Global Gateway Forum kick starts to boost sustainable investments in infrastructure

October 26, 2023 by European Union Leave a Comment

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the first Global Gateway Forum opened in Brussels. It brought together over 40 high-level Government representatives, financial institutions and business representatives to discuss the world’s investment needs, debate solutions and seal new deals. The panel discussions on the first day focused on green energy and hydrogen, research and education, critical raw materials and transport corridors.

President von der Leyen opened the Forum, and stated: “The fate of present and future generations depends, more than ever before, on the quality and quantity of the infrastructure that connects us all. Team Europe has put forward Europe’s largest global investment programme ever: the Global Gateway. Global Gateway is about giving choices to countries – better choices. Because for many countries around the world, investment options are not only limited, but they all come with a lot of small print, and sometimes with a very high price. That is why Global Gateway investments work: they are demand-driven and they are a win-win for all partners involved.” The full speech is available on EbS here and you can also read it here.

On the eve of the Forum, the Global Gateway Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform held its first meeting with Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. The platform will be a space for civil society and local authorities to engage on Global Gateway rollout within the different investment priorities.

Agreements and announcements made during the first day of the Forum:

Green energy

During the first day of the Global Gateway Forum, several announcements in the field of the green energy transition were made:

€500 million for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Vietnam, to foster the renewable energy transition in the country.
€400 million to foster renewable energy in Bangladesh under the partnership for Green Energy Transition.
€246 million package in support of a greener and more sustainable future for Cabo Verde, including an energy sustainability loan, support for the Cabeólica wind farm expansion project, upgrades to the country’s port infrastructure and more accessible and affordable internet connectivity across the country.
€146 million to the construction of the Kakono hydropower plant in Tanzania, contributing significantly to both economic development and climate change adaptation.
€60 million for the Green Economy Programme with the Philippines, to assist the country in transitioning towards a sustainable economy.
€20.4 million for the Green and Blue Pact in Comoros to boost the country’s environmental and food resilience.

Additionally, the EU and Mauritania launched a new Team Europe initiative to support investment in the energy transition and decarbonisation of Mauritania’s economy, by developing its green hydrogen industries. Complementing this initiative, the EU has also signed new cooperation actions in 2023, including €13.7 million to promote sustainable food systems and access to quality and affordable food and €10 million to promote blue economy in Mauritania.

Critical raw materials

The roadmap for the EU–Namibia strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen was endorsed on 24 October. Backed by €1 billion in investments by the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions, the roadmap for the period 2023-2025 details the concrete actions in which the partnership will advance its goals, in close cooperation with EU and Namibia financial and private sector stakeholders.

Transport corridors

The EU will also support an upcoming study for the development of the Walvis Bay port in Namibia, the entry point from the Atlantic side to the Walvis Bay – Maputo Corridor, one of the eleven Strategic Corridors the EU envisages to support as part of the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package. With EU support, a masterplan that covers multimodal infrastructure, spatial planning and market organisation will be developed.

The EU also announced a €12 million grant to rehabilitate and modernise two key sections of railway lines in the Republic of Moldova, complemented by a further forthcoming loan of €42 million from the EIB, that will not only enhance internal connectivity in the Republic of Moldova, but also offer a crucial export route for Ukraine, further strengthening the Solidarity Lanes initiative and fostering regional stability and economic resilience, as well as a €16 million blending grant through EIB Global, to improve the road safety in Georgia along Georgia’s East- West highway.

Education

In the education sector, Commissioner Urpilainen signed a €46 million contract as a major step taking forward the roll-out of the Regional Teachers’ Initiative for Africa to support the development and implementation of policies, education and professional development for teachers.

The EU also announced a €10 million grant through EIB Global, to improve education infrastructure in Armenia through the construction of two extra curricula education and teacher training centres in the Southern part of the country.

In addition, €30 million was committed for the Republic of Tajikistan to boost education. Finally, an Annual Action Plan for 2023 and 2024 benefiting Kenya, with an education component, was signed.

For More Information

Global Gateway

Global Gateway Forum

Commission launches Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform

EU and Namibia agree on next steps of strategic partnership

EU launches a Team Europe Initiative to develop green hydrogen in Mauritania and accelerate its energy transition

Team Europe and Cabo Verde present an investment package of €246 million to boost green energy, sustainable transport and digital connectivity transformation

EU and Bangladesh sign €400 million for renewable energy and launch negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

Team Europe and Viet Nam sign over €500 million in agreements underpinning the Just Energy Transition Partnership

EU and Philippines sign €60 million Green Economy Programme

Global Gateway Forum: EU and Comoros sign agreements for €28.9 million to boost national development

Global Gateway Forum: EU boosts employment in Tajikistan with €30 million in budget support

Global Gateway Forum: Tanzania secures funding from EU and French Development Agency for Kakono hydropower plant

Global Gateway Forum: EU takes major step in delivering on the Regional Teachers’ Initiative for Africa

Global Gateway Forum: EU announces €16 million for improving road safety in Georgia along the East-West Highway

Global Gateway Forum: EU announces €12 million for railway lines in the Republic of Moldova

Global Gateway Forum: EU announces over €10 million to support education opportunities in Armenia

Global Gateway Forum: EU launches €72 Million cooperation priorities for Kenya to strengthen the green, digital and inclusive transitions

Quote(s)

The fate of present and future generations depends, more than ever before, on the quality and quantity of the infrastructure that connects us all. Team Europe has put forward Europe’s largest global investment programme ever: the Global Gateway. Global Gateway is about giving choices to countries – better choices. Because for many countries around the world, investment options are not only limited, but they all come with a lot of small print, and sometimes with a very high price. That is why Global Gateway investments work: they are demand-driven and they are a win-win for all partners involved.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Related media

Discover more from The European Sting - Critical News & Insights on European Politics, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Business & Technology - europeansting.com

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

© WFP/Arete/Ali Yunes Some residents of Beirut who have been displaced by the conflict are now living on the streets of the Lebanese capital.

‘Perfect storm’: Lebanon crisis deepens as civilians bear the brunt

March 13, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as conflict, mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned. The current escalation began on 2 March, when outgoing fire by Hezbollah drew a strong retaliation from […]

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour People living in Gaza have received humanitarian aid from the UN throughout the conflict with Israel.

UN relief chief condemns ‘$1 billion-a-day’ cost of war in Middle East

March 12, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring and aid funding is falling dangerously short. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency […]

© UNICEF/Azizullah Karimi Afghan returnees from Iran gather at the Islam-Border, near Herat in western Afghanistan (file).

‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war

March 11, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]

© UNHCR People gather at the Masnaa border point in Lebanon as they wait to cross into Syria.

Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates

March 10, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]

UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz Smoke rises in Beirut, Lebanon, following the outbreak of hostilities across the Middle East.

Lebanon ‘dragged back into turmoil’, UN envoy warns

March 9, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon has been “dragged back into a state of turmoil and violence”, the UN’s top envoy in the country warned on Saturday, after the latest round of regional strikes triggered a fast‑escalating crisis along the Blue Line. What had been fragile but real momentum, she said, has […]

UNHCR Smoke rises after an airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon.

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue across Middle East as humanitarian concerns grow

March 6, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Highlights Production team: Vibhu Mishra with Daniel Johnson in GenevaToday 12:15 μ.μ. UN rights office warns displacement orders in Lebanon affecting hundreds of thousands The UN human rights office has warned that large-scale displacement orders and ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are worsening the suffering of civilians already affected […]

© UNICEF/Ramzi Haidar Destroyed buildings and debris in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, following airstrikes.

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Further escalation drives uncertainty and suffering

March 6, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On day six of the war in the Middle East, there’s been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We’ll bring you […]

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Conflict continues across region amid US, Israeli and Iranian strikes

March 5, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider […]

© IAEA/Paolo Contri The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran.

Iran crisis: Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced and aid compromised

March 4, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs. UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani also recalled […]

© Unsplash/Kamran Gholami Tehran, the capital of Iran. (file photo)

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue from US, Israel and Iran as UN urges restraint

March 3, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a third day as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue to cause loss of life and damage across the region, prompting Iranian missile and drone counter-strikes hitting targets in multiple countries. Explosions, airspace […]

Deadly bombing of Iran primary school ‘a grave violation of humanitarian law’: UNESCO

March 2, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN education agency, UNESCO, says that the bombing of a primary school during the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran on Saturday constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law. The missiles reportedly destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150 and […]

© UNRCO Iran Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes ‘undermine international peace and security’

March 1, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions. The attack on Iran reportedly targeted military sites as well as the leadership of the Iranian […]

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour A woman holds a child as a storm approaches Khan Younis in Gaza.

Palestine: UN rights chief highlights suffering, atrocity crimes ‘that remain unpunished

February 27, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN rights chief Volker Türk on Thursday highlighted the “human-made disaster” across the Occupied Palestinian Territory stemming from Israel’s disregard for human rights norms and serious violations also committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Citing a new report from his office (OHCHR) covering the […]

Ángela Soria Pitarch was born on March 28, 2003. She is currently a fifth-year medical student at the University of Valencia.

Not the Future, the Present: Young Voices Shaping Global Health in 2026

February 26, 2026

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Ángela Soria Pitarch was born on March 28, 2003. She is currently a fifth-year medical student at the University of Valencia. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to […]

© UNOCHA Many rural areas of Ukraine have been blasted by shelling and drone strikes. The country is also one of the most mined in the world, top UN aid officials warn.

Ukraine wakes to more violence as Russia’s invasion enters fifth year

February 25, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022 shattered the peaceful aspirations of an entire continent, but war must never be the new normal, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. “Four years ago, people in Europe woke up in another […]

Fokah Wembe Darrell Dupray is a 4th-year medical student at Université des Montagnes, Bangangté Cameroon and a student leader within the Cameroon Medical Students’ Association (CAMSA).

From Local Barriers to Global Lessons: Practical Paths Toward Inclusive Healthcare

February 23, 2026

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Zainatun Nawwariyah is a fifth-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatera, who is passionate about advancing medicine through research, advocacy, and service. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed […]

© UNICEF/Bullen Chol A grandmother takes care of her 17-month-old malnourished grandson in South Sudan.

World News in Brief: UN humanitarian chief visits South Sudan, shelter fire risks in Gaza, West Bank violence

February 23, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator arrived in South Sudan on Friday to visit one of the most under-reported humanitarian crises in the world, as clashes between government and opposition forces continue in Jonglei state. Tom Fletcher will focus on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the world’s youngest country and escalating protection risks for both civilians and aid workers. […]

Ukraine’s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy, healthcare continue – UN humanitarians

February 21, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions in Ukraine struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes, with the crisis taking a particular toll on women, humanitarians warned on Friday. Freshly back from a visit to the country UN Women’s Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia […]

Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report

February 20, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Increased Israeli attacks and the forced transfer of Palestinians have sparked concern over ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday. The report covers the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 and is […]