Global Solutions Initiative Foundation

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Global Solutions Initiative Foundation

The Global Solutions Initiative (GSI) works towards a global economic system that benefits people and planet.

Rooted in research, we bring together policy, academia, civil society, and the private sector to generate insights for better global governance.

18/06/2026

The questions matter as much as the answers.

At this year's Global Solutions Summit Hashtag , our Sherpa Panel brought together Hashtag representatives for one of the most candid and forward-looking conversations of the day. 🌍

A few reflections that stayed with us:
💬 "The problems are not solved if you don't face them." - Federico Pinedo, Hashtag Sherpa for Argentina, made a compelling case for dialogue without preconditions: we cannot wait for consensus before we begin the discussion. He called for a new trade order where fair competition is the rule, not the exception.

💬"A gap is not a bad thing - it allows you to build bridges." - Andreas Schaal, OECD - OCDE, grounding what could have been a difficult conversation about global imbalances in something more constructive. Balanced growth, he reminded the room, means we are all in this together.

Lisa Elliston, Hashtag Sherpa for Australia, brought clarity on what meaningful progress actually requires - a defined target, an economic lens that integrates social and climate realities, and above all, accountability. 🎯

💬 Shambhu Hakki, Hashtag Sous Sherpa for India, spoke to the power of coalitions: "Countries like India are going to play an important role in building bridges" - pointing to the International Solar Alliance with France as a living example. And with equal force reminded us that, "Innovation is important. But it needs to be affordable."

Ulrich Oberndorfer, Hashtag Sous Sherpa for Germany, refocused the conversation on balance - reflecting on his own country, where balanced development is not just seen as an economic one, but also a moral one that is strong and sustainable. ⚖️🌱

📸 Photo credits: Robert Schlesinger

17/06/2026

🎥 Women’s Economic Power: The Untapped Engine of Global Growth – Insights from Lisa Elliston at

As the meets in Évian and the resets its agenda, one truth is becoming undeniable: women’s economic participation isn’t just a social issue - it’s the core of sustainable growth. In this candid conversation at the Global Solutions Summit 2026, Lisa Elliston breaks down why closing the gender gap isn’t optional - it’s essential.

From Australia’s Brisbane Goal to South Africa’s Tharwani Initiative, the message is clear: countries that invest in women’s economic inclusion see tangible returns. Yet, as Elliston notes, progress isn’t automatic - it demands focus, accountability, and a willingness to treat gender equity as a non-negotiable economic priority.

🔹 Beyond lip service – Why gender equity is a growth strategy, not a side note
🔹 From Brisbane to Évian – How global summits are (slowly) catching up to the data
🔹 The multilateralism we need – More female voices, more inclusive solutions

The mood? Urgent but hopeful. The question? How do we turn rhetoric into action - and ensure no one is left behind?

👉 Watch the full interview by Marie-Florence Mahwera and join the conversation: What’s the one policy change that could unlock women’s economic potential at scale?
https://youtu.be/RxHsWMRm1jA?si=m7NLfS82Z_ImbEgI

16/06/2026

Session Recap: The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council for Global Problem Solving (CGP) and Think Tank Cooperation Network (TTCN)

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council for Global Problem Solving (CGP) and the Think Tank Cooperation Network (TTCN) - part of - brought together leading think tanks and research institutions to address a critical moment in global governance.

With the currently underway in Évian, and with the United States holding the G20 presidency, both forums face deeply interconnected challenges that neither can tackle alone. The meeting highlighted the need for a shift from universal rules-based multilateralism toward more adaptive, coalition-based coordination, where the and can play complementary roles. 🌍🏛️

The CGP, bridging both processes, helps align analysis, sustain continuity, and turn ideas into actionable pathways. Given the 2026–27 presidential cycle, the focus was on where the CGP’s collective influence can be most effective and what concrete commitments member institutions can take forward.

The discussion contributed to the summit’s theme by reinforcing that effective governance requires collaboration beyond states. An ever-growing number of regions are affected by conflict, complicating investment, yet there is a rising awareness and activity - including through conferences like the GSS - that is generating pressure to act.

Many thanks to Amar Bhattacharya, Laura Chappell, Marília Closs, Chadrima Das, Stephanie Diepeveen, Hitomi Kaori, Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Divij Joshi, Homi Kharas, Philani Mthembu, Trita Parsi, Richard Ponzio, Paul Samson, Anirban Sarma, Sarang Shidore, Dennis J. Snower, Rebecca Snyder, Izabella Teixeira (She/Her), Sébastien Treyer, Grant T., Zachary Paikin, Vidisha Mishra and Christian Kastrop for contributing to this discussion.

📸Photo credits: Bernhard Ludewig

11/06/2026

Middle Powers: Redefining Global Cooperation – From to the in Evian

As major powers step back, middle powers are taking the lead - but can they turn their growing influence into lasting change? At this year’s Global Solutions Summit, the discussion - curated in partnership with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) - revealed how these nations are reshaping global cooperation despite economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.

With the G7 Summit in Evian just around the corner, the insights from are more relevant than ever. Poland’s example showed that integration into global value chains is not just an option, but a necessity for escaping the middle-income trap. Panelists underscored that middle powers are increasingly learning from each other, using platforms like the OECD - OCDE to share insights and align strategies.

From Asia to Latin America, these nations are forming new coalitions and acting as bridges between the Global North and South. Yet, one critical question lingered: Can their efforts be coordinated effectively to shape a fracturing world order?

👉 Bridging divides – Middle powers as key players in a new, interest-driven multilateralism
👉 Overcoming stagnation – Escaping the middle-income trap through innovation and global integration
👉 From fragmentation to action – Turning regional initiatives into global impact

The mood was urgent and reflective. Panelists stressed that middle powers are no longer passive observers - they are active architects of a new global order, connecting regions and redefining the rules of the game.

As leaders gather in Evian, the message is clear: The future of global cooperation depends on how well we harness the potential of middle powers.

What’s the most urgent step for middle powers to turn their momentum into real influence? Share your thoughts below.

📸Photo credits: Bernhard Ludewig

Prof. Bambang Brodjonegoro, Ph.D Anastasia Nesvetailova Andreas Schaal Joanna Tyrowicz Marc Uzan

Session curated in partnership with Asian Development Bank Institute

10/06/2026

–China Relations: From Friction to Functional Stability 🤝

The session "The China–EU Economic Relations: Ensuring Continuity in a Challenging Landscape" - held in partnership with the Center for China and Globalization as part of - took place as a closed-door discussion.

EU–China relations are at a crossroads. Current dialogues fall short of addressing growing complexity, and multilateral rules are under strain. Yet, businesses adapt pragmatically - localization works for multinationals, but SMEs struggle.

The path forward requires realism, clarity, and cooperation. Clear definitions of "national security" vs. "economic resilience" can rebuild trust. People-to-people dialogue and industry-specific solutions may open new avenues. Reforming the WTO from within is key - alternatives won’t work.

Long-term thinking is crucial. The EU must be pragmatic in attracting investment, while Chinese companies in Europe should align with local rules. Stronger communication and targeted cooperation can shift the relationship from friction to stability.

The session’s atmosphere was marked by rare candour. A shared understanding emerged: Multilateralism is changing. Neither side wants instability or decoupling. Europe must acknowledge China’s innovation leadership in areas like battery tech, while China balances internal diversity with reform.

💡One surprising insight: China‘s and Europe‘s economic systems may be more similar than generally assumed. The challenge? We interact a lot - but don’t know each other well enough.

Special thanks to Rémy Weber, Senior Program Manager at GSI, who, together with CCG, planned and implemented this panel.

📸Photo credits: Bernhard Ludewig

Joe Kaeser Agnes Eschment Dr. Sebastian Schwark Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang王辉耀 Gerhard Stahl Dharmendra Kanani

09/06/2026

Session Recap: The Hidden Workforce of AI

The session "The Hidden Workforce of AI" - part of - made one thing clear: behind every are people - often invisible, precariously employed, and mostly in the . While the debate revolves around productivity, the working conditions of data labelers and content moderators - the very people who make AI possible - are overlooked.

The diagnosis was straightforward: subcontracting chains, geographic distance, and a lack of regulation systematically render this work invisible. Yet AI is already systemically relevant and will soon impact every job.

Three demands emerged:
Transparency through data, mandatory disclosure of working conditions across the entire value chain, and societal recognition and qualification for data work.

❓ One question remained unanswered: who represents the interests of workers in countries without labor protections? As Julia Kloiber put it: "The power asymmetry is insane. Data workers need a counter-power."

The mood was factual but urgent - the time to act for fair AI labor is now.

Ana Dujić Mark Graham Dr. Milagros Miceli Nicole Manger Vidisha Mishra Mateo Rodriguez
Session curated in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

04/06/2026

: Finding Common Ground in a Fractured World

The 10th Global Solutions Summit in Berlin brought together leaders, thinkers, and practitioners from government, business, academia, and civil society to address one of the defining questions of our time: How do we find common ground in a fractured world?

❗ The answer was clear: The will to connect local action with global architecture is alive. As one speaker put it: "There is still a lot of optimism, there is this momentum, and we mustn’t let that slip away now." Over two immersive days, 105 speakers from around the world tested their ideas across 36 sessions—from Forum plenaries to Deep Dives. The discussions showed that cooperation is not just possible, but necessary, even if the fracture lines run differently than we often assume.

What emerged was a shared understanding: Reforming multilateral structures depends on all sectors bringing forward actionable ideas—and policymakers providing concrete pathways to implement them.

🙏 Thank you for being part of this vital conversation. Your engagement made what it was.

Relive the moments in our photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=157679884%40N06&text=global+solutions+summit&album_search=1&view_all=1

02/06/2026

From former Chancellor Olaf Scholz to an energetic vocal moment, Marie-Florence Mahwera takes you on a second journey through Day 2 of the Global Solutions Summit ( ). Today’s sessions prove that coalitions that work are beginning to take shape.

The program dove deeper into the Summit’s core question: How do we turn dialogue into actionable coalitions? From reimagining multilateralism to reshaping global trade, the discussions were candid, constructive and charged with cautious optimism.

The shift is clear, away from rigid, rules-based systems toward adaptive, interest-driven coalitions. The and can play complementary roles, but the real challenge remains translating ideas into actionable pathways.
Another point of discussion is that money alone won’t drive the green transition. Skilled workers, shared standards and systemic integration are the missing links. Integration isn’t optional—it’s a necessity.

The takeaway? The energy is there. The ideas are there. Now, it’s about turning momentum into movement.

Stay tuned by following our LinkedIn channel or sign up for the newsletter: https://global-solutions-initiative.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f254a1b4d7e5c0093ed2d8671&id=4f4e08bb85

02/06/2026

🌍 Day 2 at Hashtag – Time to get things done!
Yesterday at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, one thing was clear: We’re building solutions. Today, we dive deeper.

What’s happening?
✅ Geopolitics in focus – EU-China trade, digital cooperation, and beyond
✅ Climate policy reimagined – Why carbon pricing needs a boost
✅ Critical minerals & Africa’s role – From extraction to real partnership
✅ Trust, truth, democracy – Fighting polarization with facts
✅ Closing thoughts – Lessons learned, next steps ahead

The day kicks off at 8:45 AM with welcome remarks by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, followed by deep dives on AI, sustainable finance, and health innovation, wrapping up at 2:50 PM with key takeaways.

🚀 Last chance to join!
Want to meet global leaders in person? There’s still time—register now and be part of the conversation.
👉 Secure your spot: https://global-solutions-summit.org/events/df9f3c5bda (code: 2fsa26-06-d2k3)

01/06/2026

The Global Solutions Summit 2026 ( ) creates spaces for frank conversations that rebuild trust and lay the foundations for a new multilateralism. We bring the world’s most urgent crises to the forefront of the international agenda, because trust in global cooperation is not simply given – it must be earned through results.

❗ Day 1 brought inspiring openings, a powerful keynote, and deep dives into the issues that matter. Here, we turn dialogue into action—because the time for empty words is over.
🎦 Experience the atmosphere and themes of opening day: Marie-Florence Mahwera takes you on a journey through the day.

Join us tomorrow, when former Chancellor Olaf Scholz will open Day 2 with a keynote. Only a few spots left! Register now at https://global-solutions-summit.org/events/df9f3c5bda (code 2fsa26-06-d2k3)

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