The EU’s Global Role: Eight Policy Proposals for the New Leadership Team

The challenges facing the EU are complex—they range from addressing war and humanitarian crises on the EU’s doorstep, to financing a green and just transition, combatting labour shortages  and even ensuring its industries remain competitive. But within all these challenges, there lie opportunities to strengthen Europe's role as a leader on the world stage. 

Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership team needs new ideas if she is to rebuild relationships with partners in the Global South, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trust lost through perception of the EU as protectionist and inward looking. Her vision is to “address Africa’s concerns, from the reform of international institutions to the impact of climate change, demography and migration on our continents.”  But other than investment via the EU’s Global Gateway—largely energy and infrastructure—there are few details on how the Commission President and her team will “create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships”. To inspire action on global health, finance, migration, and climate, CGD experts have published a series of proposals to inform the Commissioner-designates' priorities and work plans, summarised in this blog. 

Better financing for development and climate action

In the face of global challenges including climate change, a debt crisis that is engulfing many countries in the Global South, combined with constrained budgets in the EU and its member states, the new EU Commission must modernise its financial toolkit by providing tailored, concessional finance packages. By strategically deploying concessional finance and complementing the use of grants with new concessional loans in partner countries with more positive macroeconomic outlooks, the EU can ensure its finance generates maximum impact, and in doing so, build better strategic partnerships. In addition, by optimizing climate finance delivery through grants, concessional loans, and blended finance, the EU can amplify both its development and climate goals. Improved transparency and a clear focus on vulnerable countries will further strengthen the EU's global leadership in climate action.

Under Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership, the EU must also ensure that its quest for climate leadership doesn’t undermine its development actions and its partnership with low-income countries. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could be improved by directing its revenues towards supporting climate-related loss and damage in developing countries. Also, the Commission should work towards adjusting policies to include a longer transition period for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to support them in meeting carbon reduction targets, thereby balancing development policies with global climate justice goals.

Preparing for the next pandemic

Diversifying the manufacturing of health products is another area where Ursula von der Leyen’s team can make a significant global impact. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly for health-related goods. Supporting partners in establishing diverse and resilient health manufacturing in Africa and beyond can safeguard partner countries from future crises and enable the world to respond to the next pandemic faster and better. Ensuring a diversified and localised manufacturing strategy would not only protect European interests but also position the EU as a global leader in health security.

Combatting antimicrobial resistance and ending lead poisoning: in the EU and beyond

The incoming EU Commission needs to address two global public health challenges: lead poisoning and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR, responsible for over 1.25 million deaths annually, requires coordinated global action to address issues of access, stewardship, and innovation. The EU should create a Sustainable Access Hub to ensure equitable antimicrobial access and incentivise new drug development. Simultaneously, the EU must combat lead poisoning, a hidden epidemic affecting millions globally, particularly children. Particularly in low-income regions, the EU could provide funding to prevent and treat exposure, safeguarding both health and the environment. Immediate, collective EU leadership is critical for both crises and aligns with von der Leyen’s first 100-day priority of addressing health inequalities. The EU could make a considerable difference by fostering partnerships and step up to be the leading force in mitigating these global health risks. 

Migration models for mutually beneficial partnerships

Finally, migration is one of the most pressing socio-political issues the EU faces today, threatening to undermine the bloc’s social and political cohesion. But the EU can turn this challenge into an opportunity by forging "win-win" migration partnerships, especially in the context of an aging workforce. Europe's demographic decline threatens its long-term economic growth, but smart, managed migration policies could alleviate this pressure. In line with Ursula von der Leyen’s key aim of increasing the continent’s competitiveness and securing innovation, labour market migration could provide the skilled labour necessary to fuel European industries and services, ensuring that Europe remains competitive in the global market. At the same time, this model would allow the EU to establish mutually beneficial partnerships by investing in countries of origin’s development and training its workers, without a “brain-drain”.

Reconciling interests with values: The EU’s Leadership in a geopolitical environment

At this critical juncture, the EU has a choice to make—does it wish to transform its international influence?  By adopting forward-looking policies across health, finance, migration, and climate, the EU can do so while addressing the very issues that threaten its future. As Ursula von der Leyen has made clear, a competitive, resilient, and green Europe is the goal—but realising that vision needs immediate, coordinated action across all fronts. It also requires for the bloc to stay true to its core values, despite populist pressures from within and outside, and for the EU to face inconsistencies in its foreign policy and addressing unfulfilled commitments of the past. Positioned as a "third node of power" between the US and China, the EU can leverage its unique strengths to navigate today's geopolitical landscape and emerge as a stronger global leader.