Afghanistan Reconnected (New York City)

Overview

The EastWest Institute will present 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.

Program Overview

Participants

Permanent Missions to the United Nations, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and China

Supporters

Permanent Missions to the United Nations including the United Arab Emirates and Germany

Agenda

9:30 a.m.: Registration and light breakfast

10:00 a.m.-10:20am: Welcome

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Zahir Tanin; Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations
Mr. James L. Creighton, Chief Operating Officer, EWI

10:20 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Political and Economic Transition in Afghanistan

H.E. Ambassador Masood Khan; Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
H.E. Ambassador Kanwal Sibal; Former Foreign Secretary of India and Member of EWI’s Board of Directors
H.E. Ambassador Heiko Thoms, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations
Moderator: H.E. Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh; Permanent Representative of United Arab Emirates to the United Nations

11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Discussion and Q&A

11:30 a.m.-11:40a.m.: Short Break

11:40 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Afghanistan Reconnected: Regional Economic Security Beyond 2014

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)
Mr. Jim Bowen; Chief Executive Officer, Momentum Development
Moderator: Ambassador Martin Fleischer; Vice President, Director of the Regional Security Program and head of EWI’s Brussels Center

12:20 p.m.-12:50 p.m.: Discussion and Q&A

12:50 p.m.: Lunch

How to Join

Friday, October 17, 2014

9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

United Nations Headquarters

1 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017

Fourth Floor Delegates Dining Room