Events
Atlantic Strategy Group 9 – A southern Moment? The Wider Atlantic Outlook in Turbulent Times
From
To
By invitation
The Policy Center for the New South and the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) are jointly organizing the 9th edition of the Atlantic Strategy Group (ASG) meetings in Brussels, Belgium, on February 13-14, 2025.
This edition will focus on reevaluating the concept of the Atlantic as a unified geopolitical space, particularly in the context of North-South relations. Titled "A Southern Moment? The Wider Atlantic Outlook in Turbulent Times," it will gather policymakers, diplomats, and experts to discuss evolving transatlantic dynamics amid political and strategic shifts. Key topics include the implications of U.S. elections, emerging South-South alignments, changing leadership priorities in the EU and AU, and unpredictable global disruptions. The discussions aim to explore innovative frameworks for North-South cooperation and address challenges like climate change, migration, and digital transformation.
The Atlantic Strategy Group is an annual meeting bringing together participants from North America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa. The ASG focuses on issues of shared interest for Atlantic actors while offering an informal forum for leading stakeholders from all sides of the Atlantic basin to explore areas for greater collaboration.
Agenda
|
Thursday February 13, 2025 |
|
|
12h30 – 13h30 |
Lunch |
|
13h30 – 14h45 |
Session 1 - Setting the Scene: The Atlantic South and Transatlantic Relations Seen from Brussels, debates around traditional transatlantic relations and north-south relations are largely disconnected. The issues engage different intellectual circles and different policymakers. The concept of a wider Atlantic, embracing north and south, including Europe, North America, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has acquired new significance in light of growing attention to the “global south.” But can challenges to our traditional mental maps of transatlantic relations be given real meaning amid political and strategic turbulence around the Atlantic?
Moderator: Ian Lesser, Distinguished Fellow and Advisor to the president, The German Marshall Fund of the United States Speakers: Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Brazilian Ambassador to the European Union Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Ana Palacio, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Spain João Vale de Almeida, Former EU Ambassador to US, UN and U.K, European External Action Service |
|
14h45 – 15h00 |
Coffee Break |
|
15h00 – 16h00 |
Session 2 - After the US Elections – What Do Atlantic Partners Want? What Can Washington Deliver? Perspectives and policies emanating from Washington matter. The outcome of the US elections could spell significant change affecting Atlantic partners, from trade to migration, from climate and energy to security. How do southern Atlantic partners see the outlook, and what will they expect from Washington? How might America’s regions and cities – many with natural vocations looking south -- become new poles for Atlantic cooperation?
Moderator: Alexandros Yannis, Head of Policy Planning and Strategic Foresight, European External Action Service Speakers: Rubén Beltrán, Eminent Ambassador and member of the Board of Directors, Mexican Council on Foreign Relations Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Senior Fellow and Director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies - Online Giovanni Grevi, Associate Fellow at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance |
|
16h00 – 16h15 |
Coffee Break |
|
16h15 – 17h15 |
Session 3 - Redefined Priorities under New Leadership On the other side of the Atlantic, both regional multilateral institutions, the EU and the AU, are welcoming new leaderships that bring fresh priorities to the forefront. In a geopolitical climate dominated by nationalism, economic competition, and defence, what strategic shifts will these changes drive? How might they redefine Atlantic relations? Could we see stronger alignment on pressing issues such as climate action, migration, and digital transformation? Or will diverging interests deepen divides? And what innovative initiatives could emerge to shape the Atlantic space in this evolving context?
Moderator: Hermine Sam, Program Coordinator, GMF South Speakers: Asad Beg, Senior Advisor on Cross-cutting issues, EEAS Annie Mutamba, CEO, Meridia Partners |
|
Friday February 14, 2025 |
|
|
10h00 – 11h00 |
Session 4 - A New South Alignment? Conflicts in the northern Atlantic and Mediterranean, alongside rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, are reshaping international relations. Old alliances are straining, new ones are emerging, and many nations are rejecting alignment altogether. Shifts in trade, finance, technology, and connectivity are strengthening South-South ties. Alongside more ideologically driven members of the 'Global South,' a 'New South' is emerging—less dogmatic and focused on balanced partnerships with advanced economies while challenging established norms. Is this 'New South' a cohesive force or a fragmented grouping? What are the implications for North-South alignment and global policymaking?
Moderator: Len Ishmael, Senior Fellow and Visiting Distinguished Fellow, PCNS & GMF Speakers: Ricardo Borges de Castro, Senior Adviser, European Policy Centre Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Julian Ventura, Associate Fellow, Chatham House |
|
11h00 – 11h15 |
Coffee Break |
|
11h15 – 12h15 |
Session 5 - What about the Wild Cards? The international landscape has shifted “off autopilot,” with systemic changes reshaping politics, security, value chains, global health, and technology. But what about the unexpected? Disruptive wild cards—such as geopolitical realignments, climate-induced crises, or abrupt shifts in global trade dynamics—could profoundly alter transatlantic partnerships. Which of these developments should most be considered when discussing the future of transatlantic partnerships? Could a rapid shift in resource control or the emergence of new regional alliances redefine power structures? How might surprising breakthroughs in green technology impact North-South cooperation? How can we mitigate potential shocks to tomorrow’s global connections?
Moderator: Ilke Toygür, Director, Global Policy Center & Professor, School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, IE University Speakers: Guilherme Casarões, Professor, Sao Paulo School of Business Administration of the Getulio Vargas Foundation Ian Lesser, Distinguished Fellow and Advisor to the president, The German Marshall Fund of the United States Lidet Tadesse Shiferaw, Head, Inclusive governance and accountability, European Centre for Development Policy Management |
|
12h15 – 12h30 |
Coffee Break |
|
12h30 – 13h30 |
Session 6 - The Future of North-South Partnership: Is a New Equilibrium Possible? Faced with the consolidation of groupings such as the BRICS, what model for North-South relations can the wider Atlantic offer a mutually beneficial and durable transatlantic partnership? How can new initiatives from both sides of the Atlantic help to foster cooperation, build resilient economies, and offer alternative frameworks for development? How will wider Atlantic initiatives relate to global power shifts in turbulent times?
Moderator: Elena Lazarou, Acting Head of the External Policies Unit, European Parliamentary Research Service Speakers: Mohammed Loulichki, Senior Fellow, policy Center for the New South Julian Ventura, Associate Fellow, Chatham House Renata Zilli, Researcher, European Centre for International Political Economy |
|
13h30 – 14h30 |
Concluding Lunch |
