As December unfolds, join host Sewar Quran, Associate Director at Global Counsel, along with colleagues, for a deep dive into three critical developments that are influencing global policy this month: Abu Dhabi Finance Week, the EU Summit, and the ongoing diplomatic dynamics between the US, Russia, Ukraine, and Europe.

First, Sewar is joined by Aliyah Dar, MENA Advisor on Financial Services, to explore Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The conversation highlights the significance of the event as a global platform for financial discussions, networking, and investment opportunities. They discuss how Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a central hub for global financial growth, innovation, and sustainable finance, alongside a focus on AI’s role in shaping the future of finance in the MENA region. Learn more about our MENA practice. 

Next, Gosia Szczodrowska, Associate Director for Technology media & telecoms, provides insights from the EU Summit. Their conversation delves into the shifts in Europe’s economic model in response to global challenges such as energy prices, productivity stagnation, and geopolitical tensions. They discuss the importance of strategic investments in critical raw materials, defense capabilities, and technological innovation to enhance Europe’s resilience and future competitiveness. Learn more about our Technology, media & telecoms practice.

Finally, Denzil Davidson, Director, reflects on the intense diplomatic activity surrounding the US, Russia, Ukraine, and Europe. The conversation explores the key issues at stake for Ukraine and Russia, the impact of the US's new National Security Strategy, and the diplomatic maneuvering in Washington, Moscow, and European capitals. They discuss what the next month might reveal about the evolving dynamics of the war, its potential for escalation or resolution, and the role of transatlantic security moving forward. Learn more about our Europe politics and policy practice. 

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As we look ahead to November, host Sewar Quran, Associate Director at Global Counsel, is joined by colleagues to unpack three major developments shaping the global policy agenda: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, and a shifting debate on European defence and transatlantic security.

First, Sewar is joined by Alexander Smotrov, Director, to discuss the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Their conversation explores rising geopolitical tensions between the US and South Africa, Washington’s accusations of anti-Americanism, and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strong rebuttal. They consider what the episode reveals about diplomacy in an era of fragmented power and competing global agendas, and how it tests the limits of cooperation among the world’s major economies. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

Next, Evan Guy, Senior Associate, joins to examine preparations for COP30 in Brazil, a pivotal moment in global climate politics marking five years to 2030. They explore the evolving geopolitics of climate action post-COP29, the renewed focus on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and efforts to agree a roadmap for climate finance through the new collective quantified goal (NCQG). The discussion also touches on biodiversity, nature conservation, and the growing intersection between environmental policy and international development. Learn more about our Climate, Energy and Net-Zero practice.

Finally, Denzil Davidson, Director, reflects on Europe’s emerging defence debate amid shifting transatlantic dynamics and questions about the US security guarantee under President Trump. Their discussion considers Europe’s need to enhance its own capabilities, reassess its dependence on American support, and chart a more autonomous strategic path for the decade ahead.

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As we look ahead to October, host Sewar Quran, Associate Director at Global Counsel, is joined by colleagues to unpack three major developments shaping international policy and investment this month: the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Washington DC, presidential elections in Ivory Coast, and the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh.

First, Sewar is joined by Max Mandich, Senior Associate in our Washington office, to explore the agenda of the upcoming IMF and World Bank week. They discuss the key differences from the spring meetings, the Trump administration’s evolving policy agenda, and the international opportunities the meetings create for stakeholders engaging with finance ministers, central banks, and policymakers. Learn more about our US politics and policy practice.

Next, Alessandra Cassisi, Associate in our Brussels office, joins Sewar to examine the Ivory Coast’s October 25th presidential elections. Their discussion considers the political dynamics surrounding President Ouattara’s candidacy, the challenges facing the opposition, the risks of instability, and the economic opportunities and pressures shaping investor sentiment. Learn more about our work in the Middle East and North Africa.

Finally, Sewar speaks with Ahmed Helal, MENA Director, about the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, widely known as “Davos in the desert.” The conversation highlights Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification drive, the growing global role of the Public Investment Fund, ambitions in AI and advanced technology, and the geopolitical context influencing investment sentiment. Learn more about our work in the Middle East and North Africa.

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As we look ahead to September, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues to unpack three key developments shaping international policy and geopolitics this month: the UK’s political party conferences, the 2025 UN General Assembly in New York, and Moldova’s pivotal parliamentary elections.

First, Sewar is joined by Lilah Howson-Smith, Practice Director, and Fergus Cameron-Watt, Associate Director, to explore the dynamics shaping the UK’s political party conferences this autumn. They discuss the growing influence of the Reform Party, the Conservative Party’s policy renewal efforts, and Labour’s strategy as it seeks to present a unified vision for government. Learn more about our work in UK politics and policy.

Next, Alexander Smotrov, Director, joins Sewar to preview the 2025 UN General Assembly in New York, where world leaders will gather under the theme “Better Together” to discuss peace, development, and the future of multilateralism. The conversation examines the significance of this year’s high-level debates, the rising importance of corporate engagement at UNGA, and how businesses can leverage fringe events and networking opportunities to advance their agendas in an increasingly interconnected global policy environment. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

Finally, Anikó Zsebik, Associate, speaks with Sewar about Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections, a vote set to shape the country’s geopolitical trajectory and EU membership prospects. They explore the challenges facing the pro-European government, the economic pressures driving voter sentiment, and the risks of foreign influence on election integrity. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

If you, your business, or your investment is impacted by any of the topics discussed in this episode, get in touch.

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As we look ahead to July, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues to unpack three major developments shaping international policy and geopolitics: the BRICS Summit in Brazil, the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, and the US tariff overhaul ahead of the critical July 9th deadline.

First, Sewar is joined by Alexander Smotrov, Director, to preview the BRICS Summit taking place in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7. They explore how the expanded bloc is navigating internal divisions, geopolitical tensions, and growing expectations for Global-South leadership, as well as Brazil’s role in shaping a unified BRICS agenda. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

Next, Russell Lamb, Senior Associate, joins Sewar to discuss the AI for Good Global Summit, which will be held in Geneva from July 8–11. They reflect on the summit’s evolution into a major platform for AI governance, public engagement, and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about our work on tech, media and telecoms.

Finally, Helen Kennett, Director, speaks with Sewar about the sweeping US trade policy changes ahead of the July 9th deadline for tariff negotiations. They unpack the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, EU-US tensions, and Section 232 investigations, unpacking how businesses and investors should prepare for shifting rules, retaliatory measures, and evolving national security concerns in trade. Learn more about our work on US politics and policy.

If you, your business or your investment is impacted by any of the topics discussed in this episode, get in touch with the Global Counsel team.

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As we look ahead to June, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues to unpack three major developments shaping global politics: the G7 and NATO Summits, President Trump’s Gulf tour, and the UK-EU joint summit.

First, Sewar is joined by Denzil Davidson, Director, to preview the G7 and NATO Summits. They discuss the growing influence of President Trump on transatlantic alliances, challenges surrounding Ukraine and defence spending, and why Canada’s hosting is symbolically significant. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

Next, Ahmed Helal, MENA Director, joins Sewar to break down President Trump’s Gulf tour and its far-reaching implications. They explore the landmark economic agreements on defence, aviation and AI chips that came out of Trump's visit. They also dive into how these agreements, along with shifting regional dynamics around Syria and Iran, are shaping the future of GCC-US policy. Learn more about our work in MENA.

Finally, Lilah Howson-Smith, Practice Director, speaks with Sewar about the latest UK-EU summit and what it means for energy cooperation. They also explore emerging frameworks for emissions trading, electricity market integration, and how both sides are recalibrating their climate ambitions in light of net zero targets. Learn more about our work on climate, energy and net zero.

If you, your business or your investment is impacted by any of the topics discussed in this episode, get in touch with the Global Counsel team.

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As we look ahead to May, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues from across the globe to unpack Romania and Poland’s presidential elections, the Qatar Economic Forum, and the 2025 ASEAN summit.

First, Sewar is joined by Anikó Zsebik, Associate Director, to discuss the upcoming presidential elections in Romania and Poland. They explore the significance of these contests against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and the war in Ukraine. Anikó outlines key candidates, public sentiment, and how the results could reshape foreign investment and regional influence. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia.

Next, Sewar speaks with Ahmed Helal, MENA Director, to discuss the Qatar Economic Forum and the region’s growing influence in global financial and energy markets. They discuss how Gulf states are navigating US tariffs, regional economic shifts, and President Trump’s visit, as well as the forum’s broader themes around transformation and security cooperation. Learn more about our work in MENA.

To finish the episode, Andrew Yeo, Asia Director, joins Sewar to unpack the upcoming ASEAN Summit under Malaysia’s leadership. They examine Malaysia’s three core priorities: economic resilience, geopolitical balance, and internal reform, and discuss how ASEAN is approaching digital transformation, trade integration, and the complex dynamics of US-China relations. Learn more about our work in Asia.

If you, your business or your investment is affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode, get in touch with the Global Counsel team.

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As we look ahead to April, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues from across the globe to discuss the UK local elections, the IMF World Bank Spring Meetings taking, and the next phase of international defence coordination for Ukraine.

First, Sewar is joined by Max Mandich, Senior Associate in our US Financial Services practice, to preview the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings. They discuss how the meetings have evolved, the lasting influence of the Trump administration on global policy dialogue, and what corporate and public affairs professionals should watch out for in the week’s formal and informal engagements. Learn more about our work in US politics and policy.

Then, Sewar speaks with Scott Gilfillan, Associate Director in our UK Politics and Policy practice, about the upcoming local elections in England. They explore the structure and significance of local government, the implications for national sentiment, and how parties are positioning themselves in this first major electoral test for the Labour government. Find out more about our work in UK politics and policy.

To finish the episode, Robyn Staveley, Associate Director in our UK Politics and Policy practice, joins Sewar to examine the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting. They discuss the UK’s leadership role, the shift toward long-term sustainment of Ukraine’s defence capabilities, and how the geopolitical landscape is shaping NATO’s evolving relationship with Kyiv. Discover more about our work in UK Politics and Policy. 

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As we head into March, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices to discuss China’s Two Sessions, the UK Spring Statement, and the evolving European defence policy landscape.

Jiayu Li, Senior Associate in our Singapore office, explores China’s Two Sessions, where leaders will set the policy agenda for 2025. They cover the structure of the sessions, key agenda items, and the broader political implications, including the removal of traditional press conferences and the centralisation of power. Find out more about our work in Asia.

Sewar then sits down with Lilah Howson-Smith, Practice Director in our UK Politics and Policy practice, to unpack the UK Spring Statement. They examine the economic challenges facing the government, including inflation, growth projections, and potential tax and spending decisions. Find out more about our work in UK politics and policy.

Denzil Davidson, Director in our London office, joins the podcast to discuss the growing urgency for a coherent European defence policy amid Russia’s aggression and shifting US foreign policy. The discussion delves into the EU’s strategic autonomy in defence, the challenges posed by member states' differing priorities, and the evolving role of allies like Britain and Turkey in European security. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia politics and policy.

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In this special edition episode of the Global Month Ahead, host Isabelle Trick is joined by David Skilling, a Senior Adviser at Global Counsel and an expert on global economics and geopolitics. Isabelle and David delve into the global economic outlook for 2025, highlighting the diverging growth outlooks of different countries, with a deep dive into China. They discuss the challenges of inflation, the potential impact of tariffs, and the shift towards a wartime economy.

This Global Month Ahead special edition episode is part of Global Counsel's The Politics of 2025, our annual programme reviewing and debating the political and policy landscape in 2025, featuring insights from our expert team and leading external commentators.

Learn more about the programme

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