OECD Competition Open Day 2025

Event Agenda

Event Agenda

Day

1 : February 26, 2025
08:00 - 08:45
Networking breakfast
A networking breakfast will be offered to onsite participants.
08:45 - 09:35
Opening session with Mathias Cormann, Carmine Di Noia and Keynote by Kathleen Vohs
This session includes opening remarks by Mathias Cormann, (OECD Secretary-General) and Carmine Di Noia (Director, OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs) followed by a Keynote Speech by Kathleen Vohs (Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota). The 2025 edition of "OECD Competition Trends" will be also launched during the session.
AntonioCapobianco (OECD)MathiasCormann (OECD)
09:35 - 10:35
Session 1. Navigating the Future with Heads of Authorities: Confronting emerging challenges in competition.
This panel discussion brings together heads of competition authorities from around the globe to have a dialogue on the pivotal issues shaping the competition policy, law and enforcement landscape of the future. It will be a unique opportunity to hear from leaders in the competition community on the most pressing issues, challenges, and opportunities.
10:35 - 11:00
Break
11:00 - 12:15
Session 2. Rethinking the Standard of Proof in competition law: myth or reality?
The standard of proof is a core concept of competition law; it is the degree to which enforcers must prove their case to succeed in establishing the existence of a competition infringement or an anti-competitive merger. The evidentiary standard defines the quantity and quality of evidence the party must provide to meet the standard of proof required to find a violation or prohibit a merger. Yet, gathering the required evidence is no easy task. With the increasing complexity of establishing antitrust infringements, has the evidentiary standard been set too high? Could it be making it excessively difficult for competition authorities to prove their cases or block mergers? What about in assessments where concepts such as economic moats and entrenchment are involved? Should the standard of proof or the burden of proof be adjusted in the future?
12:15 - 13:45
Lunch break
13:45 - 15:15
Session 3. How should competition policy respond to developments in generative AI
Allowing access to powerful predictive models through everyday language, developments in generative AI over the past couple of years have the potential to positively impact people’s lives. On the other hand, they appear to raise risks across a number of policy areas, from privacy or inequality, and even competition. In a rapidly evolving market, what actions should competition authorities, or those in the wider competition policy arena, be taking to minimise risks to competition? How should these actions be balanced against potential risks of overregulation?
15:15 - 15:30
Break
15:30 - 16:45
Session 4. Reviewing cross-border mergers in the digital age: complexities and emerging approaches?
The review of cross-border mergers is becoming increasingly relevant to competition authorities. A digitalised economy and a recent trend of large-scale transactions is making it more common to have mergers between multinational companies that require review in multiple jurisdictions, with assets located in different parts of the world. In this context, what are the most pressing complexities of cross-border mergers? What emerging strategies or approaches can competition authorities use to effectively review these transactions, considering the unique characteristics of digital markets?
16:45 - 17:00
Concluding remarks
17:00 - 18:00
Reception
Networking drinks will be offered to onsite participants.