PARIS Oct 16 (Reuters) - Ardian has raised a record $20

billion for its next-generation fund dedicated to energy,

transport and digital connectivity in Europe, showing strong

investor interest in critical infrastructure, the French private

equity firm said on Thursday.

With U.S. President Donald Trump reshaping global alliances

and trade policies, Europe is seeking private investment to

pursue new avenues for economic growth and strengthen its

independence in infrastructure, defence, energy and data

centres.

"Volatility is so high today, and events are so surprising

and so violent that investors feel they have finally

rediscovered the virtues of diversification," Ardian France CEO

Mathias Burghardt told journalists, referring to U.S. and other

international investors.

INTERNATIONAL BACKING

Burghardt said Ardian Infrastructure Fund VI was

targeting physical and virtual connectivity, attracting growing

investments from the United States.

The fund, backed by 229 investors, represents the investment

firm's largest infrastructure platform, with a 90% increase from

Ardian Infrastructure Fund V.

Investors from Asia-Pacific countries contributed 32% of

investments in the fund, Ardian said.

Its fundraising comes after Sweden's EQT closed its flagship

EQT Infrastructure VI fund at 21.5 billion euros earlier this

year, 35% more than its predecessor.