In his first BRICS paper, Lord Jim O'Neill proposed a simple idea: reform the G7 by bringing in the four BRIC nations and create a more representative system of global governance. Today, amid growing geopolitical fragmentation and the expansion of BRICS+, that argument is more relevant than ever. In his opening keynote, Lord O’Neill will discuss why the G20 remains indispensable, what the future of global cooperation might look like, and why China's current economic trajectory may require a substantial rethink.

Join us for the opening of this year’s China Week with Lord Jim O’Neill, Baron of Gatley and Co-Founder of BRICS+ Thinking in conversation with Dr Gemma Chenger Deng, CEO and BRICS+ Thinking Co-Founder on Monday 19 October 2026.

The talk will be followed by a networking drinks reception.

Speakers 

Jim O’Neill is Chair and Co-Founder of BRICS+ Thinking. He previously worked for Goldman Sachs from 1995 until April 2013, spending most of his time there as Chief Economist. He is also a Honorary Chair of Economics at Manchester University, a Visiting Research Fellow at the international economic think tank, Bruegel, and on the economic advisory board to the IFC, the investing arm of the World Bank. Furthermore, he is one of the founding trustees of the UK educational charity, SHINE and serves on the board of ‘Teach for All’ and a number of other charities specialising in education. He is known for coining the term BRIC.

Gemma Chenger Deng is CEO and Co-Founder of BRICS+ Thinking and a scholar of foreign policy with a particular focus on China and its relationship with the west. Her doctoral research at King’s College London focused on conceptualising China as a 21st-century international relations actor, with a specific emphasis on contemporary UK–China relations. Dr Deng is the co-author of China Through European Eyes: 800 Years of Cultural and Intellectual Encounter, and her forthcoming book on China’s role in international relations is scheduled for release later this year.

This is a free event, which means we overbook to allow for no-shows and avoid empty seats. While we generally do not have to turn people away, this does mean we cannot guarantee all ticket holders a place. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. Those without tickets will not be admitted.

This event is hosted as part of King’s Lau China Institute’s CHINA WEEK (19-23 October) - a series of events designed to engage a wider audience in China. Find out more at kcl.ac.uk/china-week