The GPC presents their “Global Bridges” report at an official T20 event in Brazil
On November 12, 2024, the Global Policy Center (GPC), in partnership with the Club de Madrid (CdM) and the Centro Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (CEBRI), hosted an official Think20 (T20) side event in Rio de Janeiro. This networking dinner featured the presentation of the newly published report, “Global Bridges: The EU and the Global South for an Inclusive Multilateralism—Ideas from Europe, India, Brazil and South Africa.” The event brought together key policymakers, experts and dignitaries, including Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The report is a collaboration between the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the Ananta Aspen Centre and CEBRI. It features contributions from prominent scholars such as Indrani Bagchi, Feliciano de Sá Guimarães, Steven Gruzd, Maria Joseph and José-Ignacio Torreblanca. It examines the evolving role of emerging powers like Brazil, India and South Africa in reshaping global governance, highlighting the need for multilateral frameworks to adapt to the realities of a multipolar world. Given those realities, it points out, the perspectives of the Global South are increasingly critical.
Aligning aims
The report emphasizes the challenges faced by the EU and the Global South, including economic interdependence, equitable climate action and shared security concerns. It advocates for the EU to move from reactive strategies, such as derisking, toward proactive engagement with middle powers. By fostering dialogue and forging pragmatic alliances, the EU can align its security goals with broader global stability while addressing the aspirations of the Global South.
While a fully inclusive, multilateral system may remain out of reach, the report calls for practical trade-offs in other areas like climate adaptation, development finance and global health. These steps, though imperfect, could promote a multipolar world that reduces power imbalances and fosters cooperation. Ultimately, the report underscores the need for adaptable, inclusive approaches to global governance in today’s fragmented geopolitical landscape.
High-profile presentation
The report was presented at the Think 20 (T20) Summit, the official engagement group of the G20 focused on policy ideas and recommendations. As a platform for global dialogue, the T20 featured leading experts, policymakers and academics, who came together to discuss pressing international challenges and propose actionable solutions. This setting underscored the report’s importance in fostering conversations around inclusive multilateralism and strengthening partnerships between the EU and the Global South.