Building Partnerships of Purpose

A conference on EU's international partnerships and geostrategic role in a shifting world order Set during the Danish EU-presidency, this conference will bring together Danish and EU policymakers, academia, think tanks, civil society, and the private sector to examine and debate the EU’s evolving role in global development. The conference will feature high-level keynotes and panel sessions and explore concrete ways to ensure that future partnerships are both equitable and strategically effective. In an era marked by geopolitical shifts, the EU must define its role as a geostrategic actor in global sustainable development. The EU’s Global Gateway strategy underscores its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and its ambition to engage in development as a strategic partner. However, establishing mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships that enhance, for instance, the EU’s security and competitiveness while supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, upholding the treaty-bound commitment to poverty reduction, and ensuring local ownership is easier said than done. This calls for a discussion on how the EU positions itself as a geostrategic actor in a way that supports global sustainable development. The conference offers a unique opportunity to advance the conversation on the future of EU’s international partnerships specifically in Africa and how the EU can refine its approach to ensure that partnerships are both equitable and strategically beneficial. Arranged in collaboration with Danish Institute for Internationale Studies, Thinktank EUROPE, and Global Focus. Co-financed with a grant from Europa-Nævnet. The content is the sole responsibility of the recipient of the grant.