New Washington Think Tank Brings Global South Voices Directly to U.S. Congress and DC-based Global North Policymakers
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2026 — The Global South Policy Hub launched on Friday, April 17, in Washington, marking the arrival of a new nonpartisan think tank dedicated to embedding Global South expertise directly into U.S. and international policymaking spaces.
This new think tank aims to address a key gap in the international policy arena: global challenges disproportionately impact Global South countries, yet, their perspectives remain underrepresented in the institutions where solutions are developed. This gap, which is particularly stark in Washington, widens the divide between Global North and Global South policy stakeholders. This reinforces global inequality, slowing progress on equitable climate solutions and economic development, and limiting opportunities for peace and security.
The Global South Policy Hub aims to address this issue by connecting scholars, thought leaders, and practitioners from the Global South directly to Global North policy arenas. Through research, policy convening, and cross-regional network-building, the organization will serve as an access point for Global South experts to engage directly with U.S.-based decision-making circles shaping global policy.
“From conflict to climate to economic inequality, addressing today’s international challenges requires global solutions. But too often, Global South voices are absent from policy discussions,” said Founder and Upcoming Executive Director Aude Darnal, who previously led the Stimson Center’s Global South in the World Order Project. “At the Hub, we're committed to ensuring that Global South expertise informs policymaking to advance shared prosperity, security, and justice.”
In 2026, the organization will create such connections notably through two inaugural fellowship programs:
- The Nonresident Fellowship offers mid-career and senior-level policy professionals from the Global South greater exposure to Washington’s policy circles. The program provides a platform for fellows to share regional perspectives and expertise through research publications and events.
- The Congress Connect Fellowship pairs our Nonresident Fellows with congressional staffers seeking a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy and global governance decisions affect the Global South.
Together, these programs help strengthen South-North collaboration, focusing on themes such as global governance, international finance, resource and energy policy, development cooperation, and peace and security. The Hub will also convene private and public policy events, briefings, and other convenings, and partner with U.S.-based and foreign institutions and researchers to contribute to policy discussions.
“I think it is extremely important, given the current environment, to have a platform for Global South practitioners to tap into the conversations, solutions, and recommendations on what is required for the Global South to move forward toward development," said nonresident fellow Geneva Oliverie.
For its launch, the Global South Policy Hub published two paper series: one examining the impact of U.S. foreign policy in the Caribbean and offering recommendations for stronger diplomacy and regional cooperation, and another on the reform of the international financial architecture. All papers are available at www.gsphub.org.
For media inquiries, contact cranwala@gsphub.org.
