Policy Exchange and GIGA Berlin Office

Am 13. und 14. Oktober 2025 boten GIGA-Wissenschaftler:innen im Rahmen von „Leibniz im Bundestag“ Einzelgespräche für Bundestagsabgeordnete zu aktuellen außenpolitischen Themen an. Parlamentsmitglieder aus allen Fraktionen machten davon Gebrauch. 

Global carbon markets rely heavily on land-based projects in the Global South. While offering to finance nature-based solutions, they risk overestimating emissions reductions and producing conflict with local communities over scarce land resources. A new Land Matrix report underlines the need for high-integrity markets.

Find out more about the key takeaways from this GIGA Talk here. The panel of high-level experts examined evolving alignments, external involvement, and conflict dynamics and discussed their implications for the region’s future.

As multilateral frameworks come under pressure and global supply chains are being redrawn, Brazil and Germany share compelling common ground: democratic resilience, complementary economic strengths, and a shared commitment to international law. This conversation brings together senior voices from government, industry and research to explore how both countries can deepen their partnership as a stabilizing force in uncertain times.

Global power shifts and rising agency across the Global South are reshaping international cooperation and prompting the formation of new partnerships. Throughout 2026, the GIGA will examine both Germany’s evolving relations with and emerging collaboration between countries of the Global South.

Syriens Übergangsregierung ringt um die Kontrolle über den Sicherheitssektor. Die Armee beendete Anfang 2026 weitgehend die kurdische Autonomie in Nordsyrien. Droht neuerliche Gewalteskalation? Wie schützt man Minderheiten? Welche Rolle spielen USA, Israel und Türkei? Und was kann Europa bewirken?

For nearly 30 years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has endured violent conflicts fuelled by the illegal exploitation of natural resources. This panel will examine why peace processes have faltered and explore pathways to lasting peace. This seminar is organised by KAS scholarship holders in cooperation with the GIGA.

Academic Freedom at Risk: Empirical Insights and Best-Practice Guidelines for the Social Sciences, GIGA Berlin Office, Berlin Prof. Dr. Mariana Llanos (Panelist), Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra (Panelist), Alina Maria Ripplinger (Panelist)

We were happy to host the workshop “Academic Freedom at Risk: Empirical Insights and Best-Practice Guidelines for the Social Sciences”, a project developed by MA students at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy. The workshop featured speakers Prof. Dr. Mariana Llanos and Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra.

In Venezuela, the United States and the post-Maduro leadership are contesting what it means to “run the country.” But will there be a chance for a democratic opening? What impact will this have on the region? And will socialist Cuba survive losing its key ally and facing severe economic crisis? The key takeaways from the event are now online!

With Maduro‘s arrest by US forces, Trump’s sanctions on President Petro, and crucial elections ahead, Colombia faces unprecedented challenges. This GIGA Talk examines how the peace process, drug trafficking, and US–Venezuela tensions will shape Colombia‘s political future and Germany‘s engagement with the country.

A panel of experts discussed the risks of democratic backsliding in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto, the sources of resistance and the implications for Germany’s strategic choices. Read on to learn more about the highlights of the discussion.

This workshop brings together experts from across regions to discuss critical issues at the intersection of AI governance, cyber resilience, and digital transformation.

This GIGA Talk explores how people and politicians across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East view today’s major conflicts — perspectives often missing from European media. Our panelists discuss how history, regional dynamics, and strategic priorities shape these diverse interpretations of events.

We cordially invite you to a keynote speech and Q&A session with His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Am 13. und 14. Oktober 2025 boten GIGA-Wissenschaftler:innen im Rahmen von „Leibniz im Bundestag“ Einzelgespräche für Bundestagsabgeordnete zu aktuellen außenpolitischen Themen an. Parlamentsmitglieder aus allen Fraktionen machten davon Gebrauch. 

Global carbon markets rely heavily on land-based projects in the Global South. While offering to finance nature-based solutions, they risk overestimating emissions reductions and producing conflict with local communities over scarce land resources. A new Land Matrix report underlines the need for high-integrity markets.

Find out more about the key takeaways from this GIGA Talk here. The panel of high-level experts examined evolving alignments, external involvement, and conflict dynamics and discussed their implications for the region’s future.

A panel of experts discussed the risks of democratic backsliding in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto, the sources of resistance and the implications for Germany’s strategic choices. Read on to learn more about the highlights of the discussion.

Organiser: Leuphana University of Lüneburg Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz (Consultant)

Sprecher bei Podiumsdiskussion

Annual Meeting of the Association for Social Science Research on China, Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), Berlin Organisers: Mercator Institute for China Studies Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Consultant)

Together with Mikko Huotari (MERICS), Anne Braun (FFO) and Stefan Messingschlager (Helmut-Schmidt University), Julia Gurol-Haller discussed the challenges and opportunities for policy transfer and policy impact as well as knowledge transfer in contemporary China studies.

Organiser: Akademie Sankelmark Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz (Consultant)

Vortrag

Brazil: A Strategic Partnership for Germany in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty, Embassy of Brazil in Berlin, Wallstraße 57,  10179 Berlin Prof. Dr. Merike Blofield (Organiser), Dr. Samuel Siewers (Panelist), Prof. Dr. Detlef Nolte (Panelist), Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest (Moderator), Jesús Renzullo (Panelist), Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques (Panelist), Janaina Maldonado Guerra da Cunha (Panelist)

GIGA and the Embassy of Brazil in Berlin explored the strategic partnership between Brazil and Germany amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Syriens Übergangsregierung ringt um die Kontrolle über den Sicherheitssektor. Die Armee beendete Anfang 2026 weitgehend die kurdische Autonomie in Nordsyrien. Droht neuerliche Gewalteskalation? Wie schützt man Minderheiten? Welche Rolle spielen USA, Israel und Türkei? Und was kann Europa bewirken?

Organiser: Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Consultant), Oliver Hasenkamp (Consultant)

Patrick Köllner and Oliver Hasenkamp spoke about multilateralism and climate issues, security and the role of external actors in Oceania at the Royal College of Defence Studies’ Global Strategy Programme, a training course for senior military officers, officials, and business representatives from 47 countries.

22. Partnertreffen des Wirtschaftsnetzwerks Afrika, Haus der deutschen Wirtschaft, Berlin Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest (Consultant)

Neben China engagieren sich zunehmend andere externe Akteure in Afrika. Der Input beleuchtet Strategien und Interessen von Staaten wie den VAE, Saudi-Arabien, Indien, der Türkei und Russland – und zeigt, wie sie wirtschaftliche Investitionen mit geopolitischen Zielen verknüpfen.

In Venezuela, the United States and the post-Maduro leadership are contesting what it means to “run the country.” But will there be a chance for a democratic opening? What impact will this have on the region? And will socialist Cuba survive losing its key ally and facing severe economic crisis? The key takeaways from the event are now online!

Organiser: Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSS) Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra (Speaker)

Invited speaker to discuss India-EU technological cooperation as part of an experts' forum to identify feasible areas of cooperation.

With Maduro‘s arrest by US forces, Trump’s sanctions on President Petro, and crucial elections ahead, Colombia faces unprecedented challenges. This GIGA Talk examines how the peace process, drug trafficking, and US–Venezuela tensions will shape Colombia‘s political future and Germany‘s engagement with the country.

Der IS im Syrien Post-Assad, Schauspiel, Köln Dr. André Bank (Consultant)

Welchen Einfluss hat der Islamische Staat (IS) in Syrien nach dem Ende Assads? Im Nachgang zum Theaterstück "V13 - Die Terroranschläge von Paris" im Schauspiel Köln steht der Syrien-Experte Dr. André Bank Rede und Antwort.

A panel of experts discussed the risks of democratic backsliding in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto, the sources of resistance and the implications for Germany’s strategic choices. Read on to learn more about the highlights of the discussion.

Organiser: Leuphana University of Lüneburg Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz (Consultant)

Sprecher bei Podiumsdiskussion

Annual Meeting of the Association for Social Science Research on China, Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), Berlin Organisers: Mercator Institute for China Studies Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Consultant)

Together with Mikko Huotari (MERICS), Anne Braun (FFO) and Stefan Messingschlager (Helmut-Schmidt University), Julia Gurol-Haller discussed the challenges and opportunities for policy transfer and policy impact as well as knowledge transfer in contemporary China studies.

Organiser: Akademie Sankelmark Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz (Consultant)

Vortrag