About Us

Fórum Externo is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit international affairs think tank based in Mozambique and dedicated to supporting the country in projecting itself in a complex and changing geopolitical landscape.

Our mission is to strengthen Mozambique's contribution to the global debate and to sustainable solutions to the world's most pressing foreign affairs and international relations challenges. We seek to achieve this by conducting high-quality, independent research and providing policymakers with insights to inform policy debates on pressing international relations issues.

In addition, we provide a platform for key foreign policy stakeholders — including government institutions, the private sector, the media, civil society, cooperation partners, academia, civic and religious leaders, and others — to share ideas and to debate international affairs and Mozambique's engagement with the world.

Ultimately, we aim to raise broader domestic awareness of international politics and its impact on Mozambique and the region.

Why Fórum Externo matters

We are living in an era of emerging multipolarity, where rivalry among the big powers shapes supply chains and technological disputes. At the same time, regional blocs such as the European Union and the BRICS Group are seeking greater prominence by pursuing new alliances, primarily in Africa. Mozambique and other developing countries must balance their national interests with opportunities in the international sphere.

The global competition for strategic resources — such as natural gas, oil, water, and minerals critical to the energy transition — and security demands on international maritime transportation routes heighten Mozambique's relevance in the global and regional strategic calculus. At the same time, regional conflicts, cyber threats, migration flows, and climate crises expose collective vulnerabilities and strain traditional mechanisms of global governance.

Transnational issues — climate change, regulation of artificial intelligence, and pandemics — require cooperative solutions but are hampered by the resurgence of nationalism and protectionism. For Mozambique, this scenario presents both risks and opportunities to strengthen its diplomacy and international influence in an increasingly complex system.

Vision

Over the next decade, we envision a Mozambique that formulates and defends coherent foreign policy positions, advances national development through strategic economic diplomacy, and exercises agency in a multipolar world — strengthening its influence across regional, continental, and global arenas.

Mission

Our mission is to inform Mozambique's engagement with the world through rigorous, independent research and policy-relevant analysis for decision-makers and policymakers, to strengthen foreign policy analysis, and to provide a space for dialogue on foreign policy, economic diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Values

• Independence — Commitment to intellectual and institutional autonomy, ensuring objectivity and credibility.
• Inclusivity — We value diverse voices and broad participation in defining Mozambique's global and regional perspective.
• Constructive engagement — We aim to build bridges between the actors who define Mozambique's foreign policy and provide balanced analysis on international affairs and diplomacy.
• Innovation — We promote innovative thinking and creative solutions to global and regional challenges.

Fórum Externo's strategic approach is anchored in rigorous, independent analysis, inclusive dialogue, and public-interest research on Mozambique's foreign policy, economic diplomacy, and international engagement. Our work begins with a deep understanding of Mozambique's geopolitical position, domestic policy context, and international environment.

Our analytical work draws on foreign policy research, political economy, and geopolitical and geoeconomic analysis to examine regional and global trends shaping Mozambique's external environment. By combining comparative insights from Southern Africa, Africa and beyond with local knowledge, we aim to enrich policy debates and provide a strong evidence base for understanding international opportunities, risks, and trade-offs.

Dialogue and convening are central to our mission. Fórum Externo provides safe, credible, and inclusive platforms where policymakers, researchers, development partners, business leaders, and civil society can exchange ideas, discuss scenarios, and explore policy options. These spaces promote trust, encourage transparency, and strengthen the quality of national and regional debate.

We recognise that foreign policy is closely linked to economic diplomacy, governance, and institutional capacity. Fórum Externo therefore connects research on diplomacy, trade, development, and global governance to public education, professional learning, and policy dialogue.

Our approach is adaptive and learning-oriented. Through ongoing monitoring of global trends, early-warning analysis, and stakeholder feedback, we continuously refine our research agenda and convening activities to remain relevant in a changing international environment.

Diplomacy as an essential dimension of statecraft

Diplomatic activity is fundamental to advancing a state's national interests, securing development opportunities, and navigating an increasingly competitive international environment. As global dynamics shift — from geopolitical rivalries to climate negotiations and economic realignments — the ability of a country to engage strategically on the world stage becomes a critical component of effective statecraft.

Fórum Externo supports Mozambique's and other countries' diplomatic affairs by providing policy-oriented analysis and convening expertise required for impactful diplomatic practice.