January 6, 2026 (Waterloo, Canada) — The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) released its 2025 Annual Report, showcasing the think tank’s key projects and achievements over the past fiscal year. The report underscores how CIGI forges collaborations to address governance challenges while broadening its global impact and influence.
As Canada assumed the Group of Seven (G7) Presidency in 2025, last year was pivotal for CIGI. The think tank convened global experts to draft strategic policy recommendations for the G7, hosted the Think7 (T7) Summit and delivered the T7 Communiqué to Canada’s G7 Sherpa.
“I would like to commend the CIGI staff and fellows for their commitment to producing timely research and engaging with policy makers worldwide,” says Jim Balsillie, chair of the CIGI Board of Directors. “CIGI’s research and policy engagement on quantum technology through the official T7 engagement group was instrumental in putting quantum technology on the agenda for G7 leaders at the June Leaders’ Summit.”
Some of CIGI’s other key 2025 achievements include securing a seat on South Africa’s Think20 (T20) advisory council, advancing the Digital Policy Hub program into its third year, and partnering with the Centre for the Study of Living Standards and the University of Waterloo to launch the Canadian AI Adoption Initiative, extending CIGI’s research on AI’s impact on global productivity.
“CIGI’s dedication to forward-looking analysis, innovative research and knowledge mobilization continues to grow our influence, positioning us to lead discussions on the world stage that reimagine international governance to meet current and future challenges,” says Paul Samson, president of CIGI.
CIGI also published the Global Economic Scenarios report, championed the creation of a Canadian federal AI minister, hosted a workshop on tech-facilitated gender-based violence at RightsCon 2025 and launched the Policy Prompt podcast, which features leading thinkers discussing urgent policy issues. Additionally, CIGI experts were actively engaged in the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, participating in the policy phase of the inquiry and contributing to its key findings and recommendations.
Looking ahead and building on these accomplishments, CIGI launched its five-year 2025–2030 Strategic Plan to influence global policy across four key research areas: AI and transformative technology; data, economy and society; digitalization, security and democracy; and global cooperation and governance.
In 2026, CIGI will celebrate its silver jubilee, marking 25 years of rigorous research that has shaped global policy, with a current focus on issues at the intersection of transformative technologies and international governance.
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Centre for International Governance Innovation
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About CIGI
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank whose peer-reviewed research, foresight and trusted analysis influence policy makers to innovate. With the engagement of a global network of experts and contributors, CIGI tackles the governance challenges and opportunities of data and transformative technologies, including AI, and their impact on the economy, security, democracy and, ultimately, societies. For more information, please visit cigionline.org.