2020 World Leader for Peace and Security Award Recipient
On September 10, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, recipient of the 2020 World Leader for Peace and Security Award, delivered her final State of the Union Address before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
In her speech, von der Leyen emphasized the urgency of defending democracy, securing Europe’s future, and advancing strategic autonomy in a time of growing geopolitical challenges. She highlighted Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine, the need to strengthen European defense through initiatives like the SAFE instrument, and the importance of reducing dependence on authoritarian powers.
Von der Leyen also outlined priorities for the digital and green transitions, focusing on AI, energy security, and technological innovation as central to Europe’s competitiveness and resilience. She underlined that Europe must remain a trustworthy global leader, promoting peace, sustainability, and human dignity while working closely with allies across the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
For the Boston Global Forum–AIWS Family, this speech reinforces von der Leyen’s enduring role as a leader and a cherished member of our Family, bridging peace, democracy, and technology governance. Her vision resonates deeply with the mission of AIWS to create an ethical, human-centered society in the Age of AI
📖 Full speech available on the European Commission website: State of the Union Address 2025
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_2053
