Events
21 January 2025
Enabel puts international cooperation on the map in Davos
Press release

In the margins of the World Economic Forum at Davos, on Wednesday 22 January, the Belgian international cooperation agency Enabel is organising a debate entitled ‘Reimagining international cooperation: A strategic imperative for global and European competitiveness.’
While many European countries are scaling back budgets for international cooperation and are even questioning its usefulness, some voices are convinced that a robust framework for global cooperation is crucial to safeguard Europe’s competitiveness. The Draghi Report calls for stronger alliances between the public and the private sector. A call that perfectly fits with Enabel’s vision.
In recent years, Enabel has continuously advocated a comprehensive approach to international cooperation, with government institutions (‘whole of government’), agencies, research centres and the business world joining forces in a ‘Team Belgium’ approach.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo introduces the debate in Davos. Josef Sikela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, is the keynote speaker.
Jean Van Wetter, CEO of Enabel, moderates the debate with Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and the following captains of industry: Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, François Michel, CEO of John Cockerill, Jacob Bossaer, CEO of Bosaq, and Andres Peñate, Global VP Corporate Affairs Anheuser-Busch InBev.
They discuss how partnerships between the public and private sectors can and should be the driving force to enable strategic investments, and provide examples of initiatives in the energy sector, the European Global Gateway strategic corridors, vaccine production, and critical raw materials.
The debate’s closing remarks are for Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Quintin.
“Through our projects and our contacts in partner countries, we notice that Belgian expertise is very much appreciated, both for the know-how of our ministries, research centres and universities and for the technological knowledge of our companies,” says Jean Van Wetter. “If we really want to have a human, economic and geopolitical impact, we need to work more closely together and play to our strengths.”
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo agrees: “Belgium has what it takes to take international cooperation to the next level. Our presence in Davos underlines our belief that public-private partnerships, targeted investments and innovative policies are essential to accelerate sustainable development. Only through cooperation and solidarity can we create an inclusive, equitable and resilient global economy that leaves no one behind.”
The World Economic Forum in Davos brings together world leaders to reflect on key global and regional challenges, including geopolitical upheavals, economic growth with a view to improving people’s livelihoods, and the achievement of a just and inclusive energy transition.