The Observer Research Foundation and the Government of Maharashtra hosted Colaba Conversation— Mumbai’s signature forum for discussing international policy issues affecting the city, the nation, and the world on 2nd and 3rd February 2021. The two-day online conference saw participation of over 70 speakers from 20 countries who deliberated on issues of global cooperation in a deeply critical and contested world. 

The pandemic has radically transformed the way we live, work, and interact; a ‘new normal’ is crystallising. This transition has called for an equal reengineering of the global economy, policy-making institutions, and governance processes. Rethinking a new global governance architecture therefore needs room for short-term responses guided by the evolving nature of the pandemic and long-term responses guided by the fundamental shifts in global affairs.

The Indo-Pacific has now replaced the Asia-Pacific as the world’s primary theatre of geopolitics and geoeconomics, making India a primary stakeholder on strategic issues of the region. The rise of state-led capitalism evangelised by China and the diminished influence of the post-war security arrangements is forcing nations to cement new defence and economic alliances.

Within national boundaries, a new contract between markets, states and society is apparent. Sub-national governments and leaders are collaborating with their peers globally to respond to climate change, pandemics, and inequality, and to the needs of globalised youth. A new governance paradigm is emerging as technological advances are being leveraged to improve governance and economic opportunity.

Mumbai’s thriving international business centre, creative ecosystem and diverse communities made it an ideal place to discuss emerging governance issues afflicting the world.

Named after ‘Kulaba’, one of the seven islands that created the archipelago of Mumbai, the inaugural Colaba Conversation served as a medium for multi-stakeholder consultations and dialogue on the emerging role of commerce, community, and creativity in the Indo-Pacific. In order to interrogate the changing global dynamics with purpose and foresight, the forum deliberated on the evolving aspects of ‘Para-diplomacy’, ‘Globalised cities’, ‘Digital Futures’, and the ‘New Green Deal’.

The inaugural edition of Colaba Conversation brought together a global network of leaders from government, industry, media, the youth and civil society to deconstruct, debate, and shape the politics, perceptions and policies which will be vital to the emergence of a new global order. In keeping with ORF’s ‘gender-first’ policy, the panels had 34 women experts versus 31 male speakers from across the world