Speaking Topics

Winners and Losers in the New Global Macro

Investors are actively seeking portfolio diversification across asset classes and geographies – but what makes for a safe haven in today’s volatile and unpredictable world? Dr. Parag Khanna has spent a quarter century traveling to more than 150 countries, advising the largest and most prestigious asset managers as well as the most respected and successful governments. His deep and interdisciplinary analysis paints a data-rich picture of megatrends spanning economics, geopolitics, demographics, technology and climate. Distilling these themes into actionable insights for investors, he confidently forecasts which societies and sectors are most likely to succeed in this complex new investment landscape. 

Navigating the New Geopolitical Marketplace 

America no longer runs the world, nor will a “new Cold War” between the US and China determine global order. Instead, we find ourselves in a hyper-competitive “geopolitical marketplace,” the term Dr. Parag Khanna coined to capture how a half-dozen major powers are vying to be the trusted providers of military security, financial capital, energy resources, industrial equipment, digital technology, transport infrastructure and other vital services. Meanwhile, rather than choose sides, smart countries practice a deft “multi-alignment,” doing business in all directions to get the best deal for themselves. With his extensive experience advising heads of state and global corporations, Dr. Khanna guides you in finding opportunities in this complex new global system. 

The Global War for Young Talent

Our species is rapidly reaching “peak humanity.” The global population may cross nine billion people during the 2030s, after which it will rapidly decline. In fact, many aging societies from Europe to East Asia are already depopulating due to collapsing fertility and low immigration. But most of the world’s people are still young — and as they vote with their feet, they determine the winners and losers of the 21st century. Countries are now vigorously competing in a global war for youth to attract the taxpayers and homeowners, laborers and caregivers, students and entrepreneurs of the future. Companies must do the same – even though in a remote working world, millennials and Gen-Z are moving targets as they abandon national loyalty in favor of the most affordable and liberal lifestyle. Which societies are winning the war for young talent? How can corporations attract young employees to their headquarters while also building a decentralized workplace culture? Drawing upon the cutting-edge research in his latest book MOVE, Dr. Parag Khanna presents the world from the standpoint of the youth who will define it, guiding your talent acquisition and retention strategies for the years ahead.

Climate Adaption: How to Future-Proof Your Company and Country

Net zero is not enough. Climate disasters are intensifying, with ever greater costs to societies everywhere. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, and other catastrophes are causing upwards of $250 billion in damage annually. Climate refugees now outnumber political and economic migrants. The world will not only be hotter but also more violent, with conflicts over food and water and uncontrolled mass migrations across the continents. That is why climate adaptation must be every nation and company’s foremost priority. This includes fortifying and redesigning our cities and buildings, accelerating renewable energy, boosting food production, and relocating our businesses, citizens, and workers to more livable habitats. The climate will not adapt to us; we will have to adapt to it. Drawing up Climate Alpha’s proprietary software, Dr. Parag Khanna provides detailed analysis of the locations across the globe best suited to your business requirements and guides you in creating a customized strategy for climate resilience.

Asia is the world’s undisputed economic core. More than half the world’s population and GDP, as well as most of the world’s fast-growing economies and rapidly expanding middle class, are contained with its increasingly dense trade and investment agreements. Asia used to produce for the world, now the world produces for Asia. After Japan and China, the next chapter of Asia’s economic story is being written by the “fourth wave” regions of South and Southeast Asia, with countries such as India and Vietnam becoming key destinations for high-tech manufacturing as they capture key value chains and lead the world in minting unicorns. As the author of the landmark book The Future is Asian and strategic advisor to numerous Asian governments and corporations, there is no better guide than Dr. Parag Khanna to the geography that is defining the 21st century economy. 

Dr. Khanna offers the following formats for his engagements:

* TED-style keynotes with large-screen maps and data visualizations 
* Formal corporate presentations with industry relevant data and advisory
* Interactive panel dialogues as moderator or speaker
* Exclusive boardroom briefings for senior management delivering actionable strategic insight
* Leadership retreats mixing foresight workshops with casual dialogue
* Online webinars featuring presentations and interactive Q&A

To request a keynote speech, boardroom briefing, corporate retreat, or other speaking engagement, please contact:

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Billy Hallock
[email protected]

London Speakers Bureau (LSB)

Dominic Evans
[email protected]

To request Dr. Khanna for a speaking engagement, please click on the link below.

Speaker Request

Testimonials

Parag is a brilliant, energetic, and mesmerizing speaker who carried the opening day at our recent symposium, the largest annual gathering of geospatial intelligence practitioners in the world. Our almost 4,000 attendees bring wide-ranging areas of expertise regarding myriad emerging technologies, including remote sensing, data analytics, and intelligence for national security. They were universally blown away by Parag’s talk, and the concepts he raised were grist for superb conversations and debates during the entirety of our event.

– US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation

Business speakers have an impossible challenge to advise, inspire and keep their audience at the edge of their seats. In looking for the right speaker, we have the added pressure to ensure our clients walk away with value for the time they set aside to listen. Parag’s presentation was thought provoking and stimulating for our sophisticated clients.

– CBRE Capital Markets

Parag brought a sophisticated and optimistic vision for the future of the world economy to our colleagues.

– Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Parag's insight and analysis on the crucial role multi-generational families play in the world economy, and the range of investible assets that present great opportunities for the years ahead, provided Campden Wealth’s community with a stimulating and essential contribution to our North American Family Investment Conference.

– Campden Wealth Management

Parag was a highly rated keynote speaker at our recent European conference. During a particularly challenging and volatile time in the markets, his speech focusing on the mega-trends shaping the macro environment offered a thought provoking and cutting edge perspective for our clients.

– Barclays

Parag's keynote was exactly the macro view we needed to stimulate conversations on the intersection of financial services and emerging digital technologies. Very stimulating for our executives and clients.

– SAS

UPS's clients are looking at logistics and digital solutions on a global scale. Dr. Khanna's concept of the 'supply chain world' and his detailed analysis of the current trends in globalization and obstacles to smoother integration was exactly what we were looking for.

– UPS

Volatility has returned to global markets, but Dr. Khanna made a very persuasive case for the huge continued long-term opportunities in emerging markets, especially Asia. His presentation on the growing attractiveness of infrastructure as an asset class was first-rate.

– Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan

I'm pleased that Parag was able to speak at our Sustainable Financing Forum. We have received exceptional customer feedback. Customers and other attendees made special mention of the quality of the speakers, the depth and breadth of insights shared and relevance of the subject matter. Please extend my thanks to Parag for his valuable contribution and for sharing his insights with such clarity.

– HSBC

Clyde & Co. is rapidly expanding worldwide in vital industries such as insurance, transport and infrastructure. Parag provided a sharp and rapid-fire perspective on how these crucial sectors are evolving in a volatile world and mapped out pathways that benefited all our partners. Our collective view was: 'Wow!'

– Clyde & Co.

Dr. Khanna was a 'home run' at this year's ECC Conference. His presentation on his original work in Connectography was a perfect fit for our conference theme of innovation. Parag was an excellent speaker with a unique presentation on taking a different perspective on world geography. His research and theories gave our conference some great insights on where we might best focus our efforts to insure sustainable future growth in global commerce.

– Albemarle Corporation

Dr. Khanna's opening keynote address at our recent foreign direct investment forum was engaging, insightful and stimulating for our diverse audience of senior decision makers from government and international corporations. His thought provoking perspectives set the scene perfectly for the day ahead.

– Financial Times Live

Investor AB's 100th anniversary celebration was a major milestone in one of Europe's leading family firms. Dr. Khanna's opening keynote speech was inspirational to our senior management and the heads of our many portfolio companies. His vision of the future is precisely what we believe all investors should focus on.

– Investor AB (Sweden)

Parag offered our members a knowledgeable and fascinating perspective on the ways in which an increasingly urban world will renegotiate the historical boundaries of our geopolitical landscape. The various visuals and extensive research he provided made for a fact-packed program that fully engaged everyone in the room.

– Economic Club of Chicago

FANTASTIC!  Parag Khanna was masterful, relatable, relevant, amenable and elegant!  What more could you want in a speaker – and did I mention, dynamic!

– Carmel Public Library Foundation

AMAZING! He was a hit! 100% we made the right choice.

– ServiceNow

Stay Tuned for Updates

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
We will never share your email with anyone.