Announcing Christoph von Ach as one of the keynote speakers at the FNC 2026

The Future of Nations Conference is excited to welcome Dr Christoph von Ach, since October 2025 Secretary General of the European Region Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino, a leading cross-border cooperation body uniting the two Autonomous Provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino in Italy and the Austrian Region of Tyrol. He is hailing from South Tyrol, an autonomous region on the Italian-Austrian border, which after decades of resistance and struggle against the Italian centralist state, today has reached an international recognised Self Government and is often seen as a best practice example for Minority protection.

Christoph von Ach also serves as Founder and Honorary President of the South Tyrolean Friendship Association for the Afrikaner People and brings extensive experience in fostering international collaboration and regional development to FNC 2026.

The South Tyrolean Friendship Association for the Afrikaner People, founded in 2010, was established by local supporters to stand in solidarity with South Africa’s Afrikaner minority, which faces institutionalised social and economic challenges. The association promotes cultural friendship, supports educational and housing projects, raises awareness of Afrikaner minority issues, and fosters peaceful intercultural exchange. Dr von Ach is recognised for driving cross-border collaboration across the Italian-Austrian border and his expertise in the minority protection system and the legal framework of the South Tyrolean Autonomy.

He graduated in law and political science and completed his PhD in law in 2008 with a dissertation on ethnic based trade unions in Italy.

Since 2008, he has worked in the South Tyrolean regional administration, since 2015 as Vice-director of the cabinet office of the regional government and since 2017 as director and secretary general of the European Region.

He is a high-ranking official of the Autonomous South Tyrolean Trade Union Federation ASGB, member of the South Tyrolean Institute of Ethnic Groups and formerly a political assistant in the European Parliament.

At FNC 2026, Dr von Ach will offer a European perspective on regional autonomy, cross-border cooperation, and governance that respects cultural identity and local self-determination. Drawing on decades of experience fostering collaboration across autonomous regions and engaging with civil society on minority and community issues, his address will highlight practical approaches to decentralisation and self-governance.

We look forward to welcoming Dr Christoph von Ach to FNC 2026 and to the valuable perspectives he will offer on cross-border collaboration, minority communities, and the practical implementation of decentralised governance.

Secure your ticket to the FNC here.