Looking back, looking forward: Global South perspectives on the BRI
Please note: this is a hybrid event taking place between 16:30-18:00 CET at ODI Europe (Silversquare, 35 Square de Meeus, Brussels, Belgium) and online.
Description
Since its launch a decade ago, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has generated both optimism and controversy over its impacts, the potential for infrastructure development, and China’s presence in the Global South. Ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum taking place in October 2023, ODI Europe is holding a panel event to convene experts from Europe and BRI partner countries working in research and policy to critically reflect on the past ten years of the initiative – its evolution, impacts, challenges and controversies – and on its potential future.
What development risks – and opportunities – has the BRI provided in the Global South? How has the global development landscape changed in response to the BRI? What will the next phase look like, and how will it intersect with new platforms such as the Global Development Initiative? The discussion will be preceded by a presentation on current ODI work, including new research on Chinese risk finance in the BRI.
The event will be followed by a drinks reception for guests and speakers.
Speakers
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Dora Meredith
Director, ODI Europe (Moderator)
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H.E. Grace Asirwatham
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union (Panellist)
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Linda Calabrese
Research Fellow, ODI (Panellist)
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Yunnan Chen
Research Fellow, ODI (Panellist)
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Lin Goethals
Director, European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) (Panellist)
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H.E. Bitange Ndemo
Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (Panellist)
