2 Jul
People are the power: Solving Europe’s demographic dilemma
Europe’s shrinking and ageing population is not just a domestic issue – it is a strategic challenge with global implications. As population dynamics reshape the international…
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.
Uncrowded house: European power during demographic change
Mark Leonard is joined by Alberto Rizzi to discuss the global demographic transition and its implications for Europe’s economic future
Markets, migrants, microchips: European power in a world of demographic change
European policymakers should take the long view on demographic change, strengthening Europe’s place in the world through stronger international partnerships, the use of technology and EU enlargement
Shallow seas and “shadow fleets”: Europe’s undersea infrastructure is dangerously vulnerable
Moscow’s latest disruptive measures against Europe involve targeting cables traversing the Baltic Sea. The EU needs to bolster its deterrence posture and secure its infrastructure against such sabotage
Stand by me: Why EU trade actions need member-state consensus
Since Donald Trump’s re-election, the EU has been remarkably active on the trade scene. The bloc’s member state capitals must commit to future deals to ensure that talks are followed by implementation
Open trade, open minds: Why opposing the Mercosur trade deal would hurt the EU
An agreement between the EU and the Mercosur trade bloc promises an 800-million-person market and reduced tariffs. Yet political fears in Europe threaten to derail the landmark deal, jeopardising global alliances and the EU’s position as a leader in multilateral trade
Art of the deal: Four ways Europeans can find new trade partners in the Trump era
Trump’s trade policy is likely to harm European trade with America. Decision-makers can start to mitigate this now
Cold rush: How a transatlantic ship pact can win the race for the Arctic
Icebreaker ships are critical in the competition for Arctic resources. A new initiative aims to strengthen transatlantic capabilities in building and deploying these ships, but more should be done if the pact is to counter Russian and Chinese ambitions
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
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
Publications
Markets, migrants, microchips: European power in a world of demographic change
European policymakers should take the long view on demographic change, strengthening Europe’s place in the world through stronger international partnerships, the use of technology and EU enlargement
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
Shallow seas and “shadow fleets”: Europe’s undersea infrastructure is dangerously vulnerable
Moscow’s latest disruptive measures against Europe involve targeting cables traversing the Baltic Sea. The EU needs to bolster its deterrence posture and secure its infrastructure against such sabotage
Stand by me: Why EU trade actions need member-state consensus
Since Donald Trump’s re-election, the EU has been remarkably active on the trade scene. The bloc’s member state capitals must commit to future deals to ensure that talks are followed by implementation
Open trade, open minds: Why opposing the Mercosur trade deal would hurt the EU
An agreement between the EU and the Mercosur trade bloc promises an 800-million-person market and reduced tariffs. Yet political fears in Europe threaten to derail the landmark deal, jeopardising global alliances and the EU’s position as a leader in multilateral trade
Art of the deal: Four ways Europeans can find new trade partners in the Trump era
Trump’s trade policy is likely to harm European trade with America. Decision-makers can start to mitigate this now
Cold rush: How a transatlantic ship pact can win the race for the Arctic
Icebreaker ships are critical in the competition for Arctic resources. A new initiative aims to strengthen transatlantic capabilities in building and deploying these ships, but more should be done if the pact is to counter Russian and Chinese ambitions
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
Uncrowded house: European power during demographic change
Mark Leonard is joined by Alberto Rizzi to discuss the global demographic transition and its implications for Europe’s economic future
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
Events
2 Jul
People are the power: Solving Europe’s demographic dilemma
Europe’s shrinking and ageing population is not just a domestic issue – it is a strategic challenge with global implications. As population dynamics reshape the international…
In the media
We’re witnessing a shift in the US position and mounting frustration with Russia’s refusal to change its stance. This seems to be the only mechanism to guarantee ongoing American military assistance
Alberto Rizzi on the US position regarding relations with Moscow and the war in Ukraine
Mediterranean countries fear that the scheme will reroute UK returns via France back to first-entry states like Italy, Spain or Cyprus – overburdening their asylum systems
Alberto Rizzi on UK-France talks over a joint migrant returns scheme
Meloni’s far-right government is actually the one that has increased the number of legal migrants entering the country the most, which runs counter to the platform on which Meloni herself was elected
Alberto Rizzi on Italy’s new migration decree and Europe’s demographic challenges
Trump’s administration actively seeks to use trade negotiations to force the EU to capitulate and weaken the regulatory environment
Alberto Rizzi on U.S.-EU Trade Deal
Trump’s administration actively seeks to use trade negotiations to force the EU to capitulate and weaken the regulatory environment
Alberto Rizzi on the factors holding up a trade deal between the EU and US