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Carolin Albrecht, Founding Managing Director of Berlin Global Dialogue, discusses the inspiration behind the theme of this year's summit - and how business and government can cooperate to shape prosperity for all in times of shifting power dynamics.
Interviewed by Klara Marie Schroeder
We are currently witnessing the shift to a multipolar world order, in which economic, military, and political power is increasingly distributed among different centers and regions. This shift is redefining both politics and business - and understandably creates a lot of uncertainty. The theme “Shifting Power, Shaping Prosperity” reflects the need to approach this change in a constructive way. At a time when negativity often dominates the headlines, we want to explore how multipolarity can act as a catalyst for global growth and stability.
Berlin Global Dialogue itself emerged out of the social, economic, and political realities of the twenty-first century. So this year’s theme encapsulates what we stand for: a new summit for a new era.
Technological advances are fundamentally reshaping global power structures. In many ways, technology has redefined the concept of power itself: Artificial intelligence and the foundational technologies behind it are now just as much of a strategic advantage as military might or natural resources. This shift alters the geopolitical influence of nations and amplifies the role of technology companies in shaping global affairs.
The speed and scale of innovation we have seen over the last few years would not have been possible without theoretical and practical cooperation between different countries. However, the current trend toward fragmentation and bloc-building on the global stage threatens this cooperation and risks becoming a barrier to future innovation.
The world order that emerged after the Second World War resulted in a prolonged period of peace and prosperity in the West. However, many countries in other parts of the world experienced this time quite differently. While a multipolar world order comes with many challenges, it also provides the opportunity to create more balance, equity, and prosperity among countries.
Multipolarity broadens the responsibility of maintaining global order to a wider range of actors. Both established and emerging powers need to embrace this responsibility and create an upgraded global governance structure that provides representation and stability for all regions.
A multipolar world also holds a significant promise for increasing global prosperity and economic growth. To succeed in this evolving landscape, both governments and businesses must actively broaden their networks of cooperation and seek diverse partnerships beyond traditional alliances. By opening new avenues for trade and investment, they can tap into emerging markets, enhance economic resilience, and build more robust and adaptive value chains. This approach not only reduces dependencies but also stimulates innovation and promotes inclusive development across regions.
I think three areas are key to this. First, we need to embrace multipolarity instead of fighting it. The world has changed, and we need to accept that.
Secondly, we need to reform existing institutions to reflect this new reality and evolving power dynamics. The governance of the multipolar system is certainly lagging behind. Inviting the African Union into the G20 was an important first step in this context.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, we need to continue working together despite our different points of view. We must accept that in an increasingly fragmented world, we will have to collaborate with countries that have a different political and cultural heritage.
This is why at Berlin Global Dialogue, we take a thematic approach to cooperation. Instead of thinking in political ideologies or regional alliances, we are looking at the four thematic areas where cooperation is imperative to our collective future: geopolitical shifts, climate change, technological advances, and global inequality.
In a multipolar world, robust dialogue and collaboration between business and government are essential to ensure effective policymaking and long-term predictability. When public and private sectors align, they reduce uncertainty and create a stable environment that enables investors and international partners to plan with confidence.
We should leverage Public-private partnerships strategically to diversify supply chains, invest in critical infrastructure, and drive innovation and competitiveness. In particular, technological advancement demands close cooperation between governments and businesses to ensure that innovation serves the broader public good and strengthens resilience amid geopolitical shifts.
As global power becomes more distributed, the expectations placed on businesses to uphold economic interconnectedness and stability are growing. Coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors can amplify a country’s or region’s influence in international forums, helping to shape global norms and standards that reflect shared values and interests.
At this year’s Berlin Global Dialogue, we are offering a platform where leaders from business and government can explore joint opportunities, forge new partnerships, and collectively build confidence in a multipolar world.
Learn more about the BGD 2025 theme here.
Carolin Albrecht is the Founding Managing Director of Berlin Global Dialogue. Prior to that, she was the Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability at unicorn company Gorillas, and Germany Country Director at the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen.
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