Kishore Mahbubani

In this keynote, Kishore Mahbubani explains why the rise of Asia is not a passing trend but a structural shift in the global balance of power. He outlines how Asian economies and governments are reshaping trade, technology, and geopolitics—and why traditional Western assumptions about leadership no longer hold. Rather than offering a pessimistic narrative of decline, he proposes a clear three-part strategy for how Western governments, companies, and institutions can adapt, recover influence, and build more constructive relationships with a confident Asia. Audiences come away with a realistic yet pragmatic roadmap for engaging with the Asian century instead of resisting it.

This session focuses on the most consequential strategic relationship of our time: the evolving rivalry between the United States and China. Kishore Mahbubani explores what each side wants, how their worldviews differ, and where their interests still intersect. He explains how their competition is reshaping alliances, multilateral institutions, technology standards, and global supply chains. Rather than simplistic “Cold War 2.0” analogies, he offers a nuanced framework for understanding scenarios of confrontation, coexistence, and limited cooperation. This keynote is designed for leaders who need to make decisions today in a world defined by US–China tensions.

In this provocative and timely talk, Kishore Mahbubani examines the simultaneous realities of a relatively declining West and a rapidly rising East. Rather than framing this shift as an inevitable clash, he asks how the world can move toward a more stable and legitimate balance of power. He traces the long-term trends behind Asia’s resurgence, from economic growth and demographic weight to technological capability and political confidence, while also analyzing the structural challenges facing Western societies. Mahbubani then outlines what a more balanced global order could look like — and what reforms are needed in global governance, trade, and security architecture to get there. Audiences leave with a nuanced understanding of the transition under way, and practical insights on how to navigate it without sliding into zero-sum rivalry.

In this provocative and forward-looking talk, Kishore Mahbubani addresses a defining question of the 21st century: where does the future really belong? He argues that the major economic, demographic, and technological trends of our time are all converging toward Asia. With clarity and historical depth, he explains how China and India are reshaping the global landscape, why Europe represents the past and the United States the present, and how Asia is emerging as the center of the future. Mahbubani explores the return of long-term historical power dynamics, the new logic of growth, technology, and open markets in Asia, and the key risks that could alter the region’s trajectory. For audiences, this keynote serves as a concise guide to understanding the Asian century and the new world taking shape—and what it means for strategy, investment, and global positioning.

In this keynote, Kishore Mahbubani connects geopolitics with one of the most pressing challenges of our time: protecting human security and advancing health equity in a world of overlapping crises. From pandemics and climate shocks to food insecurity and fragile supply chains, he explains how today’s “polycrisis” is exposing deep structural imbalances between and within countries. Mahbubani shows why global health and human security can no longer be treated as technical or purely domestic issues, but as strategic priorities shaped by power, diplomacy and international cooperation. He offers a clear framework for how governments, businesses, and multilateral institutions can work together to reduce vulnerability, strengthen resilience, and ensure that the benefits of scientific and technological progress are shared more fairly across the globe.