Christiana Figueres
Architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement | Former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC | Co-Founder, Global Optimism | Bestselling Author
Antonio Costa
President of the European Council | Former Prime Minister of Portugal (2015-2024) | Former Mayor of Lisbon | Expert on EU Strategy, Geopolitics & Sustainability
Few political leaders combine the breadth of executive experience and EU-level authority of Antonio Costa. As President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Portugal, he leads the Union's response to war in Ukraine, defense, competitiveness, and the energy transition. Audiences gain insider perspective on European strategy, geopolitical realignment, and how political decisions shape business and society.
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Antonio Costa biography
Political speaker Antonio Costa is the President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Portugal, recognized as one of Europe’s most experienced political leaders and a central voice shaping the European Union’s strategic direction.
Speaker Antonio Costa took office as the fourth President of the European Council on 1 December 2024, succeeding Charles Michel. In this role, he chairs European Council meetings and ensures the external representation of the EU, working with member state leaders to drive the bloc’s political priorities. He leads the Union’s response to the most consequential challenges facing the continent, including the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, EU competitiveness, defense and security, enlargement toward the Western Balkans, and the energy transition.
Before assuming his current role, Costa served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015 to 2024, leading the country through nearly a decade marked by economic recovery, falling unemployment, fiscal consolidation, and major progress in renewable energy. He also served as Secretary-General of the Portuguese Socialist Party from 2014 to 2024.
President of the European Council
Costa brings nearly a decade of European Council experience to his current mandate, allowing him to take office with a deep understanding of the institutional dynamics, member state priorities, and global negotiations that define EU decision-making. His agenda emphasizes unity among member states, strategic autonomy, deeper integration, and a stronger EU role on the world stage. He is the first person of color to occupy one of the EU’s top leadership positions. As President of the European Council, he regularly represents the Union at major global summits, from the EU-Mercosur agreement signing to EU-Mexico and EU-Western Balkans meetings.
His earlier career includes serving as Mayor of Lisbon (2007-2015), leading a transformative period for the Portuguese capital with major investments in urban renewal, public transport, and culture. He also served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and Member of the European Parliament.
As a speaker, Antonio Costa offers senior audiences a uniquely informed perspective on the future of Europe, transatlantic relations, EU competitiveness, the energy transition, and the geopolitical realignments reshaping the global order. Audiences gain rare insight from a leader who has both governed a member state and now drives the strategic direction of the entire Union, translating high-level political dynamics into concrete implications for business, policy, and society.
Antonio Costa Speaking Videos
António Costa - Making Markets Work for People
António Costa
Antonio Costa Keynote Topics
Costa offers a sitting President of the European Council's perspective on where the Union is heading: deeper integration, strategic autonomy, defense capability, and a stronger global voice. He examines what unity among twenty-seven member states actually requires, why competitiveness has become the EU's defining challenge, and how Europe can secure its place in a world reshaped by US-China rivalry and rising geopolitical fragmentation.
A frank assessment of the geopolitical realignment underway: the war in Ukraine and Europe's response, the Middle East, the redefinition of transatlantic relations, and the rise of the Global South. Costa explores how Europe defends multilateralism and a rules-based international order while building partnerships across regions, from the EU-Mercosur agreement to the EU-Western Balkans summit, to counter power politics with cooperation.
Drawing on his experience leading Portugal through economic recovery and chairing European Council debates on competitiveness, Costa addresses what the EU must do to close the productivity gap with the US and China. He covers the single market, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, industrial strategy, the role of EU capital markets, and the policy choices facing European business.
As Prime Minister, Costa positioned Portugal as a leader in renewable energy. As President of the European Council, he frames the green and digital transitions as central to Europe's prosperity and security. This keynote covers decarbonization, energy security after the Ukraine war, the link between sustainability and competitiveness, and how governments and businesses can align on long-term economic resilience.
As Prime Minister, Antonio Costa positioned Portugal among Europe's leaders in renewable energy, with a national strategy built around solar, wind, green hydrogen, and the phase-out of coal. He extended that vision into transport, urban mobility, and grid modernization, areas now central to the EU's broader climate agenda. As President of the European Council, he frames the green transition not as a cost to manage but as the foundation for Europe's long-term competitiveness, energy security, and industrial renewal.
In this keynote, Costa connects climate policy to economic strategy: how decarbonization can drive growth rather than constrain it, how electrification and clean transport reshape European industry, what energy independence means in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, and how governments and businesses can align on a credible, financeable path to net zero.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Antonio Costa
Why Antonio Costa?
Booking Antonio Costa as a speaker for your event delivers strategic value at the highest level. As President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Portugal, Costa offers a perspective that almost no other speaker in the world can match: insider knowledge of how the European Union actually works, combined with the executive experience of governing a member state for nearly a decade. He addresses the issues that matter most to senior leaders today, from the future of Europe and geopolitical realignment to competitiveness, the energy transition, and the role of the West in a multipolar world. Aurum Speakers Bureau can connect you directly with Antonio Costa for keynotes, fireside chats, and strategic discussions designed to give your audience genuine insight from a leader at the center of European decision-making.
Is Antonio Costa the President of the European Council?
Yes. Antonio Costa took office as the fourth President of the European Council on 1 December 2024, succeeding Charles Michel of Belgium. EU heads of state and government elected him to the role on 27 June 2024. As President, he chairs European Council meetings, drives forward the Union's political agenda, and represents the EU on the world stage on matters of common foreign and security policy. He is the first person of color to hold one of the EU's top leadership positions.
What was Antonio Costa known for as Prime Minister of Portugal?
Antonio Costa served as Prime Minister of Portugal from November 2015 to April 2024, leading three consecutive Socialist-led governments. He came to power after building a parliamentary alliance with left-wing parties, the so-called "geringonça," that ended a period of austerity. During his tenure, Portugal experienced economic recovery, declining unemployment, fiscal consolidation, and significant progress in renewable energy and sustainable development. Before becoming Prime Minister, he served as Mayor of Lisbon (2007-2015), Minister of Justice, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and Member of the European Parliament.
What topics does political speaker Antonio Costa cover in his keynotes?
Antonio Costa speaks on the future of Europe, EU competitiveness and strategic autonomy, transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine and European defense, the Middle East and global multilateralism, EU enlargement toward the Western Balkans, the energy transition, and sustainable economic growth. He is especially valuable for audiences of CEOs, policymakers, and investors who need clarity on how European political decisions will shape markets, regulation, and the global order. To book Antonio Costa for your event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Antonio Costa as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Antonio Costa as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Antonio Costa's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Antonio Costa or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Antonio Costa speaking fee?
Antonio Costa speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Antonio Costa to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Antonio Costa.
How can I contact Antonio Costa?
We only work with Antonio Costa on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Antonio Costa and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Antonio Costa speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Antonio Costa for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Antonio Costa for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Antonio Costa is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Antonio Costa for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
