Meridian and ServiceNow Discuss the Future of Technology

On the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Meridian International Center and ServiceNow convened senior government officials, diplomats, business executives and global leaders for Global Innovation, Technology, and the Future of Cooperation. Held at The River Club in partnership with GEM, in New York City on September 22, the event explored how emerging technologies are reshaping international cooperation and how leaders across sectors can work together to advance responsible innovation.  

The event brought together leaders from the public, private and diplomatic sectors, including ambassadors, U.S. government officials and leaders from technology, business and policy organizations. 

Deborah Lehr, Chair of the Meridian Board of Trustees, opened the program, followed by featured remarks from T.H. Sarah B. Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Lehr then moderated a discussion with T.H. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, and Ms. Foo Chi Hsia, Second Permanent Secretary for Digital Development at Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Second Permanent Secretary for Smart Nation at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Permanent Secretary for Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Combiz Abdolrahimi, Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at ServiceNow, delivered closing remarks.  

The discussion focused on how rapid advances in technology are reshaping the roles of governments, international institutions, and businesses. Speakers explored how traditional policymaking processes can respond to the pace of technological change and how the private sector and other stakeholders can contribute to responsible innovation. Artificial intelligence was also central to the conversation, including questions of governance and safety and the role of international cooperation in ensuring new technologies serve societies around the world. 

Through its partnership with ServiceNow, Meridian provided a forum for leaders across sectors and borders to exchange perspectives on technological change and strengthen the relationships needed to navigate its global implications. 

Project summary

Meridian and ServiceNow Discuss the Future of Technology | September 2026