EU's Global Gateway Initiative: Mobilising €300 Billion for Sustainable Development

The EU's ambitious Global Gateway initiative was the focus of the most recent of the Delegation's public diplomacy panels. Bringing together voices from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission (DG INTPA) and the private sector, the future of international development financing was explored and just how the EU's Global Gateway's €300 billion investment programme aims to reshape international development financing.

What is the Global Gateway? 
In 2021, the European Commission and the EU High Representative launched the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The remit was ambitious, that between 2021 and 2027, Team Europe would mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities. The goal was for EU’s partners to develop their societies and economies, but also create opportunities for the EU Member States’ private sector to invest and remain competitive, whilst ensuring the highest environmental and labour standards, as well as sound financial management.

We will support smart investments in quality infrastructure, respecting the highest social and environmental standards, in line with the EU’s values and standards. The Global Gateway strategy is a template for how Europe can build more resilient connections with the world.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

A New Approach to Development Finance
On June 12th, the Delegation, in collaboration with the Centre for European Reform (CER), brought together key stakeholders to discuss the strategic significance of Global Gateway as the aid funding landscape is rapidly evolving. 
 

EUD

Ambassador Pedro Serrano of the EU Delegation to the UK provided opening remarks, introducing the global reach of the work of the Global Gateway but also underlining the urgency required in strengthening infrastructure of partner countries.  

Seismic changes in aid funding
Held under Chatham House rules, the panel took a deep dive into what the future of development financing looks like. It was agreed that given the seismic changes in aid funding, seen in cuts being made to USAID for example, there was a pressing need to understand what Global Gateway means for international development.

EUD

The panel featured:

Richard Amor, Director of Partnerships for Impact at the EIB, shared perspectives on how multilateral development banks are adapting their approaches to align with Global Gateway objectives.

Elena Gordeeva, Director for Infrastructure at the EBRD's Sustainable Infrastructure Department, addressed the technical and financial challenges of delivering sustainable infrastructure at scale.

Julia Prescot, Co-founder of Meridiam, brought private sector insights into the discussion, highlighting the critical role of private finance in driving infrastructure investments under the initiative. Meridiam is a global investment and asset management firm specialised in developing, financing and managing long-term public infrastructure projects. 

Fiona Ramsey, Head of Unit for Effective Development Policy & Team Europe at the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG Intpa), provided the EU institutional perspective on policy coordination and implementation strategies.

EUD

The panel was chaired by Chiyo Robertson, moderator and former BBC correspondent, who guided the conversation through the complex intersection of public policy, private finance, and development outcomes.

European Delegation

💡 Curious to learn more about the ambitions of the EU's Global Gateway initiative and its implementation across different regions, visit the European Commission's dedicated Global Gateway portal. 

Or should you be in London, visit the EU's stand at the London Design Biennale, running throughout the month of June 2025, where the Global Gateway takes centre stage. 

Discover how the EU is building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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