As the world's largest provider of development assistance, the EU (and its member states) are crucial to responding to the challenges that the world is currently facing. But the current seismic shift with large aid cuts among traditional donors is putting huge pressure on EU development cooperation. As the bloc faces down rising competition and shifting alliances, multiple security threats along its borders, and fiscal constraints—the EU’s role as global leader in development cooperation is going to have to change.
Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway (the EU’s flagship initiative on international partnerships, a EUR 300 billion infrastructure and connectivity plan) embodies a new direction for EU international development cooperation focused on strengthening its global influence through investments in infrastructure and sustainable development.
Join us for a fireside conversation with the newly appointed European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, to discuss his vision and priorities for EU’s international presence, including via the Global Gateway, and the importance of partnerships at this critical time.
Commissioner's Bio
Jozef Síkela was appointed European Commissioner for International Partnerships in December 2024. He is responsible for leading the EU’s efforts to build and strengthen partnerships with countries and scaling up the Global Gateway—the EU’s developments strategy supporting resilience, economic development and job creation in partner countries.
Before joining the European Commission, Jozef Síkela was the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade (2021–2024), where he led the EU’s response to the energy crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, contributing to fostering economic competitiveness during the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU. Prior to that, Jozef Síkela held senior positions in the European banking sector. He led the branches of the banking group Erste Group in Ukraine and Slovakia and served as a member of the Board of Directors.
