The growing global demand for energy, food, strategic minerals, and raw materials has been reshaping international economic and political relations. Countries rich in natural resources face the challenge of turning their comparative advantages into greater economic autonomy, technological development, and influence in global negotiations.
The session will discuss strategies to strengthen sovereignty over resources, improve terms of trade, and promote balanced partnerships with investors, companies, and governments from different regions. Topics addressed will include value addition, economic security, productive diversification, and strategic governance.
- How can developing and Global South countries navigate the turbulent waters of the current geopolitical landscape to position themselves as safe harbors for attracting investment?
- What policies and institutional mechanisms have proven most effective in enabling resource-rich countries to move beyond simple commodity exports toward value addition and local technological development, and what are the main obstacles faced in this process?
- What are investors’ perspectives on emerging markets in priority sectors — such as oil and gas, critical minerals, and other raw materials? And how can governments build more balanced partnerships with these investors and global powers, ensuring that trade terms and investment agreements effectively reflect their long-term sovereignty and development interests?