Topical Agenda

In a fast-changing global arena, the Atlantic region is emerging as a common space for development, dialogue and a new platform for North-South cooperation. The momentum created by enhanced dialogue can be seen in the multiplication of multilateral and intergovernmental initiatives to address the region's cross-border challenges.

The idea of a more assertive Atlantic is at the root of a number of economic, political and security trends that have the potential to significantly impact on the world.. A deeper understanding of the meaning and potential implications of this new perception of the Atlantic Basin is needed, as it marks a shift in the dynamics of the region. Understanding this phenomenon requires exploring different perspectives from Africa, Europe and the Americas.

From an economic perspective, a more assertive Atlantic has significant implications for global trade and investment. With emerging economies in the region and the presence of major economic powers, the Atlantic region is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of international trade agreements and economic cooperation. As the region becomes more assertive, its influence in global economic decision-making is likely to grow.

Politically, a more assertive Atlantic reflects the growing importance of the region's collective voice in global governance and diplomacy. African countries are looking for a more balanced distribution of power that includes a meaningful representation of African voices in the Atlantic-centric multinational organizations and beyond. North America and Europe are seeking to adapt to new power dynamics and changes in global politics. Latin America seeks active engagement in transatlantic dialogues to address common challenges and help shape global governance.

From a security perspective, a more assertive Atlantic means a more coordinated response to the threats and challenges posed by its changing strategic environment. The region is a nerve center for security considerations due to its strategic location, the importance of its peatlands in mitigating the effects of climate change, the vastness of its arable land, its importance as a transit route for global trade and its submarine cable infrastructure. As the Atlantic region becomes more assertive in addressing security challenges, it would reshape the global security agenda.

Thursday, December 14

11:00 – 12:15 Launch of the 10th Edition of the Atlantic Currents: An Annual Report on Wider Atlantic Perspectives and Patterns

12:15 – 14:15 Lunch

14:30 – 14:45 AD App Presentation

14:45 – 15:00 Welcoming Remarks

15: 00 – 15:45 Townhall with Nik Gowing

15:45– 17:00 Plenary I: Fostering South-South Cooperation in Troubled Times

17:00 – 17:30 Coffee Break

17:30 – 18:45 Plenary II: The Future of Strategic Partnerships and Multilateralism

18:45 – 19:15 A Trilateral Think Tank Initiative: The Rise of the Global South – New Consensus Wanted

19:15 – 21:15 Moroccan Dinner

21:30 – 23:00 Night Owls

Night Owl I: Two Months After the Annual Meetings of Marrakesh: Are We on the Right Path?

Night Owl II: US Elections Ahead: Implications for the Atlantic

Friday, December 15

09:30 – 10:45 Plenary III: An International Finance Architecture Fit for Global Challenges

10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:30 Plenary IV: Perspectives from the Wider Atlantic: Similarities and Variances

12:30 – 12:40 AD Spotlight

12:45 – 14:15 Lunch

14:30 – 15:45 Plenary V: Economic Nationalism: A Moment or a Movement?

15:45 – 17:00 Plenary VI: Who’s on the Backfoot? Authoritarianism, Democracy, and Populism Today

17:00 – 17:30 Coffee Break

17:30 – 18:00 Conversation I: The Atlantic as Horizon

18:00 – 19:15 Plenary VII: Brain Drain and the Global Scramble for Talent

19:15- 20:00 Transfers to Breakout Dinners Venues

20:00 – 22:00 Breakout Dinners

Do Bretton Woods Institutions have a Credibility Crisis?
Demography: Population as Power
The Resurgence of Industrial Policy: Africa’s Path Forward
The SDGs of Tomorrow
AI’s Human Capital: Opportunities and Challenges
Industry 4.0 and the New Global Manufacturing Map
Diaspora: An Engine for Africa’s Development
The New Hybrid Conflicts: Between Technology and Information Warfare
Natural Resource Access in a Fragmented World
Female Participation in the Arab World (In Arabic)
The Brazilian Come Back in Africa
The Transitioning Balance in the Indopacific: Implications for the Wider Atlantic
Multilateral Institutions Reform
The Quality Improvement of Universities: A Necessity for African Youth Perspectives
From Military to Power: A New Norm in the Sahel?
Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power
Global Agriculture Sustainability Challenges
Le Dialogue des Communautés : Un Impératif (In French)