This session will present and discuss the 9th edition of Atlantic Currents report, one of the flagship annual publications of the Policy Center for the New South. This report comes along with the high-level Atlantic Dialogues conference and explores key global issues facing the Atlantic from a Southern viewpoint.

In line with the theme of the Atlantic Dialogues Conference, this 9th edition will be devoted to “Collaboration in a Mutating World: Opportunities of the Wider Atlantic”. It will analyze the political, economic, social and security developments reshaping societies and relationships in the Atlantic Basin as well as the opportunities they present for further cooperation and common strategies.

Since 2020, the international community has been witnessing seismic changes in several spheres. COVID-19 has disrupted global production and its supply chains. The war in Ukraine has sparked an energy crisis, induced food insecurity, resulting in acute effects for the most vulnerable. The multilateral system has been profoundly challenged, and climate change and nuclear war threats are on the table. In the context of these compounded crises, the Wider Atlantic has emerged as a crucial element of geopolitical and geoeconomic analysis in world affairs. The session will discuss the prospects of cooperation in the Wider Atlantic that would make it possible for states to collectively tackle common issues. It will also investigate the extent to which such cooperation might shift the gaze from Asia and the Pacific into a Wider Atlantic.

- What are some of the features characterizing the impacts of these compounded crises?

- What are the security, political and economic drivers of the Wider Atlantic—being at the intersection between the Americas, Europe and Africa—in the current global context?

- Would a Wider Atlantic unified strategy be useful as an attempt to quell the crisis?

- What is the role of Africa and Latin America in (re)shaping the Wider Atlantic dynamics?

After decades of economic integration, the world seems to be fragmenting again, epitomized best, perhaps, by the return of geopolitics, protectionism, unilateral sanctions, treaty withdrawals, and even military and economic coercions. The war in Ukraine seemed to further deepen this impression of a suffering international order especially in the Wider Atlantic, where a difference of views divides the West and the global South. Concomitantly, institutions of multilateralism, such as the United Nations and its manifold agencies, have been criticized for their lack of efficiency and their institutional sclerosis. They have, additionally, been challenged by the global South, notably the African continent, for their unfair governing structures with increasing pressures to add two African seats to the Security Council. Unlike countries of the northern Atlantic, the southern Atlantic still lacks mechanisms of effective collaboration and the willingness to align positions on the international scene.

- How can we bridge the gap between positions and posture between the global South and the global North?

- Is the Wider Atlantic a viable space for cooperation and dialogue between states?

- Is multilateralism in need of a global reform? What is the role of the global South in this overhaul?

Inflation is back on the agenda. The rise of inflation occurred in the aftermath of the global activity rebound out of the COVID-19 when global value chains were severely disrupted and have been contending to recover since then. The Russia-Ukraine conflict added new strains over the global economy, raising energy and food prices. Inflation brings more uncertainty in the operation of an economy and introduces new transaction costs for economic agents, constrained to hedge against it. A more granular assessment indicates that vulnerable households were severely affected on two fronts. Their real disposable income shrunk while at the same time their savings slushed considerably, as their holdings are not generally inflation-immune. Besides, the aggressive reaction it generated from macroeconomic policy makers and its implications worldwide, this inflation trend could be the catalyst of ongoing transformations. It could strengthen even further the hand of those preaching globalization and advocating for self-reliance behaviors. In addition, inflation can also lead to questioning the balance of power between workers and capital holders, heralding a new era in labor markets negotiations. 

- Are we heading toward a new inflation age?

- What are the drivers of today’s inflation and how similar/different is it from the 1970s?

- How can domestic policies cope with this issue? Can a collective international response prove to be effective?

- Beyond classic implications, can this inflation trend trigger more profound transformation of the worldwide economic system?

Whether a sign of a healthy democratic experience or that of a deep and generalized discontent, in recent years, the world has witnessed a multitude of protest movements. From the “Occupy” movement, the "Indignados", the social riots in some Latin American countries, the so-called “Arab Spring”, to the more recent “Gilets Jaunes” or “Antivax”, the world registered a clear increase in dissents since the financial crisis (2007-08). These social movements have clearly demonstrated the growing frustration from socioeconomic policies. They have also pointed at some dysfunctions in democracies in terms of good governance, political representation, and economic justice. Hence, with street power seemingly coming back at the center of world geopolitics, governments are increasingly brought back to the fundamentals of the balance between power and people. Governments are challenged by mass protests, social media polemics and even boycott campaigns that can sometimes lead to damaging instability.

- How can we preserve values of democracy in today’s mutating world?

- What’s at stake in today’s world governance?

- In an era of proven instances of manipulation and interference in news and social media, how can governments ensure freedom of expression while addressing these challenges?

The growing tensions in international relations that culminated in the war in Ukraine and the Sino-American rivalry put NATO and the dialectic of the transatlantic alliance back at the forefront of global strategic affairs. The 2022 Strategic Concept falls within this dynamic by confirming the intentions at consolidating the capabilities of NATO for the benefit of the defense and collective security of all the Allies. This adjustment leads us to consider the current period as a transition phase, and to rethink the Alliance's relationship with the enlarged Atlantic in the light of Cooperative Security. The Euro-Atlantic certainly has the strategic and economic means as well as the capabilities to occupy the preponderant place in the enlarged Atlantic space. On the other hand, the Latin American and Afro-Atlantic subgroups, marked by a long history of development and security research, are rising in power, as great emerging powers for some, due to their new global geopolitical postures and their desire for diplomatic and strategic autonomy. Therefore, the wider Atlantic cannot be reduced to a vast and simple space segmented between the Euro-Atlantic and the South Atlantic, but it must also be thought of as a relevant space for cooperative security and economic prosperity. However, there are still many questions as to how this could take shape in a world full of uncertainties.

- What is the South Atlantic’s room for manoeuvre?

- What are the intentions of the Atlantic Alliance?

- What are the consequences of the global powers’ play on the region?

- Are there opportunities for cooperation in the Wider Atlantic?

An unprecedented threat to humanity, the climate crisis has been worsening for decades. Global warming is profoundly impacting the environment, the global economy, and the international peace and stability on which humanity depends. Food production, access to fresh water, and livable ambient temperatures are increasingly at risk. These crises create significant hardship and pose risks to all, but above all, to vulnerable developing countries. Today, many climate-related issues have become increasingly important areas for international cooperation, such as reducing methane emissions, building resilience to climate-related extreme weather events, prioritizing a green recovery from COVID-19, and the role of public financial institutions. However, while interests in addressing climate change may overlap, priorities often differ. In this sense, the issue of climate finance remains contentious but must be addressed to overcome lingering bottlenecks and accelerate adaptation and resilience to climate change.

- What is the current state of climate change cooperation in the Atlantic Basin?

- Will the “Loss and Damage” agreement, adopted during COP27, truly contribute to scaling up finance for climate action?

- How can countries overcome their differences to improve climate change cooperation?

The rise of geopolitical tensions in the world has added a new threat in the Sahel, an area already riddled with economic and security uncertainties. The withdrawal of European troops and the drastic reduction in the number of French troops has created a vacuum where the Sahelian states were already struggling to spread their administrative authority in their vast territories. The very concept of foreign intervention and its architecture in the case of the Sahel zone must be reformulated and reassessed in the light of recent events. Part of the answers require the empowerment of local armies and the establishment of regional peacekeeping mechanisms. These initiatives to expand counter-terrorism strategies still suffer from lack of funding and coordination. The efficiency of regional approaches and their coordination with other international entities and the question of the financing of these initiatives is at the heart of the new security deal in the Sahel. In that sense, an approach centered on economic development and the security-development nexus is insistently demanded by the States of the Sahel who reject a mere security and military approach.

- How can the current crisis be interpreted and how can regional initiatives like the G5 Sahel tackle the current security crisis?

- How can new approaches against violent extremism  be implemented to help states stabilize their territories?

- How can long-term political stability be restored in the Sahel and the link ensured between security and development approaches?

The Atlantic Basin can be considered a relatively peaceful geopolitical space. However, unprecedented challenges in terms of policy planning and strategizing have had to be faced by South and North Atlantic states. The conjunction of sanitary, economic, and political crises has raised questions about the historical stability of the Atlantic Basin. It has also given traction to pre-existing populist and far-right movements in many parts of the northern Atlantic. Nonetheless, The Atlantic Basin as a fresh and untapped geopolitical space can serve as a new platform for a North-South dialogue. With the maritimization of the world and the expansion of international trade, the Atlantic Ocean can be considered like a river that can be bridged where new narratives and postures can emerge, when it comes to international relations and the perception of the developing world. The necessary synergy between economic growth and energy transition and the new paradigm for migration imposes a Pan Atlantic approach to these challenges and greater commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

- How can we change narratives around the Atlantic Basin and include a North-South dimension in the geopolitical framing of this territory? 

- How can we strengthen cooperation and understanding between Southern Atlantic countries and the rest of the stakeholders ? 

1. L’Atlantique euro-africain: Un espace de coopération digne d’intérêt(in French)
2. Leveling Commitment to Unlock the Energy Transition
3. L’impact des crises récentes sur les chaînes d'approvisionnement et les commodités (In French)
4. Aftermath of War in Europe: The West vs. the Global South?
5. Powering Peace in Africa
6. Competing Influences in the Southern Atlantic
7. U.S.-Africa: An Opportunity Lost or Found?  
8. The Atlantic and the Future of the European Union
9. Asia, Africa, and the Wider Atlantic
10. Women’s Leadership in Times of Crises
11. Towards an Inclusive AfCFTA: Opportunities for Women and Youth
12. New Digital Technologies for Development
13. هجرة الكفاآت: الوجه الآخر للهجرة وحركية الساكنة في حوض البحر الابيض المتوسط (in Arabic)
14. The Challenges of Human Development in the Context of Mixed Crises
15. What Commons in the Wider Atlantic?
16. Banking on Climate Finance: A Call to Action

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The rise of inequality is becoming one of the biggest concerns for developed, developing and emerging economies. Nowadays, more than ever, it is becoming an extremely important issue facing many economies around the world, not only from an equity point of view but also from an economic and social perspectives.

The recent COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of the global economic system and has also put strong emphasis on the importance of the social state in fighting inequalities. Indeed, during this pandemic, we have seen that a large part of the population, mainly in the southern part of the Atlantic, has been left overnight without financial means to cover its basic daily needs. This situation has been aggravated by the low levels of access to social protection, and by the low qualification of workers in several economic sectors and in particular in the informal sector, which does not allow them to keep their job or to find a new one that can be carried out remotely from home.

- What is the role of social state in fighting inequality? what are the main policies that governments should prioritize, to help reduce within-country inequality and ensure that economic gains are well shared ?

- How can governments strengthen their capacity to raise the necessary tax revenues, in order to finance the social investment needed to reduce inequalities without discouraging economic activity?

- What is the cost of tax havens for developing countries and what role can international cooperation play in dealing with this issue?

- How can governance be made more effective to help fight within countries inequality?

France and Morocco share much of their history and geography. They are not only Mediterranean countries but also Atlantic countries. They have both taken part in the processes of institutionalization and consolidation of solidarities in their respective continents, while working to build partnerships between Africa and Europe.

Considering the fragmentation and reorganization of the world, however:

• How do they view the major challenges facing the international community and humanity?
• What differences in perception are implied by their different positions in the concert of nations?
• How can these differences be acknowledged without undermining the possibility of cooperation for the common good(s)?
• What are the specific and shared principles that drive their external action?

Morocco has two coastlines totalling a length of 3500 km, of which around 3000 give access to the Atlantic. This strategic geographical asset has the potential to turn the country into a crucial meeting point between the Americas and the rest of Africa. With distances shrinking due to the maritimization of the world, and the important opportunities in terms of economic cooperation, the Atlantic Ocean can also be considered as a space that bridges new narratives and perceptions of the developing world. In June 2022, Rabat hosted the 1st Ministerial Meeting of the African Atlantic States, an initiative aiming at laying the groundwork for a shared strategic vision and establishing a common African Atlantic identity. However, while stronger cooperation and better trade performance is on the agenda, addressing current security threats in the region remains an urgent priority. With recent discoveries of gas in the Southern Atlantic, new threats can quickly emerge with the rise of transnational crime and terrorist activities. As a result, the need for maritime security and cooperation among Atlantic states will become primordial with increased economic activity in the Atlantic.

- In what ways can Morocco exploit its geostrategic location to the fullest in its mission to promote maritime cooperation along the Atlantic coastline?

- How can these countries design a common framework to discuss and address security threats in the region and push for a Pan Atlantic partnership?

- How can Morocco capitalize on its transatlantic relations as a financial leverage to attract foreign aid and grow expertise that can be shared with the countries most exposed to the Atlantic’s emerging security challenges?

- How can the country move from security cooperation to a more consistent and comprehensive model able to revitalize transatlantic trade and enhance investor trust and interest in the region?

Latin America (LATAM) was severely affected by COVID-19 as it accounted for a high mortality rate, a decelerating economic performance and food insecurity has been on the rise. Soaring inflation has therefore taken place with no abating signs. However, opportunities for growth, investment and poverty reduction lurk for LATAM amidst the Eastern Europe conflict. LATAM states, especially large commodity exporters, are presented before a historical chance to take advantage of the current geopolitical turmoil. Raising commodity prices and diversifying its exports from primary to manufacturing products could eventually pay enormous dividends for LATAM. Nevertheless, addressing inflationary pressures cannot be fully realized without a strong interstate cooperation that would form a consolidated region, regardless of internal divisions and ideological differences.

- How is a potentially consolidated LATAM perceived, despite power asymmetries between its member states?

- Will existing trade agreements in LATAM, such as Mercosur, the Central American Common Market (CACM), and the Andean community, forge the path to a unified region with sufficient capabilities to fight the crisis?

- What are the odds of LATAM considerably replacing Russia’s role as a major raw material exporter in the status quo? What effects on the Wider Atlantic?

The final plenary is dedicated to the Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders (ADEL), a tailor-made leadership program gathering young professionals from across the Atlantic before and during the conference. This year, the ADEL program connects 30 women and men, aged 25 to 35, who have been selected from a pool of over 1600 applicants. These young professionals have demonstrated leadership in their fields and aim to shape the regional and global agenda in politics, finance, business, civil society, academia and the media. 

This year’s program, held from December 11 to 13, consists of structured group conversations with decision and opinion makers on key Atlantic development and cooperation issues, informal meetings with innovative community leaders and think tank representatives, and innovative workshops and sessions on collective intelligence, leadership and public policy, to name a few. It also leads to the creation of an interconnected community of 350 Alumni, that the Policy Center is following and inviting in various activities. 

Every year, the final plenary of the Atlantic Dialogues conference is dedicated to the Emerging leaders. It provides a platform for the younger generation of Atlantic leaders to share their perspectives on the topic of their choice, but also serves a refreshing conference send-off. The group votes for four of their peers to represent them on stage, a customary way for the Policy Center to close the conference.