As reported by Lusa, organisers announced on 23 July that Obama will headline the sixth edition of the public event, which is expected to bring together more than 30 national and international speakers for discussions on leadership, innovation and global challenges.
The 44th President of the United States, who served two terms between 2009 and 2017, is scheduled to take part in a keynote conversation focusing on leadership in times of change, resilience and the ability to drive lasting impact across society and business.
The Game Changers Forum has established itself as one of Portugal’s leading conferences dedicated to leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, regularly attracting prominent figures from politics, business, science and technology.
International presence
Obama is no stranger to Portugal. His first visit came in November 2010, when, as US President, he attended the NATO Summit and the EU-US Summit in Lisbon, where world leaders discussed international security, Afghanistan and transatlantic relations.
He returned briefly in November 2016, making a technical stop at Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island in the Azores while travelling from Germany to Peru during his final overseas tour as president.
His most recent visit took place in 2018, when he travelled to Porto to address a leadership conference. During that appearance, Obama highlighted the urgent need for global action on climate change, a central policy priority throughout his presidency.
As reported by Expresso at the time, he urged governments, businesses and citizens to work together to tackle environmental challenges and defend democratic values in an increasingly interconnected world.
Since leaving office, Obama has remained active through the Obama Foundation, promoting civic engagement, leadership development and democratic participation around the globe. He has also continued to speak regularly at international conferences on issues including climate action, social inclusion, innovation and the future of democracy.
Further details about the October event, including the full programme and additional guest speakers, are expected to be announced by the organisers in the coming weeks.
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His speech will be about the need for more government, more rules for society, more regulations and economic strangulation, and more freedoms for the ne'er-do-wells. Nothing new.
By Tony from USA on 24 Jul 2026, 21:47
Wonder how much this has-been clown show cost the organisers... Either way, what an astronomical waste of money. But it's classic Portugal: always and forever 20 years behind trends.
By Hart from Lisbon on 25 Jul 2026, 14:50
Mr. Obama's primary goal during his 8 years in office was to get as many Americans as possible to have access to affordable health insurance, what Tony has been brainwashed into believing is socialism. Meanwhile his Dear Leader's main achievement has been to increase his own wealth by $2 billion and to turn the federal government into his own Department of Revenge.
Who do you think the world respects more, Tony?
By Woody from Algarve on 26 Jul 2026, 09:41
Tony and Hart show the ignorance of people who just hate, casting disparaging remarks about anything that runs contrary to their beliefs in oligarchies. No, Obama is not perfect. He failed to take full advantage of having a congress controlled by the Democratic party. He continued to the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank by Netanyahu and his ultra-right wing fascist government. It is so absurd for anyone to claim this conference is promoting “outdated” notions when what those people support is returning to having governments controlled by elite, ultra-wealthy racists, like the slave owners who led the world, and created the United States.
By JoeT from Algarve on 26 Jul 2026, 09:58
Tony - nobody here buys the MAGA trash you peddle.
Get a real job.
By Mark from Lisbon on 26 Jul 2026, 11:54