The Geography of the Next Economy
Executive Summary The structure of the global economy is entering a new phase of transformation. For much of the twentieth century, economic geography was largely defined by energy. Control over oil reserves, maritime routes, pipelines, and refining capacity shaped alliances, trade flows, and the strategic priorities of nations.Today, the foundations of economic power are expanding beyond hydrocarbons. The emerging economic landscape is increasingly shaped by the interaction of resources, infrastructure systems, capital flows, strategic corridors, and governance frameworks . Critical minerals required for modern technologies, large scale infrastructure networks, and global capital seeking long term investment opportunities are together redefining the spatial organization of economic power. Regions that combine resource potential with stable governance, reliable infrastructure, and predictable legal systems are becoming focal points of the next economic geography. For many countries of ...