Infrastructures and connectivity: Building bridges
In the first big multilateral test for prime minister Giorgia Meloni, this mini-series will explore the four main priorities of Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency: Ukraine, AI, infrastructure, and Africa
Experts & Staff
Alberto Rizzi
Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
Infrastructures, trade, energy, European Union
Languages
Italian, English, French
Biography
Alberto Rizzi is a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, based in the Rome office. Previously, he was a pan-European fellow and a visiting fellow with the European Power Programme at ECFR.
Rizzi works mainly in geoeconomics, with his research interests focusing on European economic policies, international trade, and the geopolitics of energy and infrastructure. He also covers the European Union’s economic engagement with developing countries and connectivity initiatives. Before joining ECFR, he was a research assistant at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies’ Centre on Business Scenarios in Milan. He has also worked at the European Army Interoperability Centre, the Italy-China Foundation, and the Italian Embassy in Tallinn.
He holds a BA in international and European studies from the University of Milan and an MA in international politics and regional dynamics from the same institution. He later completed an advanced master’s in EU economic governance at the Institute for European Studies of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Rizzi is also a frequent commentator on international affairs for several Italian and international media outlets.
The infinite connection: How to make the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor happen
The India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is alive, if not yet kicking. Europeans should use the hiatus in the corridor’s development to agree on the next steps, with a focus on reconciling the various goals of all its participants
Risk and reward: Why the EU should develop the Middle Corridor trade route
The EU’s plans to upgrade the Middle Corridor trade route may boost Russian and Chinese connectivity with central Asia. But for Europeans, the long-term economic and strategic benefits of going ahead with the development far outweigh these risks
Grand designs: Linking Europe to India via the Gulf
Plans unveiled at the G20 for a trade corridor linking the EU to India via the Gulf could rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But the participants face considerable challenges to ensure its economic viability and secure the necessary financing
Give and take: How the EU’s friend-shoring can improve its relations with the global south
To propel the green transition, the EU and its member states need to intensify their ‘friend-shoring’ with non-rivals in the global south. Three promising areas are critical raw materials, sustainable agriculture, and mature renewables technology
Opening the Global Gateway: Why the EU should invest more in the southern neighbourhood
The EU should invest more Global Gateway funding in the southern neighbourhood, helping it achieve strategic nearshoring, clean energy, and regional connectivity goals
Publications
The infinite connection: How to make the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor happen
The India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is alive, if not yet kicking. Europeans should use the hiatus in the corridor’s development to agree on the next steps, with a focus on reconciling the various goals of all its participants
Opening the Global Gateway: Why the EU should invest more in the southern neighbourhood
The EU should invest more Global Gateway funding in the southern neighbourhood, helping it achieve strategic nearshoring, clean energy, and regional connectivity goals
Articles
Risk and reward: Why the EU should develop the Middle Corridor trade route
The EU’s plans to upgrade the Middle Corridor trade route may boost Russian and Chinese connectivity with central Asia. But for Europeans, the long-term economic and strategic benefits of going ahead with the development far outweigh these risks
Grand designs: Linking Europe to India via the Gulf
Plans unveiled at the G20 for a trade corridor linking the EU to India via the Gulf could rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But the participants face considerable challenges to ensure its economic viability and secure the necessary financing
Give and take: How the EU’s friend-shoring can improve its relations with the global south
To propel the green transition, the EU and its member states need to intensify their ‘friend-shoring’ with non-rivals in the global south. Three promising areas are critical raw materials, sustainable agriculture, and mature renewables technology
Podcasts
Infrastructures and connectivity: Building bridges
In the first big multilateral test for prime minister Giorgia Meloni, this mini-series will explore the four main priorities of Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency: Ukraine, AI, infrastructure, and Africa
In the media
The situation is peculiar because we don’t see a huge impact if we look to energy prices or oil prices in the region due to rising instability, but that is partially due to external factors
Alberto Rizzi comments on the impact of the Middle East crisis on the Euro-Mediterranean energy market
If you look at Gulf countries, they are investing heavily in renewable energy. They want to be a major provider of green energy as well
Alberto Rizzi on future energy challenges
Alberto Rizzi on the potential of subsea energy cables, and what the implications for European policy are
Central Asian countries circumventing sanctions against Russia are a problem for Europe
Alberto Rizzi on the European export market and the role of Moscow
Eurozone is still attractive, but we must focus on the difference in the approach between small and large economies
Alberto Rizzi on the Eurozone membership of the EU countries outside of it