8th Annual Meridian Global leadership Summit

Sustaining Global Economic Growth: Energy, Trade and Investment

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center | Washington, DC

As global citizens and consumers, we all want to know how the changing landscapes in energy, trade and investment will impact continued economic growth and prosperity around the world. Given the current geopolitical landscape, it can be difficult to envision what sustainable global economic growth looks like – and how world leaders are designing a pathway for our shared global future.

In its eighth year, the Meridian Global Leadership Summit brought together diplomatic, business and policy leaders in a neutral, nonpartisan setting for a morning of inspired conversation on how we can collaborate on solutions to today's most pressing global challenges and opportunities.

The 2019 Summit explored how shifts in trade, investment and energy will shape the global economy for the foreseeable future, and what global leaders are doing to rise to the challenge.

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Summit Agenda

WELCOME REMARKS watch

AMBASSADOR STUART W. HOLLIDAY, President and CEO, Meridian International Center

AMERICAN ATTITUDES TOWARD GLOBAL TRADE watch

JOE DALY, Senior Partner, Gallup

THE SHIFT FROM MULTILATERAL TO BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS watch

While one-on-one discussions and disputes are among the hallmarks of a new American trading system dominated by the U.S.-China trade war, much of the world is embracing multilateral
trade pacts as demonstrated through the African Continental Free Trade Area and the agreedto-in-principle EU-Mercosur trade pact. The dichotomy extends to the WTO as the U.S. is no
longer willing to wait for concerns to be addressed. What opportunities will emerge in this new norm of sanctions and tariffs and how can nations and global businesses best adapt?

• THE HONORABLE ROBERT M. SCHER, Head of International Affairs,
  BP America
• HER EXCELLENCY DR. EMILY HABER, Ambassador of Germany
• HER EXCELLENCY ROSEMARY BANKS, Ambassador of New Zealand
• Moderator: RYAN HEATH, Senior Editor and UN Playbook Director, POLITICO

ENERGY SPOTLIGHT watch

• MARY STREETT, Senior Vice President, U.S. Communications and External Affairs,
  BP America
• In conversation with: AMBASSADOR STUART W. HOLLIDAY, President and
  CEO, Meridian International Center

TAPPING THE WORLD’S EVOLVING ENERGY PORTFOLIO TO MEET INCREASED GLOBAL CONSUMPTION watch

While global investment in renewable energy continues to outpace traditional energy investment, fossil fuels remain the foundation of our global economy and their share of global energy
consumption has remained steady at 81% for the past 20 years. At the same time, expanding populations and the modernization of society have led to an explosion of energy demand. History has shown a rise in energy consumption typically increases use of both the new emerging energy sources as well as the traditional ones. How can governments work together and with the private sector to harness increased global energy demand while keeping the economy moving forward and addressing mounting climate concerns?

• SENATOR JOE MANCHIN, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
• THE HONORABLE THEODORE J. GARRISH, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
• Moderator: ALI VELSHI, Anchor and Correspondent, MSNBC

INCREASING INVESTMENT IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY ERA watch

Trillions of dollars in additional investment are needed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals; however, global foreign direct investment flows have fallen for five straight
years. Rising private equity and other global assets under management indicate that there is no shortage of capital, just a need for increased flow at a time when world leaders are
increasingly questioning investment deals out of national security concerns. The incoming U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will provide a public sector approach to drive
sustainable private capital into emerging markets. What steps does the private sector need to take to bolster cross-border capital flow? How can global investment grow amid national
security apprehension and new CFIUS rules?

• TERESA BARGER, Co-Founder and CEO, Cartica
• EDWARD A. BURRIER, Chief Operating Officer, Overseas Private Investment Corporation
• RICHARD CHIN, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Development, SK Group
• Moderator: LUIZA CH. SAVAGE, Executive Director of Cross-Platform Content and Host of Global Translations Podcast, POLITICO

PUTTING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY TO WORK FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE watch

• AMBASSADOR MICHAEL FROMAN, Vice Chairman and President, Strategic Growth, Mastercard
• In conversation with: ANA SWANSON, Trade Reporter, The New York Times

MERIDIAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARD PRESENTATION watch

The Meridian Global Leadership Award honors those who, by their actions and practices, exemplify the positive impact individual and corporate leaders can have in their communities and
the world. These individuals are champions of Meridian’s belief that all citizens can be global
leaders and they share Meridian’s commitment to strengthening the diplomacy and leadership
required to solve shared global challenges.

CLOSING REMARKS watch

MANISHA AND ROY KAPANI, Chairs, 51st Annual Meridian Bal

Summit Speakers