Venue: Fundación Botín
Thursday, 29th October 2026, from 12:00 to 13:30 h. CET (UTC+1).
The growing economic, political and diplomatic weight of the Global South represents a structural shift in the international system. For the European Union, this transformation calls for a fundamental rethinking of its engagement with a highly diverse group of countries that are no longer defined primarily as aid recipients, but as strategic partners in trade, investment, innovation, security and global governance.
On what interests can the EU and the countries of the Global South build a lasting partnership? What must change in Europe to achieve it?
Elcano Royal Institute and the Madrid office of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung bring together experts from Africa, India and Latin America to contribute to a renewed approach between the EU and the Global South. A different kind of relationship, one that recognises the diversity and agency of these countries, and prioritises cooperation grounded in mutual benefit.
Participants:
Opening remarks
- Charles Powell, Director, Elcano Royal Institute | @CharlesTPowell
- Valeska Hesse, Delegate for Spain and Portugal, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) | @ValeskaHesse
Roundtable
- Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), New Delhi | @ConstantinoX
- Margarita Gómez, Executive Director, Southern Voice | @MargaritaGomez_
- Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, Director of Research, Policy and Programs, African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) | @AcetforAfrica
- Moderator: Iliana Olivié, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | @iolivie
Organized by:
– The event will be held in Spanish and English, with simultaneous translation.
– Attendance at the event requires prior confirmation by email to confirmaciones@rielcano.org, starting on 21 October 2026.
Image: World map with glowing connecting lines. Photo: Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images.
