Events
Atlantic Strategy Group 7
From
To
By Invitation
The war in Ukraine has spurred extraordinary interest in the question of the global south – a concept that raises many questions and which still lacks a comprehensive definition. The debate spans views on Russia, China, and the "West" and underscores changing ideas about security, competitiveness, the role of the state, and approaches to climate change. The discourse is global but with a distinctive Atlantic aspect. It illustrates the increasing relevance of a wider Atlantic approach spanning Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean alongside North America and Europe. Are we witnessing a growing divide between North and South? Or is the picture more mixed, even on Ukraine? To what extent may we see greater north-south convergence on climate or trade? What is the outlook, and how should it inform our mental maps of transatlantic relations? What can be done to increase the policy relevance of the wider Atlantic in global affairs?
Jointly organized by the Policy Center for the New South and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the 7th edition of the Atlantic Strategy Group will explore the future of the wider Atlantic idea and related policies against the backdrop of a changed and more risk-prone geopolitical and geo-economic scene.
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
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Monday, 23rd October |
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09:00-09:15 |
Opening Remarks Speakers Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) Ian Lesser, Vice-President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States |
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09:15-10:30 |
Session 1 - The Wider Atlantic: History of an Idea The idea of a wider approach to transatlantic relations, emphasizing the place of the southern Atlantic and the importance of North-South ties, is rooted in the long history of Atlantic affairs. The once conventional understanding of relations across the Atlantic as a space of North-North connection has proven to be too limited, failing to recognize the importance of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, alongside North America and Europe. A decade ago, the impetus to revisit our mental maps about the Atlantic came under conditions of stability in the north and opportunity in the south. Today, there is conflict in the north and multiple challenges affecting security and development on a global basis. To what extent does the troubled international context call for rethinking relations around the wider Atlantic as part of a broader North- South conversation? Speakers: Mohammed Loulichki, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) Len Ishmael, Former Ambassador, GMF-PCNS Senior Fellow Moderator: Ian Lesser, Vice President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States |
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10:30-12:00 |
Session 2 - Flashpoint for Debate: China, Strategic Competitor or Alternative Model? For many countries in the Atlantic south, partnership with China has been seen as an opportunity to deepen their commercial, political, and strategic relationships with a non-western power. China has become a significant financier of infrastructure projects in Latin America and Africa, and becoming an important, even a leading trade partner for key countries. China's influence has been reinforced by its technological capabilities and its pragmatic view of global governance based on non-interference in internal affairs. Yet, notwithstanding its influence in the region, critical views on China are also starting to emerge in the South. All of this is at variance with a much more critical view of China in North America and Europe, with Beijing increasingly seen as a strategic competitor in political, economic and military terms. Can these views of China be reconciled, against the backdrop of a troubled geopolitical and geo-economic scene? Can more effective wider- Atlantic partnerships offer a lower-risk alternative? Speakers: Hussein Kalout, Member of the International Advisory Board, The Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) Cristina Alves, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences Universite Mohammed VI Polytechnique (FGSES-UMP6P) Jakkie Cilliers, Chair of Board, Head African Futures & Innovation, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria Moderator: Yuan Yang, Europe-China Correspondent, Financial Times |
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13:30-15:00 |
Session 3 - Flashpoint for Debate: Ukraine – Fundamental Divide or Managed Non-Alignment? The war in Ukraine and the sweeping sanctions on Russia have become focal points in the debate about the “West” (or the north) and the “global south.” Perceptions and policies around the Atlantic south are hardly monolithic. But countries such as Brazil and South Africa, among others, have clearly opted for an arm’s length approach and a degree of functional non-alignment. To what extent are differences over the war and policy toward Russia emblematic of a more profound divide between north and south? Can a degree of ethical and legal convergence in approaches to the ongoing conflict co-exist alongside disagreement over sanctions and other measures? What does the current experience tell us about values, geopolitics, and practical diplomacy? Speakers: Djiby Sow, Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies, Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, Dakar Len Ishmael, Former Ambassador, GMF-PCNS Senior Fellow Ivan Krastev, Chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia (online) Moderator: Sara Hasnaa Mokaddem, Manager, Strategic Monitoring & Analysis Unit, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) |
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15:00-15:15 |
Coffee break |
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15:15-16:45 |
Session 4 - Atlantic Connectivity: New Benefits, New Risks The resilience of Atlantic infrastructures is of crucial importance. From undersea cables to energy grids, telecom lines, and shipping routes, Atlantic connectivity is a key enabler of global communication and trade. On a global basis, connectivity has also become a feature of an increasingly competitive geopolitical scene. Societies around the Atlantic basin are leading stakeholders in future developments on this front; new projects as well as the security and resilience of these links. To what extent can new regional initiatives like the EU’s “global gateway” compete with Chinese efforts through the Belt and Road? What are the new, regional opportunities? How can governments and the private sector hedge against connectivity-related risks? What are the specific opportunities for north-south partnership? Speakers: Jesko Hentschel, Country Director, Maghreb, World Bank Romana Vlahutin, Former EU Ambassador at Large for Connectivity Julian Ventura, Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Mexico Moderator: Richard Doherty, Deloitte Public Sector industry leader for EMEA |
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Tuesday, 24th October |
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09:30-10:30 |
Session 5 - Climate and Energy: An Atlantic Nexus? Climate change is endangering global political, economic, and social stability. This phenomenon strongly affects the Atlantic region: droughts, desertification, land degradation, and water acidification are affecting large parts of Africa, South and North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The ocean has been a core element in the history of economic development around the Atlantic basin, and it could now play a crucial role in addressing climate change. Climate, energy, and security concerns have led to a pronounced interest in new energy sources, and the Atlantic Ocean has great potential to produce renewable energy and lead the global energy transition. How can Atlantic resources help to foster the energy transition? Will the southern Atlantic play a greater role in the global energy equation? Will north and south be on the same page regarding climate and energy policy? What are the opportunities for Atlantic partnership on these questions? Speakers: Larabi Jaidi, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) Jordan Koop, Policy Officer, NATO Paul Isbell, Affiliate Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University |
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10:30-12:30 |
Session 6 - A New Atlantic System? Implications for Policy and Governance Beyond the lively intellectual debate about “wider” or southern Atlanticism, there are important questions about the extent to which these concepts can and should be reflected in policy. International policy institutions, national, regional and multilateral, do not easily accommodate thinking across latitudes in the Atlantic. Looking ahead, expanded wider Atlantic networks can contribute to debate and analysis, and can help to shape policies. But are new initiatives, even new institutions needed? What are some practical steps that can be taken today to build wider Atlantic cooperation? What do Northern and Southern actors expect from each other, and how can these demands be reflected in their partnership? Speakers: Ambassador Nezha Alaoui M’hammdi, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) – online Rear Admiral Nuno de Noronha Braganca, Coordinator, Atlantic Centre, Madeira Ambassador Jessica Lapenn, Senior Coordinator for the Atlantic Cooperation, U.S. Department of State Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary, African Atlantic States Process Moderator: Ian Lesser, Vice-President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States |
