Beyond the Belt and Road: Europe’s Global Gateway Strategy

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, while also strengthening health, education, and research systems across the world. This panel discussion provides an accessible overview of the Global Gateway, outlining its objectives, priority sectors, and delivery mechanisms. The discussion explores what Global Gateway means in practice for Ireland, examining how Irish businesses, including SMEs, can engage with EU-backed financing instruments and international infrastructure projects, while ensuring alignment with sustainable development objectives and the priorities of partners in the Global South. The panel also situates Global Gateway within the broader context of the Global Europe Instrument and Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026, highlighting Ireland’s potential role in shaping and delivering this flagship EU initiative. The event begins with opening remarks by Barry Andrews MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's DEVE Committee, on the nature of the Global Gateway Strategy and is followed by the panel discussion. The panel includes: Barry Andrews MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's DEVE Committee Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO at Dóchas Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Local Enterprise & Regions at Enterprise Ireland Ruth Parkin, Director, EU Unit, Development Cooperation & Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade