The Global Podcast

The Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) - comprising of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar - has become a hotspot for investment over the years. A recent report from the Milken Institute has uncovered not only the opportunities for investment, but also key actions that the GCC needs to take to make investment opportunities stronger both for governments and investors, leading to greater impact. We sit down with Dr Claude Lopez - Head of Research at the Milken Institute - to discuss more about the GCC, investment, and opportunities for greater social impact.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused not only social isolation and global panic but sudden rupture in global relations and business which can lead to long term damage. During this era of panic and fear, diplomacy is needed now more than ever by businesses and government in order to keep partnerships for social impact during this time of crisis.

Measuring impact has been the challenge for many social enterprises and NGOs when it comes to truly assess the real benefit of their work. But why is it a challenge? And why is it also such low priority for many organisations? We explore further the challenge and the reason why this overlooked aspect is more important than ever.

Replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were meant for all countries - developed and undeveloped - to achieve. But some countries are falling far behind and failing to really address it. On this episode, we speak to Dominic White, Co-Founder of UKSSD and Head of International Development Policy at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) -UK to discuss more on the UK perspective on tackling the SDGs and why they matter. 

Since 2011, Turkey has been heavily investing in the war-torn state of Somalia - from humanitarian aid to investing in local infrastructure. With slow progress in stability returning to the country and the recent awarding of potential oil field discovery off the coast of Mogadishu to Turkey, has Erdogan's investment and risk taking in Somalia paid off finally for Ankara? And more importantly, what can this mean for businesses and sustainable development in the African horn? On this episode we go over Turkey's involvement and the potential this brings to the country.

With the US and Iran tensions escalating following the assassination of Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani by the Trump Administration in Bagdad, rising worry over a potential conflict and heightened misunderstandings on both sides are leading many to question the future of stability in the region. Most importantly, what does this mean for businesses and sustainable development in the region? Bringing clarity to the tension, Sami Hamdi - Editor and Chief of The International Interest, joins us on The Global Podcast to bring both clarity and light to the tension and threats to businesses.

The Conservative party in the UK has won their biggest victory since 1987 this week, giving the blessing for Boris Johnson to pursue Brexit by the end of January 2020. Back in September, we spoke of what Brexit could mean for the UK and sustainable development. With the possibility of a hard Brexit now in the mix, we're republishing this episode to give greater food for thought for the British government.

The UN has released a report this week with very dire news - we're failing to meet the Paris Agreement Goals. The threats of climate change continues to loom but is there a chance that businesses can help pick up the slack from governments in saving the planet? We speak with climate activist Chiara Soletti on the recent UN report and updates during Climate Week this past September as well as food for thought for businesses to get on board.

Afghanistan election results are due this week and with the new president in place, comes the key question - what of the Afghan peace talks? And with the involvement of the Taliban as a major stakeholder in these discussions, how much is sustainable peace and development being compromised? We speak with Alex Thier, former ODI Executive Director and previous senior official with USAID working on Afghanistan to discuss more about the country, the peace talks and its future for sustainable development.

Lebanon has seen a slew of protests in early October since the government decided to inject a tax on WhatsApp services in the country, proving to be the straw that broke the camel's back. But the protests in the street are the symptom of long-term neglect from the Lebanese government to its people. On this episode, we uncover how this occurred and make the case for the need for government to invest in citizens.