Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Third Annual U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Conference

A Strategic Alliance in the Making

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 / Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm 

Center: Applied Conflict Transformation Center

Share This
Print the Page

The United States Institute of Peace, Embassy of Georgia, and the Heritage Foundation hosted the third annual U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership conference on June 13, 2019. Featuring renowned experts and government officials, the conference explored the current state of regional affairs, focusing on the geopolitical interests of the United States and Georgia and bilateral economic and trade opportunities. 

The conference looked at how the United States and Georgia can further strengthen the ties between the two nations. It also provided a unique chance for U.S. decision-makers, experts, scholars, and journalists to focus on geopolitical regional trends and challenges, and explore bilateral opportunities from both the regional and international perspective. Take part in the conference on Twitter with #GEOUS.

Agenda

8:30am - 9:00am - Registration

9:00am - 9:05am - Welcoming Remarks, The Honorable Nancy Lindborg, President & CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace 

9:05am - 9:15am - Keynote Address, The Honorable Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia

9:15am - 10:30am - Session 1: Geopolitics and Security: Ensuring Regional Peace and Stability 

  • H.E. David Zalkaliani
    Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
  • Mr. Michael J. Murphy
    Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
  • Dr. James Jay Carafano
    Vice President, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and the E.W. Richardson Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. Peter Doran, moderator 
    President and CEO, Center for European Policy Analysis

10:30am - 10:45am - Coffee Break

10:45am - 12:00pm - Session 2: Trade and Commerce: Regional Hub for Growth

  • Mr. Alexander Benard
    Co-Head of Cerberus Frontier and Senior Managing Director, Cerberus (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. 
  • Ms. Cynthia Huger
    Vice President, Administration and Finance and Agency Head, The Millennium Challenge Corporation   
  • H.E. Natia Turnava
    Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
  • Mr. Anthony Kim, moderator
    Research Manager and Editor of the Index of Economic Freedom, The Heritage Foundation

Related Publications

Why Georgians Are Protesting Against Russian Influence

Why Georgians Are Protesting Against Russian Influence

Thursday, March 23, 2023

By: Heather Ashby, Ph.D.;  Manon Fuchs

Earlier this month, the ruling Georgian Dream party withdrew proposed “foreign agent” bills that have been a source of contestation in the country, particularly over the last year. A diverse coalition of Georgians hit the streets to protest these bills, which they said would be a blow to Georgia’s democracy and undercut its efforts to be a candidate for European Union membership. Just as Ukrainians are resisting Russia’s illegal invasion, these Georgian protesters fear growing Russian influence in their country, which is already partly occupied by Russia. The bills’ collapse in the Georgian parliament revealed the power of civil society resistance and the continued fight within the country for European integration and democracy.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Russia’s Ukraine War Could Offer Chance to Resolve South Caucasus Conflicts

Russia’s Ukraine War Could Offer Chance to Resolve South Caucasus Conflicts

Thursday, May 5, 2022

By: Mary Glantz, Ph.D.;  Noah Higgins

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world’s attention has been justly focused on the war and the devastation inflicted on Ukrainian civilians. However, as the war drags on — and becomes ever more costly to Russia — policymakers in the United States and Europe must pay increasing attention to other areas where the diminution of Russia’s military reputation may upset local balances of power.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy;  Peace Processes

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia’s Balancing Act Over Russia’s War in Ukraine

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia’s Balancing Act Over Russia’s War in Ukraine

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

By: Mary Glantz, Ph.D.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have tried in different ways to balance the need for good relations with Moscow with a desire to support Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty. Each has reason to be cautious: Moscow has exploited ongoing conflicts in all three countries to dominate its self-defined sphere of vital interests. While these conflicts persist, Moscow will maintain significant leverage over Yerevan, Baku and Tbilisi. Working with them to resolve these conflicts and preserve their sovereignty should be a priority for the United States and Europe.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

View All Publications