Bilderberg Agenda: What Topics Are Discussed at the World’s Most Exclusive Meeting?
From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to geopolitics and climate change—explore the key topics that shape discussions at annual Bilderberg Meetings. Discover how the agenda has evolved over seven decades.
Understanding the Bilderberg Agenda: How Topics Are Selected and Discussed
De Bilderberg agenda reflects the most pressing challenges facing the Western world at any given moment. Unlike formal international summits where agendas are negotiated in advance and bound by diplomatic protocols, the Bilderberg Club deliberately maintains flexibility in its discussion topics, allowing participants to address emerging issues with remarkable responsiveness.
Elk jaar wordt de Stuurgroep—a group of approximately 30 influential figures from Europe and North America—selects the topics based on their urgency, relevance to transatlantic relations, and potential for meaningful informal dialogue. The committee consults with experts and considers input from previous participants before finalizing the Bilderberg Meeting agenda.
While specific conversations remain confidential under the Chatham House Rule, the Bilderberg Groep has increased transparency in recent decades by publishing general agenda topics after each meeting. This allows the public to understand what issues are being discussed, even if the details of those discussions remain private.
De Bilderberg agenda typically includes between 8 and 15 broad topics, each addressed through plenary sessions and smaller working groups over the four-day conference. Participants—who attend in their personal capacity rather than as official representatives—are encouraged to speak freely, challenge conventional wisdom, and explore solutions that might be politically difficult to discuss in public forums.
Learn More About How Bilderberg Works →Key Facts About the Bilderberg Agenda
8-15
Topics discussed per meeting
4 Days
Of intensive discussions
2010
First year agenda published online
100%
Off-the-record under Chatham House Rule
Recent Bilderberg Agenda Topics by Year
De Bilderberg agenda evolves each year to reflect current global challenges. Below are the official topics from recent Bilderberg bijeenkomsten, as published by the organization. These topics provide a window into the issues that concern the world’s most influential leaders.
Bilderberg 2025 Agenda – Stockholm, Sweden
June 12-15, 2025 | 71st Bilderberg Meeting | ~130 participants from 22 countries
Bilderberg 2024 Agenda – Madrid, Spain
May 30 – June 2, 2024 | 70th Bilderberg Meeting | 131 participants from 25 countries
Bilderberg 2023 Agenda – Lisbon, Portugal
View Archive →May 18-21, 2023 | 69th Bilderberg Meeting | 130 participants from 23 countries
Major Categories on the Bilderberg Agenda
While specific topics change each year, the Bilderberg agenda consistently addresses several broad thematic areas. These categories reflect the core concerns of the Bilderberg Club and the expertise of its deelnemers. Understanding these categories helps contextualize what the world’s most influential leaders discuss behind closed doors.
Geopolitics & Security
NATO, transatlantic security, Russia-Ukraine conflict, China relations, Middle East dynamics, and emerging threats to Western stability. This category dominates recent agendas as geopolitical tensions intensify globally.
Technology & AI
Artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, digital platforms, future of warfare technology, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. AI has been a top-tier Bilderberg agenda topic since 2023.
Economics & Finance
Global economic outlook, banking system stability, fiscal challenges, inflation, trade policies, and the future of economic growth models. Central bank governors and finance ministers frequently attend these sessions.
Energy & Climate
Energy security, the transition to renewable energy, climate policy coordination, and the geopolitics of energy resources. Energy CEOs from Shell, BP, and major utilities are regular Bilderberg attendees.
Democracy & Governance
Future of democracy, populism, institutional resilience, transatlantic political cooperation, and leadership challenges. The US and European political landscapes are consistent agenda items.
European Integration
EU challenges, European economic competitiveness, Brexit implications, and the future of European unity. Given Bilderberg’s origins in fostering transatlantic ties, Europe has always been central to the Bilderberg mission.
How the Bilderberg Agenda Has Evolved Over Seven Decades
De Bilderberg agenda has transformed dramatically since the first meeting in 1954. What began as a forum focused primarily on healing post-war divisions between Europe and America has evolved to address an increasingly complex global landscape.
During the Cold War era (1954-1991), the Bilderberg Club agenda was dominated by East-West relations, containing Soviet expansion, strengthening NATO, and building European economic cooperation. The organization played a significant role in discussions that preceded major initiatives like the European Economic Community.
De post-Cold War period (1991-2008) saw the agenda shift toward globalization, European integration, and the emergence of new economic powers. Topics like the euro, EU enlargement, and China’s rise to economic prominence featured heavily.
Since the 2008 financial crisis, the Bilderberg agenda has increasingly focused on economic stability, technological disruption, and the return of great power competition. The Bijeenkomst Madrid 2024 marked AI as a central concern—a topic that has dominated discussions in recent years alongside the Ukraine conflict and shifting US-China relations.
Explore Complete Bilderberg History →Recurring Bilderberg Agenda Themes
🔄 Transatlantic Relations
On the agenda every year since 1954—the founding purpose of Bilderberg.
🇷🇺 Russia Relations
From Cold War containment to post-Soviet engagement to current conflict.
🇨🇳 China
Consistently on the agenda since the 1990s as China’s global influence grows.
💰 Global Economy
Economic outlook, fiscal policy, and financial stability are perennial concerns.
🤖 Emerging Technology
From nuclear technology to the internet to AI—each era’s defining technology.
Veelgestelde vragen over de Bilderberg Agenda
Common questions about what the Bilderberg Club discusses, how topics are chosen, and what happens during the four-day meetings.
Who decides the Bilderberg agenda?
De Stuurgroep—approximately 30 members from Europe and North America—selects the topics for each meeting. The committee meets throughout the year and consults with experts and previous participants. The current Chairman, Henri de Castries, oversees this process while ensuring topics reflect pressing transatlantic concerns.
Is the Bilderberg agenda published in advance?
Nee. Bilderberg agenda is typically published on the official website at the start of the meeting or shortly before. The organization announces general topics but does not distribute detailed agendas in advance. This allows flexibility to address rapidly evolving situations and prevents the agenda from becoming a target for lobbying or pressure.
How detailed are the published agenda topics?
The published topics are deliberately broad—usually just a few words describing each area of discussion. For example, “AI” or “European Economy” without specific sub-topics or questions. This reflects both the Chatham House Rule and the informal nature of the discussions. Detailed session agendas are not made public.
Are decisions made based on the Bilderberg agenda?
No formal decisions, votes, or resolutions result from the Bilderberg Club meetings. The agenda topics serve as discussion frameworks, not decision-making items. Participants exchange ideas and perspectives, but any subsequent policy decisions are made independently in their official capacities. Read more about how Bilderberg works.
Why has AI dominated recent Bilderberg agendas?
Artificial intelligence has been a top-tier agenda item since 2023, reflecting its profound implications for economics, security, governance, and society. The Bijeenkomst Madrid 2024 featured executives from Google DeepMind, Microsoft AI, and other tech leaders. AI governance represents exactly the kind of complex, cross-sector challenge that Bilderberg was designed to address.
How many topics are on a typical Bilderberg agenda?
A typical Bilderberg agenda includes between 8 and 15 broad topics. The 2025 Stockholm meeting had approximately 10 topics, while 2024 Madrid featured 10 as well. Each topic is addressed through a combination of plenary sessions (all participants) and smaller working groups over the four-day conference.
Can we see transcripts of agenda discussions?
No. No recordings, transcripts, photographs, or detailed notes from Bilderberg discussions are published. The Chatham House Rule means participants can use information from the meeting but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals. This confidentiality is designed to encourage frank, off-the-record conversations among high-profile deelnemers.
Where can I find historical Bilderberg agenda topics?
Our meetings archive includes agenda topics for all conferences since Bilderberg began publishing them (approximately 2010). Earlier historical agendas can be found in academic research and investigative journalism. We compile this information to provide the most comprehensive Bilderberg agenda resource available online.
Explore More About the Bilderberg Club
Now that you understand the Bilderberg agenda, explore our complete coverage of the world’s most influential private meeting. Browse attendee lists, discover the organization’s fascinating history, or learn about the Stuurgroep that shapes each conference.