Policy Events (Feb 15 - Feb 21)
Climate policy, the Russia-Turkey dynamic, the role of war, Canada-US ties and India-UK relations are among the topics being discussed at think tank events next week.
Each week Policy People puts together a list of think tank events from around the globe. Below is our list for February 15 to February 21. There are events which look at the diplomatic and financial aspects of climate policy as well as several events looking at bilateral relations between players like India, Turkey, Russia, Canada, the US and the UK. There is an interesting talk about a book that delves into the role of war and an in-person event being held in Canberra.
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In-person event
THE LOWY INSTITUTE - Monday, February 15 @ 6:15pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11)
The year ahead (Canberra)
This panel discussion will cover the key issues likely to dominate Australia’s international agenda in 2021, including relations with China and America, the COVID and climate-change agenda, and how the new US administration will approach the region. This popular event has been held annually in Sydney and Melbourne, and comes to Canberra for the first time this year.
For more information and registration: https://myaccount.lowyinstitute.org/events/2021-the-year-ahead-cbr
Virtual event
OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION - Tuesday, February 16 @ 3:30pm India Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Green transitions: Catalysing India-EU relations for a green future
India and the EU are strongly committed to climate action and green transitions. Both being parties to the Paris Agreement — they are working towards actionable policies on green finance, carbon neutrality and clean energy. How will India and the EU lead multilateral efforts and become role models for others to support green transitions? Join this ORF event, held in partnership with the Portuguese Embassy in India, to discover how India and the EU can work together to realise the future of a greener world.
For more information and registration: https://www.orfonline.org/research/green-transitions-catalysing-india-eu-relations/
Virtual event
INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE FINANCE CENTRE - Tuesday, February 16 @ 9am Central European Time (UTC+1)
COP26: What climate ambition means for the future of finance
What will the COP26 conference mean for the future of finance, and what impact sustainability principles may have for the financial sector? There are a myriad of opportunities for improved profitability and resilience that arise from alignment with Paris Agreement goals. A range of industry experts will explain the reasoning behind their decision to commit to greater climate action, and look at why 2021 will be an important year for both the financial sector and for the global climate discussion. Join this ISFC event, held in partnership with the British Embassy Prague, to explore the actions financial institutions may undertake to ensure alignment with climate goals.
For more information and registration: https://www.isfc.org/events
Book Talk
FOREIGN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Tuesday, February 16 @ 2pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
War: How Conflict Shaped Us
War has shaped humanity’s history, its social and political institutions, its values and ideas. Our very language, our public spaces, our private memories, and some of our greatest cultural treasures reflect the glory and the misery of war. When did war first start? Does human nature doom us to fight one another? Why has war been described as the most organized of all human activities? Is war ever within our control? Join us in conversation with Margaret MacMillan, author of the recent War: How Conflict Shaped Us, as she answers these and your own questions.
For more information and registration: https://www.fpri.org/event/2021/war-how-conflict-shaped-us/
Webcast
HENRY JACKSON SOCIETY - Tuesday, February 16 @ 3pm Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0)
Putin versus Navalny: How Should the UK Respond?
Last month, Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation released a video exposing Putin’s $1 billion palace that reached 85 million views in six days and sparked protests across Russia. Many in the West, especially the UK, focus solely on Navalny as a political prisoner while conveniently ignoring his role as an anti-corruption crusader. After all, London is the favoured haunt of many of the corrupt Russian elites he is exposing. Russia’s kleptocrats launder their money in the UK with the help of professionals who facilitate it here and thanks to the hesitancy in parts of government to prevent it. This sends the message that the UK’s concern is not for Navalny or ordinary Russians but purely for profit. How can the UK resolve this dissonance and demonstrate that it stands against corruption and for transparency, democracy, and rule of law? To answer this question, we are joined by the Executive Director of Anti-Corruption Fund Vladimir Ashurkov, who will talk on what the UK government – and the West more broadly – should and can be doing to support Navalny’s cause.
For more information and registration: https://henryjacksonsociety.org/event/putin-versus-navalny-uk-respond/
Webinar
MACDONALD-LAURIER INSTITUTE - Tuesday, February 16 @ 11am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Building Across Borders: Energy Infrastructure, The Environment and Canada-US Relations in the Biden Era
With the anticipated changes to US policy on energy and the environment by the new Biden administration, including the revocation of the presidential permit for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline expansion, it's clear that these will be among the top bilateral issues for Canada with the Biden White House. What does this mean for other proposed energy infrastructure projects such as Line 5, Line 3 and the Alberta 2 Alaska railway? What should the key priorities for Canada be on energy, trade and climate change? And how can Canada work to strengthen Canada-US relations while advancing its own interests? Join a panel of renowned experts to explore both the challenges and opportunities for Canada as it engages on these issues with the new administration.
For more information and registration: https://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/event/building-across-borders-energy-infrastructure-environment-canada-us-relations-biden-era/
Webinar
HENRY JACKSON SOCIETY - Wednesday, February 16 @ 11am Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0)
India: A Partner for Global Britain?
India will soon have the largest population in the world, and in ten years is predicted to have the third-largest economy and defence budget. It is no wonder that Prime Minister Johnson was keen to visit New Delhi for the country’s national day last month. COVID-19 has not put a break on the UK’s post-Brexit ambitions. The government’s vision for a “Global Britain” is about more than economics, with the forthcoming Integrated Review edging the UK towards the Indo-Pacific while talk from Downing Street focuses on expanding the G7 into a broader alliance of democracies. In part both initiatives are a response to growing concerns about an increasingly assertive China and that New Delhi appears to be an ideal partner for Britain in the years ahead. But is this really the case? Questions have been raised about tensions over human rights, the baggage of Britain’s colonial rule, and New Delhi’s relative indifference. Factors which could frustrate attempts to strength this relationship. We invite you to this timely discussion on UK-India ties which will cover both the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between both countries.
For more information and registration: https://henryjacksonsociety.org/event/india-a-partner-for-global-britain/
Webinar
BRUEGEL - Thursday, February 17 @ 5pm Central European Time (UTC+1)
Prospects for the US Climate Policy under the Biden Administration
During the presidential campaign, Biden unveiled an ambitious climate agenda, promising to put the US on an irreversible path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 while creating millions of well-paying jobs. His plan includes proposals for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035, USD 2 trillion in green investments over four years, and a pledge to devote 40 percent of these investments to disadvantaged communities. Given the relevance of such developments for global decarbonization efforts, with this event Bruegel aims at stimulating a discussion on how US climate policy is likely to evolve under the Biden administration, and on which international impacts can be expected.
For more information and registration: https://www.bruegel.org/events/prospects-for-the-us-climate-policy-under-the-biden-administration/
Webinar
Webinar
BRUEGEL - Friday, February 18 @ 2pm Central European Time (UTC+1)
Money Laundering and Hybrid Threats: Has COVID-19 made it all worse?
Money laundering is a permanent threat to the financial system, and the EU has actively worked at developing its prevention mechanisms. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact may have made it an even bigger problem and enabled its use as part of hybrid approached. Many countries, including EU member states, are currently struggling and looking for outside money to shore up their economies. Will the EU and its member states be ready to control this risk – even if competition for financial inflows intensifies?
For more information and registration: https://www.bruegel.org/events/money-laundering-and-hybrid-threats-has-covid-19-made-it-all-worse/
Webinar
WILSON CENTER - Thursday, February 18 @ 10am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Turkish-Russian Relations
Relations between Turkey and its Western allies have encountered recent challenges as Ankara's relations with Moscow warmed significantly after the downing of a Russian jet over Turkish airspace in 2015. Since then, Turkey has purchased the Russian S400 missile defense system, despite NATO opposition, and has grown its trade and energy ties with Russia with projects like the TurkStream Natural Gas Pipeline and the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. But Ankara and Moscow have backed opposite sides in the conflicts in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh. What key factors shape this complex relationship, and where is it headed? Join Habibe Ozdal of Istanbul Okan University and Kennan Institute Director Matthew Rojansky, with Chair of the Middle East Program Ambassador James Jeffrey for a conversation on the future of Turkish-Russian relations.
For more information and registration: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/global-perspectives-turkish-russian-relations
Webinar
CLINGENDAEL INSTITUTE - Thursday, February 18 @ 1:30pm Central European Time (UTC+1)
Dealing with China on High-Tech Issues
In recent years, the debate about ‘strategic and technological autonomy’ has gained increasing traction in Europe. But is this a protectionist turn to ‘Europe first’, or is it designed to strengthen Europe’s defensive toolkit and promote more coordinated and forceful action between EU Member States? What do EU Member States aim for, and how do like-minded partner countries evaluate Europe’s efforts so far? Join us to discuss how China may influence Europe’s quest for technological sovereignty.
For more information and registration: https://www.clingendael.org/event/webinar-2-dealing-china-high-tech-issues
Webinar
ISEAS YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE - Friday, February 19 @ 9am Singapore Time (UTC+8)
China’s COVID Vaccine Diplomacy and Its Implications for Southeast Asia
In this webinar, Yanzhong Huang will examine China’s employment of COVID vaccines as a tool of diplomacy. Chinese leaders have promised to make the vaccines a global public good and give developing countries priority access once they become available. What are the main drivers of China’s vaccine diplomacy? To what extent is Beijing’s approach different from that of other major powers? How successful is it? And what does it mean for Southeast Asia in terms of the vaccine access and its relationship with China? Join us in this webinar to discuss these questions and more.
For more information and registration: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/chinas-covid-vaccine-diplomacy-and-its-implications-for-southeast-asia/
That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check in next week for more updates.
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Stay well and stay safe,
- Liam
Founder of Policy People