Navigating a fast-changing world

Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management in Evaluation Synthesis

At a time when policymakers need reliable evidence more than ever, how do we protect vital knowledge and knowledge systems from financial and political threats? How do we harness artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and access to evidence while managing the risks? And how do we facilitate the exchange of knowledge, tools and experiences between the Global North and Global South?

We hosted experts, representatives from governments and international organisations, research institutions and funders to discuss these and other urgent questions. Participants pooled successful initiatives from across the world and committed to a range of practical actions, including on coordination, collaboration, communication and transparency.

Watch our video playlist to hear experts from the event discuss AI and knowledge management in evidence synthesis:

Accelerating progress on the lithium battery value chain

In February we convened a dialogue between UK and Latin American partners (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Brazil) to rethink how the lithium-ion battery value chain can better serve the UK and the region.

Lithium-producing Latin American countries have expressed a desire to progress up this value chain, while the UK needs a diverse and secure supply of lithium products.

This dialogue brought together government, academic and industry leaders to develop UK-LatAm partnerships. We particularly proposed deepening of existing scientific links, involving bodies such as the Faraday Institution. Such exchanges could both accelerate our partnership and develop cleaner battery technologies for the world.

The event report will be available soon.

Upcoming events

Global Impact Group retreat

This first retreat for the group seeks to surface perspectives on specific global issues impacting on private sector organisations.

It will include sessions on resilience and uncertainty: with the world going through such a rapid period of geopolitical change, how can collaboration between the private and public sectors support each to navigate these turbulent times? It will also include a discussion around building trust through better communication between private and public sector and explore practical methods of achieving this.

We will conclude the retreat with an update on government initiatives on soft power for geopolitical diplomacy and business growth and offer Global Impact Group members an opportunity to input their views and ideas on these initiatives and other ways government can leverage soft power.

For more information on joining the Wilton Park Global Impact Group, contact Nikki Mason, Head of Partnership Development.

Find out more about the Global Impact Group.

Food systems and power: towards collective action for systemic change

We will convene experts and decision-makers to address how entrenched power dynamics are hindering global food system transformation.

With 700+ million people facing hunger and food systems contributing to 31% of greenhouse gas emissions, the need for change is critical.

Building on UNDP’s White Paper identifying power dynamics as a key lever for change, participants will develop actionable pathways to navigate power asymmetries and shape more equitable food systems. The discussions will help set priorities for a new multi-partner Food & Power Initiative aimed at creating sustainable, resilient and healthy food systems.

Find out more.

Recent events

The Congo Basin Forests to Belém and beyond: what follows the Pledge?

The Congo Basin rainforest is a vital resource that’s being destroyed at an alarming rate.

Our dialogue worked towards delivering a successor to the 2021 Congo Basin Pledge at COP30, mobilising funding for Congo Basin countries to preserve their forests.

We were particularly delighted to welcome Minister Kerry McCarthy, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Ambassador Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, Principal Adviser to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Head of State, for Environment, Urbanism and Mobility; and Professor Dr Guy Rossatanga-Rignault, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Gabonese Republic, as speakers.

Irreversibility in nuclear disarmament

We completed a suite of four conferences on this topic, run between 2022 and 2025 in partnership with the FCDO and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The work carried out will inform those governments’ offer towards next year’s NPT Review.

As with previous iterations, we evaluated the NGO research commissioned by the UK and Norway, and developed strategies for how the work can be presented at the Review.

Find out more

Advancing sustainable urbanisation: working with Commonwealth countries to build a transformative coalition

The global urban population is set to grow by 2.5 billion by 2050, with almost 50% of that growth projected in Commonwealth countries.

To address this challenge, this event convened a pioneering coalition of leaders and specialists from across the Commonwealth to advance sustainable urbanisation.

Drawing on the 2022 Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation, the dialogue aimed to enable a transformative programme that will have real impact at scale – supporting cities in their journey toward sustainable, inclusive growth while addressing the climate crisis.

Find out more