Salon
Driving Growth: Local Value Chains & Global Trade
Berlin Global Dialogue
Salon: Driving Growth: Local Value Chains & Global Trade
October 24, 2025
ESMT Berlin
Amid growing geopolitical and economic tensions, Europe and Germany face a critical moment to redefine their international engagement – particularly with partners across the African continent. The Commission “A Changing World – Germany and the Global South” has highlighted ways to strategically reposition Germany and Europe in their relationships with the Global South.
As traditional trade relations shift, strengthening local value chains, enhancing trade agreements, and mobilizing private capital are becoming key to building more resilient and mutually beneficial economies.
This Global Perspectives Salon brought together political, economic, and private-sector perspectives to explore practical strategies and best practices for scaling local economies. We examined how EU trade agreements with the Global South can foster sustainable collaboration, and how improved guarantee mechanisms can attract greater private investment.
Contact Persons
Rhoda Berger, r.berger@globalperspectives.org
Sarah van Bentum, s.vanbentum@globalperspectives.org
Supported by
Salon
Continuous dialogue creates awareness for the urgent questions of our time. In salons, renowned experts open the discussion with our selected guests from business, politics and society.
Related Program
In times of limited resources and geopolitical tension, multilateral institutions can maximize the impact of existing development funding.
We discussed with State Secretary Niels Annen how development policy can be integrated into networked foreign, security, and economic policies.
US tariffs changes are causing new uncertainties in global trade. Together with ONE and Pinelopi K. Goldberg, we discussed how international development policy needs to be realigned.
Germany is a country of immigration. Building on our Commission's recommendations for action, we discussed ways to better manage and communicate labor migration.
Europe and Africa have the chance to advance technology and shape the future of the global space economy together through cooperation.
How can Germany build strong, sustainable relationships with countries in the Global South that benefit both sides? At HSC 2025, we continued the dialogue on the Commission's recommendations.
The Commission “A Changing World – Germany and the Global South” presents its recommendations as a basis for addressing key strategic decisions facing Germany today.
How can Germany's international cooperation become more sustainable? After a year of intensive work, the Commission presented its final report recommendations for discussion.
The Commission "A Changing World - Germany and the Global South", chaired by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, presents its first impulses ahead of the German federal elections in 2025.
Our discussion at Raw Materials Congress focused on fostering smart and sustainable European-African partnerships in raw materials to meet demand, boost African growth, and support energy transitions.
Program Archive
In times of limited resources and geopolitical tension, multilateral institutions can maximize the impact of existing development funding.
Funding cuts are putting health systems across Africa under pressure. Collaboration with Germany and Europe can help strengthen healthcare in the long term.
This interview publication reviews the effects of recent cuts in reproductive health, presents practical options for funding and service delivery, and offers guidance for policymakers and investors.
Africa’s critical minerals are essential to Europe’s future, playing a significant role in the green transition and industrial competitiveness. The Follow-Up to the 9th edition of the Roundtable.
In the ninth edition of the Africa Roundtable, we discussed how Europe and Africa build partnerships that turn Africa's raw material wealth into local value creation.
This paper explores how Africa can add value to its critical minerals, boost local processing, and drive green industrialization while strengthening regional and global supply chains.
We discussed with State Secretary Niels Annen how development policy can be integrated into networked foreign, security, and economic policies.
US tariffs changes are causing new uncertainties in global trade. Together with ONE and Pinelopi K. Goldberg, we discussed how international development policy needs to be realigned.
Our speaker James Irungu Mwangi shared his perspective on how to accelerate climate action and investment across Africa. Together, we discussed what it will take to mobilize the green finance needed.