Fair Taxes and Safe Pensions -
A Global Standard

The panel "Fair Taxes and Safe Pensions – A Global Standard" featured leading experts including Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights; Kilolo Kijakazi, Former Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration; and Dragoș Pîslaru, Romanian economist and Former Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. The discussion focused on the urgent need for equitable taxation systems to secure sustainable pension schemes worldwide. The panelists agreed that fair taxation is fundamental to funding social security without increasing inequality or placing undue burden on specific groups. They highlighted the increasing strain on pension systems caused by ageing populations, economic instability, and underfunded schemes, stressing the need for reforms that ensure both intergenerational fairness and long-term viability.

The speakers emphasised the importance of global cooperation to establish common standards for pension security, suggesting that shared best practices could help build fairer and more transparent systems across borders. A key concern raised was the role of corporations, with panellists criticising tax avoidance and calling for greater corporate accountability to prevent erosion of public welfare funding. They argued that tax justice is essential to ensuring robust pension systems and highlighted the need for stricter international regulation. Finally, the panel explored how governments can balance economic growth with strong social protections, advocating for policies that promote both investment and social equity, without sacrificing the financial stability of pension frameworks.

The Next Agricultural Revolution: Toward a food system that is good for people & the planet

“The Next Agricultural Revolution: Toward a food system that is good for people & the planet”, featured leading experts including, Martin Frick, World Food Programme Global Office in Berlin; Johan Swinnen, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Heidi Kühn, Founder of “Root of Peace”, author, 2023 World Food Prize Laureate; Melissa Robledo, Director and Co-producer of Food Inc and Food Inc2; Alice Ravenscroft, Head of Policy at The Good Food Institute Europe; Julius Straus, Venture Capital investor at FoodLabs; and Roger Harrabin, energy and environment analyst and a former BBC correspondent.

The discussion opened with Johan Swinnen reflecting on the historic progress in reducing hunger from 1975 to 2015, now threatened by environmental degradation, productivity decline, and policy fragmentation. Martin Frick added that acute food insecurity is rising sharply due to conflict, economic instability, and climate change, especially in vulnerable regions. Heidi Kühn advocated for peace through agriculture, sharing success stories of turning minefields into orchards in war-torn areas. Melissa Robledo highlighted the risks of corporate consolidation in the food sector and called for stronger consumer protections and antitrust laws. Alice Ravenscroft underscored the inefficiency and climate impact of animal agriculture, advocating for public investment in alternative proteins. Finally, Julius Straus discussed the promise of food tech innovations like gene editing and regenerative practices, stressing the need for venture capital to support transformative solutions. Panelists agreed that cross-sector collaboration, policy reform, and innovation are essential to tackling the converging food, climate, and equity crises.

A Global Job Agency for Remote Work - the End of Unemployment?

The panel, “A Global Job Agency for Remote Work - the End of Unemployment?” featured Dragoș Pîslaru, Romanian economist and former Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs; Nadia Harris, founder of Remote Work; and Ulrich Weinberg, President of the Global Design Thinking Alliance.

Dragoș Pîslaru opened the discussion by highlighting the rapid expansion of remote work, and categorised remote work into domestic, cross-border, and digital nomadism, outlining challenges such as outdated regulations, wage disparities, and skills mismatches. Nadia Harris criticised the rigidity of labour laws rooted in the industrial era, arguing they are ill-suited for today’s globalised digital workforce. Ulrich Weinberg emphasised the importance of updating employment classifications and regulatory frameworks to support freelancers and the gig economy, and suggested design thinking could guide innovation in this space. The conversation concluded with a call for a global workforce infrastructure. Pîslaru proposed a global job agency to promote labour mobility, economic equity, and standardised protections - while cautioning against wage suppression and digital inequality.

World Economic Crises Cost Lives - How to Control National Debts and Stability of Banks?

The panel discussion, “World Economic Crises Cost Lives - How to Control National Debts and Stability of Banks?”, featuring Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek Finance Minister and economist; Ali Babacan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and architect of Turkey’s post-crisis economic reforms; and Georja Calvin-Smith, an international television news presenter, and producer, centred on the sustainability of public debt, fiscal responsibility, and the future of global financial institutions. Varoufakis challenged conventional notions of public finance, arguing there is no fixed “safe” debt-to-income ratio for governments. He condemned austerity as counterproductive, especially without coordinated international trade support, and instead called for a focus on long-term debt sustainability. Babacan complemented this by sharing Turkey’s post-2001 success story, achieved through disciplined fiscal management, transparency, and investment-led growth - policies that helped insulate Turkey from the 2008 global crisis.

Varoufakis criticised Western central banks for fuelling inequality and asset inflation by bailing out bankers rather than productive sectors. He linked this to Europe’s economic stagnation and deindustrialisation, particularly in Germany, arguing that quantitative easing combined with austerity stifled innovation. Turning to global governance, Varoufakis accused the IMF of worsening crises in countries like Greece and South Korea, calling instead for a reimagining of global financial architecture that could counterbalance rising blocs led by China. Both speakers warned against a shift toward “military Keynesianism” in Europe, with Varoufakis particularly concerned that prioritising defence over digital, green, and social investment would render Europe economically and technologically obsolete.

Green Jobs and Breakthrough Technologies

The panel “Green Jobs and Breakthrough Technologies” featured Golestan Sally Radwan, UNEP’s Chief Digital Officer; Rainer Baake, Managing director at Climate Neutrality Foundation; Hans-Josef Fell, Member of the German Green Party, initiator of the Renewable Energy Act; Rushad Nanavaltty, Director of Third Derivative at RMI; Roger Harrabin, energy and environment analyst and a former BBC correspondent. The panel emphasized the critical need to achieve climate neutrality by mid-century to prevent dangerous climate change. The discussion pointed out the significant challenges in transitioning to a green economy, including job displacement, political resistance, and public resentment. The panelists explored strategies to manage these challenges, such as retraining workers and improving public communication on the benefits of renewable energy.

Panelists stressed the importance of international cooperation in establishing effective climate policies and technological standards. They discussed how best practices from different countries could be adapted globally to ensure a faster and more efficient transition to renewable energy. A key focus was the potential and risks associated with digital technologies, particularly AI. While AI holds great promise for optimizing energy use and materials discovery, its environmental footprint and resource intensity must be carefully managed. The panelists explored strategies for balancing economic growth with environmental goals. Ensuring that digital transformation strategies integrate sustainability and that technological advancements support climate neutrality was a key discussion point. The need for new business models that prioritize resource efficiency and circularity was also highlighted.

Africa’s Governance and Development: The Role of Foreign Aid and China’s Influence

This panel, Africa’s Governance and Development: Foreign Aid and China’s Influence, examined Africa’s evolving governance landscape, the impact of foreign aid, and China’s growing influence on the continent. It featured Ambassador David Shinn, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia; Walter Mzembi, Former Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism; Clint Borgen, Founder and President of The Borgen Project; Grace Reinhardt, Representative of For Africa Deutschland; Mark Donfried, founder and director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. Discussions centered on the effectiveness of aid in fostering sustainable development, the risks of debt dependency, and the political dynamics shaping Africa’s relationships with global powers.

Former U.S. Ambassador David Shinn highlighted the historical role of the United States as Africa’s largest grant aid provider, but warned that recent U.S. aid cuts have created a vacuum now being filled by others, notably China. Clint Borgen framed aid as a long-term investment with mutual benefits, while Grace Reinhardt called for a bottom-up, community-driven approach to aid distribution, moving beyond state-level negotiations. The discussion contrasted China’s no-strings-attached aid model with the West’s conditional approach, often tied to governance and human rights reforms. Walter Mzembi noted that many African governments prefer China’s pragmatic, infrastructure-focused funding, even if it risks long-term dependency. Mzembi also advocated for greater African unity, similar to the EU, to enhance global bargaining power.

The panel concluded with a call for stronger governance, inclusion of local voices in aid decisions, and the strategic engagement of the African diaspora. Amid rising geopolitical competition, the speakers agreed that Africa is not choosing sides, but actively leveraging its partnerships to maximise agency and development outcomes.