Afghanistan Reconnected (Washington D.C.)

Overview

The EastWest Institute and the United States Institute of Peace invite you to a discussion of key recommendations from its latest report, Afghanistan Reconnected: Regional Economic Security Beyond 2014, which highlights the tremendous potential for economic growth and stability in Central Asia. The event will feature distinguished leaders and experts, who will discuss Afghanistan’s transition from a security and aid-dependent economy to one reconnected to the region, with great prospects for investment, growth and prosperity for its citizens.

Background

At the end of this year, Afghanistan enters a transition phase with the withdrawal of international troops. To lessen the negative economic impact and to promote continued growth, Afghanistan will need to refocus its development efforts. At the crossroads of Asia, Afghanistan presents attractive investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, mining and infrastructure. Exploiting these requires economic cooperation with the other countries in the region.

These recommendations are based on a consultation series on economic security, held over the past two years, in Istanbul, Islamabad, New Delhi and Berlin, involved leaders from governments, parliaments, the business sector, international organizations and academia

Agenda

8:30 a.m.: Registration and light breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Welcome

Dr. Andrew Wilder; Vice President of South & Central Asia Programs, United States Institute of Peace
Mr. James Creighton; Chief Operating Officer, EastWest Institute

9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Political and Economic Transition in Afghanistan

His Excellency Dr. Philipp Ackermann; Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Germany to the United States, Former Deputy Special Representative of the German Federal Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan
His Excellency Youssef al-Otaiba; Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States (tbc)
Mr. Jonathan Carpenter; Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, United States Department of State
His Excellency Mozammil Shinwari, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industries, The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Dr. S. Frederick Starr; Chairman, Central Asia-Caucus Institute, Johns Hopkins University

Moderator: Ambassador Martin Fleischer; Vice President, Director of the Regional Security Program and head of EWI’s Brussels Center

10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.: Afghanistan Reconnected: Regional Economic Security Beyond 2014

Dr. William Byrd; Senior Expert – Afghanistan, Unites States Institute of Peace
Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairperson of the Board, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Pakistan
Ms. Ambika Sharma; Deputy Secretary General & Head International Affairs Division, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
Dr. S. Frederick Starr; Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Ms. Fatema Z. Sumar; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, United States Department of State
Mr. Wahidullah Waissi; Director-General for Economic Cooperation, Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Moderator: Mr. Scott Smith; Director, Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs, United States Institute of Peace

How to Join

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

United States Institute of Peace

2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20037