structure European foreign policy in the semiconductor sector, and contributes to the broader strategic objective of constructing a European economic foreign policy. It focuses on strengthening risk management for this strategic industry, promoting a more coordinated approach among the 27 EU Member States, and expanding networks of expertise with key international partners. 
 

❮❯❮❯❮❯❮❯❮❯❮❯❮❯❮❯

CHIDIPLO Public Conference: "Bridging the Gap: Central Europe’s Silicon Future"