Look ahead to the geopolitical events that will shape your world.


2023 Event Location  
13-14 Nov 2023
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit
US/Asia
Global
The US is hosting the annual APEC summit. And has outlined supply chain resilience, digital trade, connectivity, opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, climate change and environmental sustainability as key themes for the summit.
14 Nov 2023 Presidential election second round run-off Liberia Liberia
President George Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Joseph Boakai of the opposition Unity Party (UP) will face off in the second round, after neither managed to secure the 50% plus one required to win the presidency. Weah remains the frontrunner and the most likely winner. He will likely benefit from his more substantial campaign resources and leverage his position as incumbent to offer independent candidates positions in government in exchange for their support. Political competition will drive the threat of localised unrest in areas such as Nimba and Montserrado counties, posing primarily incidental security threats to businesses.
19 Nov 2023 Presidential election second round run-off Argentina Argentina
Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right candidate Javier Milei will face off amid elevated political polarisation and ongoing economic deterioration. Protests and unrest will likely ensue immediately after election day. A heightened risk of unrest will likely persist in the following weeks. Demonstrations will pose incidental security risks to assets and personnel, as well as operational disruption from roadblocks, particularly near government buildings and political party offices.
16 Nov 2023 Presidential elections  Madagascar Madagascar
Madagascar is set to hold its next presidential election amid heightened opposition and civil society scrutiny over the electoral process. The poll was initially set for 9 November, but it was postponed to 16 November after a series of opposition protests. 
22 Nov 2023 General election The Netherlands Netherlands
The election had been expected to be held in 2025, but an early election was called after the government resigned on 7 July 2023 due to a dispute over immigration policy.
26 Nov 2023 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries+ (OPEC) ministerial meeting
Global
Global
The OPEC+ full ministerial meeting with take place to discuss oil production output, including quotas.
27-29 Nov 2023
UN Forum on Business and Human Rights
Global
Global
The forum serves as a key global platform for stakeholders to discuss trends and challenges in the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles and to promote dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights.
27 Nov - 1 Dec 2023
Second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
Global
Global
The first meeting in June 2022 concluded with the Vienna Declaration – reaffirming condemnation of nuclear threats – being adopted. Nuclear powers, including France, Russia, the UK, and the US are not signatories.
30 Nov - 12 Dec 2023
Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28)
Global
Global
COP28 will take place in Dubai (UAE). As a result of disappointing progress at COP27, members will be under pressure to make significant progress in securing commitments to reducing carbon emissions.
December 2023
Brazil takes over G20 presidency
Global
Global
Brazil will take over 2024 G20 presidency from India.
8 Dec 2023 EU Finance Ministers meeting EU EU
EU finance ministers meet to discuss changes to the EU's fiscal rules on debt and deficit reduction.
10 Dec 2023
75th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights
Global
Global
The 75th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights will likely increase scrutiny on human right issues globally. 
10-12 Dec 2023 Presidential election Egypt Egypt
President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi will win the elections thanks to the backing of the security forces and state media.
17 Dec 2023 Constitutional referendum  Chile Chile
Chileans will either approve or reject a proposal for a new constitution.
17 Dec 2023 Parliamentary elections Serbia Serbia
 Snap parliamentary elections are being held following opposition demands for polls after several mass shooting in the country in May 2023. The opposition is likely to see small gains in the Belgrade local elections, which will take place at the same time, but such gains will not translate into any increase in representation for the opposition at the national level. The governing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and President Aleksander Vucic remain popular. Their dominance of the media and use of oppressive measures will help them retain control of the government. Public discontent with Vucic and the SNS will persist and drive continued protests, though such protests are unlikely to impact businesses.
20 Dec 2023
General election
Congo (DRC)
Congo (DCR)
Congo (DRC) is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. the election run-up is likely to be turbulent, with frequent security incidents particularly in the east, as well as in Katanga, where the opposition has its strongest support. Opposition leaders are likely to challenge Tshisekedi’s victory, including through judicial action and street protests. Unrest is likely to elicit violent responses from the authorities.
January 2024
General election
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
The 11th Sangsad (legislature) is scheduled to expire on 29 January 2024. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is under opposition pressure to resign in the run-up to the elections and appoint a caretaker government to oversee the polls. The opposition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will continue to organise large rallies and demonstrations to press for these demands.
January 2024 Russia takes over BRICS presidency
Global
Global
Russia will take over the BRICS presidency from South Africa. The memberships of Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia will take effect on 1 January 2024. 
January 2024
Italy takes over G7 presidency
Global
Global
Italy will take over the G7 presidency from Japan.
3 Jan 2024
Anniversary of death  of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani
Global
Global
The US in January 2020 killed Soleimani, the  commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Unit (PMU) leader, in a drone strike in Iraq. Iran conducted retaliatory attacks against US interests in the region that year.
13 Jan 2024
Presidential election
Taiwan
Taiwan
Incumbent Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party is ineligible to seek a third term.
14 Jan 2024 Presidential election
Comoros Comoros
 Incumbent president Azali Assoumani will likely seek another term in office. The elections are likely to be tense amid lingering frustration from opposition parties, following controversial elections in 2019.  
15-19 Jan 2024
World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting
Global
Global
The WEF Annual Summit will take place in Davos (Switzerland).
20-23 Jan 2024 Third South Summit of the G77 Uganda Uganda
A summit of over 130 developing and non-aligned countries focused on economic development issues.
February 2024 Review of the IMF’s Standby Arrangement Pakistan Pakistan
Pakistan is scheduled to undergo a final review of the IMF’s USD 3bn Standby Arrangement.
Feb-Mar 2024 Full NATO membership and Sweden military exercise North America, Europe Global
The largest exercise since the Cold War will reportedly take place in Germany, Poland and the Baltic states.
3 Feb 2024 Democrat Presidential primary elections US USA
Democrats begin their contest in South Carolina, as President Joe Biden seeks re-election
4 Feb 2024 General election El Salvador El Salvador
Current President Nayib Bukele and Vice President Felix Ulloa will run for re-election.
14 Feb 2024
Presidential election
Indonesia
Indonesia
The election will deliver a change in administration because President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo cannot stand again.
16-18 Feb 2024 Munich Security Conference (MSC)
Global
Global
The MSC is an independent forum that brings together policymakers to discuss the more critical international security issues, including major conflicts and escalating threats.
24 Feb 2024 Anniversary of the start of the large-scale Ukraine conflict
Ukraine Ukraine
This will mark two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 
25 Feb 2024 Parliamentary and local elections
Belarus Belarus
Elections to the parliament and local councils at various levels will take place. Belarus will hold its first ever single voting day as envisaged in the updated constitution.
26-29 Feb 2024 World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference
Global
Global
The topmost decision-making body of the WTO is the Ministerial Conference, which usually meets every two years. It brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs unions. The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.
1 Mar 2024 Legislative elections Iran Iran
These will be the first elections to take place since widespread protests in 2022. 
5 Mar 2024
Super Tuesday
US
USA
Approximately one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on Super Tuesday, more than on any other day. The results are therefore a strong indicator of the likely eventual nominee of each major political party.
17 March 2024
Presidential election
Russia
Russia
Incumbent President Vladimir Putin is highly likely to stand and the vote will likely take place despite the protracted war with Ukraine.
29 Mar 2024
Day of the Young Combatant
Chile
Chile
The day commemorates the 1985 killings of two brothers by the police. Violent protests in Santiago and other cities traditionally occur on the day.
10 Apr 2024 Legislative elections South Korea South Korea
The scheduled elections will be critical for the policy agenda of President Yoon, as the governing party currently holds a minority of seats in the legislature.
5 May 2024 General election Panama Panama
President Laurentino Cortizo cannot seek re-election. Former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-14) holds an extensive lead, despite substantial corruption allegations.
19 May 2024 General election Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
President Luis Abinader, from the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), will run for re-election.
20 May 2024
Presidential inauguration
Taiwan Taiwan
The winner of the January presidential election will be inaugurated.
21-24 May 2024
Global Supply Chain Forum
Global
Global
In Bridgetown (Barbados), government officials, business leaders and experts will attend the inaugural forum to discuss supply chains links to digitalization, food security, transport costs, climate change, developing countries’ financing needs and how to better manage the energy transition in international transport.
2 Jun 2024 General election Mexico Mexico
Incumbent President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) is term-limited. The main presidential candidates will be Claudia Sheinbaum (ruling party MORENA) and Xochitl Galvez (opposition party PAN).
6-9 Jun 2024
European Parliament elections
EU
EU
Member states will hold elections for European Parliament representatives.
1 Jul - 31 Dec 2024 Council presidency by Hungary EU EU
 Hungary is due to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, despite ongoing tensions over its failure to comply with EU law.
15-18 Jul 2024 US Republican Party National Convention  US USA
Delegates in Milwaukee (Wisconsin state) will select the party’s nominees for president and vice-president in the 2024 US presidential election.
26 Jul - 11 Aug 2024
2024 Summer Olympics
Global
Global
The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris and other locations around France and in French overseas territories.
August 2024 General elections Rwanda Rwanda
The Rwandan government in March 2023 decided to synchronise the dates for its parliamentary and presidential elections. Long-time ruler, President Paul Kagame, will stand.
19-22 Aug 2024
US Democratic Party National Convention
US
USA
Delegates in Chicago (Illinois state) will select the party’s nominees for president and vice-president in the 2024 US presidential election.
22-23 Sep 2024
The UN Summit of the Future
Global
Global
The summit aims to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system.
October 2024
BRICS summit
Global
Global
Russia will reportedly hold the summit in Kazan. It will be the first summit with expanded BRICS membership.
9 Oct 2024 General election
Mozambique Mozambique
Uncertainty remains around the Frelimo presidential candidate for the 2024, as a clear successor to President Filipe Nyusi is yet to emerge. 
13 Oct 2024 Legislative elections  Lithuania Lithuania
A government reshuffle before the scheduled elections cannot be ruled out, but any transitions are likely to be smooth. 
26 Oct 2024 Legislative elections Georgia Georgia
There will be 150 seats up for election having a fully proportional system with a 5% threshold for the first time. Russian influence in the country has increased in previous elections.
27 Oct 2024
General election
Uruguay
Uruguay
If no presidential candidate receives a majority in the first round of voting, a runoff will take place on 24 November 2024.
5 Nov 2024
Presidential election
US
USA
President Joe Biden is running for a second term. Former president Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, among several others, have formally announced their candidacies to be the Republican party nominee.
December 2024
South Africa ascends to G20 Presidency
Global
Global
South Africa will take over from Brazil.
2-13 Dec 2024
UNCCD Conference of Parties 16th session
Global
Global
Saudi Arabia will host the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh. 
7 Dec 2024 General elections Ghana Ghana
Incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo will not be eligible to contest this election, which the opposition is currently likely to win amid an ongoing economic crisis. 

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