The AEBR General Assembly and Annual Conference 2026, kindly hosted by the East Border Regions Committee, will be taking place in Carrickmacross and Dundalk in Ireland from 28 to 31 October 2026.
The AEBR General Assembly, conference dinner with Sail of Papenburg Award presentation, Two-Day Annual Conference plus Social Programme and Study Visit will take place at the Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross, Ireland and some other locations in the East Border Region and also across the border in Northern Ireland.
Please note: You might need to apply for a personal ETA visum to cross the border to Northern Ireland if you are travelling from EU countries (online processing time usually is approx. one week).
If you would like to participate, please register for the AEBR GENERAL ASSEMBLY (AEBR members only), ANNUAL CONFERENCE (public events) and ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE PROGRAMME in Carrickmacross and Northern Ireland HERE.
Please refer to the Practical Information document HERE for information on how to get there (Dublin airport is the best option), the AEBR conference hotels, shuttle availability, ETA-Visa requirements for the Dinner on Friday and the study visit on Saturay and any other info.
As customary, the X AEBR Cross-Border School will take place on the day preceding the Annual Events, at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in Dundalk, on the 28 of October 26.
If you would like to participate, please register for the X AEBR CROSS-BORDER SCHOOL in Dundalk (public event, English language) HERE.
The AEBR Cross-Border School will take place in English language only, for the Annual Events, translation in DE and EN will be provided.
| Association of European Border Regions (AEBR/AGEG)
Annual Conference and Events 2026 – 28th- 31st October 2026 in association with East Border Region Committee (EBR) (Ireland/Northern Ireland) ‘Cross-Border Regions as Catalysts for Peace and Stability’ Indicative Agenda – Full details of panels and speakers will be made available during October 2026 |
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| 29/10/26 | DAY 1 – Venue – Nuremore Lodge Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland |
| 08.30 | Registration and Coffee |
| 09.00 | AEBR General Assembly |
| 11.00 | Coffee Break |
| 11.30 | Formal Opening of AEBR Annual Conference |
| 12.00 | Session 1:
50 Years of Peace-making through Cross-Border Cooperation Moderated by East Border Region Committee Session will explore and showcase best practice and achievements in cross-border cooperation as peacebuilding in the Ireland/Northern Ireland Border Region |
| 13.30 | Lunch |
| 14.15 | Session 2:
Resilient Borders Moderated by AEBR Session will explore best practice in cooperation governance and key insights relevant to the role of cross-border cooperation and border regions in enhancing resilience |
| 15.30 | Coffee Break |
| 15.45 | Session 3:
The role of Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy in Cross Border Cooperation Moderated by AEBR Session will explore the role of deliberative and participatory democratic governance for cross-border development cooperation and in enhancing good democratic governance in border regions, including in the context of the Council of Europe New Democratic Pact for Europe |
| 17.00 | Day 1 Closing Remarks |
| 19.00 | Reception – Presentation of Sail of Papenburg |
| 20.00 | Dinner with Keynote Speaker |
| 30/10/26 | DAY 2 – Venue – Nuremore Lodge Hotel |
| 09.30 | Session 4:
Cross-Border Cooperation in a Thriving and Enlarged Europe Moderated by AEBR Session will discuss the significance of cross-border cooperation and the role of border regions in EU cohesion, EU enlargement, and in EU neighbourhood territorial diplomacy |
| 11.00 | Coffee Break |
| 11.30 | Session 5:
The Future of Cohesion Policy Moderated by AEBR Session will discuss the future of cohesion policy with a focus on the role of border regions and cross-border cooperation in a comprehensive approach to cohesion across Europe |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 | Departing from the Nuremore Hotel.
(Delegates will be able to visit both attractions) Patrick Kavanagh Centre; Step into the world of one of Irelands most celebrated poets at this dedicated centre in his birthplace. Explore exhibitions showcasing Kavanagh’s life, work, and enduring influence on Irish literature. Brehon Brewhouse; Sample locally crafted beers and learn about the traditional brewing methods that have been adapted for modern tastes. Enjoy a tasing session featuring distinctive flavours that reflect the character of the Irish countryside. |
| 17.00 | Buses leave for Evening Programme in Northern Ireland – EBR to provide details (please note: ETA required) |
| 31/10/26 | Day 3 – Expedition – Warrenpoint and Carlingford (please note: ETA required) |
| 09.30 | Bus Departs for Expedition |
| 15.00 | Bus Drop off at Dublin Airport |
| 16.00 | Bus Drop off at Dublin City Centre |
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