The North South Futures Forum (NSFF) is a global network of political leaders, thinkers, and policy strategists working to shape a progressive vision for international cooperation in a rapidly changing world. As a new global network of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, it brings together more than 30 senior political leaders, policymakers, researchers, and strategists from over 20 countries to exchange ideas and develop forward-looking approaches to global cooperation.Convened under the auspices of Lars Klingbeil, President of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the NSFF serves as a trusted space for dialogue between actors from the Global North and Global South.
Unlike traditional diplomatic formats, the NSFF emphasizes co-leadership, strategic trust-building, and long-term collaboration across regions.
Over the course of one week, participants engaged in strategic dialogues on:
From 15–19 June 2026, the NSFF reconvened in Brazil, shifting the conversation from diagnosing the crisis of multilateralism to identifying concrete pathways for progressive action. Building on the foundations laid in New York, participants explored how new forms of cooperation can emerge across the Global North and South through discussions on:
The NSFF network will reconvene in 2027 to continue its dialogue on the future of international cooperation and progressive multilateralism. Building on the discussions in New York and Brazil, participants will further advance the network’s work on global governance and explore progressive responses to shared global challenges.
Building on the foundations laid in New York and deepened through the discussions in Brazil, the NSFF has evolved into a long-term platform for progressive dialogue, joint learning, and policy development across the Global North and South.
Key outcomes of the NSFF process so far include:
A shared diagnosis of the major challenges facing progressive multilateralism, including geopolitical fragmentation, growing inequality, democratic backsliding, and the need to reform global governance.
A common agenda for action around key themes such as middle powers, AI as a public good, climate diplomacy, new development pathways, and structural reforms to global finance, debt, and taxation.
A stronger focus on agency and shared leadership, recognizing that renewing multilateralism requires new and more flexible partnerships, broader participation, and greater leadership from actors across the Global South.
The launch of thematic working groups and continued collaboration, enabling participants to develop joint policy ideas, publications, and proposals between annual meetings.
The NSFF brings together more than 30 participants from across all regions, and professional backgrounds – including parliamentarians, political advisors, former ministers, diplomats, academics, movement leaders, and policy experts.
Merle Rutz
United Nations and Global Dialogue | New York Office
