Conversations on the future of Europe in the world: The EU’s ‘Global Gateway’: from Brussels to Bishkek and beyond

LINKS Europe, in collaboration of The City of The Hague and with the support of The Hague Humanity Hub, cordially invites you to a policy dialogue on the future of connectivity in the European Union: The EU’s ‘Global Gateway’: from Brussels to Bishkek and beyond. The event is the fourth in our series, Conversations on the future of Europe in the world, and aims to contribute to the debate within the framework of The Conference on the Future of Europe.

In July 2021, the 27 member states of the European Union’s European Council published conclusions tasking the European Commission and the bloc’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to put together a new global EU connectivity strategy. The document stressed the importance of both physical infrastructure and regulatory frameworks; high-impact and visible projects and activities globally; coherent and streamlined financing schemes; and ways to incentivise the private sector to finance and implement the strategy. Above all, it reflected a desire of EU member states for a coherent and co-ordinated connectivity agenda that brings together the bloc’s institutions with that of the national governments.

Christening the project ‘Global Gateway’, the European Commission has since allocated €300 billion to a multifaceted strategy, “to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world”. Considering China’s immense and growing ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, the EU’s aspiration for a strong and aligned connectivity strategy is unsurprising. But what must this strategy consider? What approaches should it take, and where should its priorities lie?

This policy dialogue will look at the EU’s developing connectivity strategy – identifying areas of importance and potential pitfalls, assessing different approaches, and highlighting best practices – with the participation of experts and the general public.

The event will be moderated by Mr Amit Arkhipov-Goyal, Program Manager, Elva Community Engagement and the speakers include Ambassador Terhi Hakala, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia (pre-recorded speech); Dr Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Senior Research Fellow, the Clingendael Institute; and Dr Wouter Jacobs, Academic Director of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme, Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Programme:

Moderator:

• Mr Amit Arkhipov-Goyal, Program Manager, Elva Community Engagement

Opening Remarks (pre-recorded statement)

• Ambassador Tehri Hakala, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

Speakers:

• Dr. Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Senior Research Fellow, The Clingendael Institute
• Dr. Wouter Jacobs, Academic Director of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Participants in the policy dialogue will hear short presentations from the guest speakers, after which everyone present will be asked to contribute their views on the topic in short 1–2-minute presentations, followed by a general discussion. The opinions and ideas expressed in the meeting will be reflected in a short summary of proceedings, which will be submitted for consideration within the larger Conference on the Future of Europe.

This event will take place online 16:00-18:00 on Thursday, 20 January 2022.

REGISTER HERE