TOKYO, 8 December 2020 –
Ian Bremmer's
highly anticipated speech about the “State of the World” focuses on how the Covid-19 pandemic, the greatest global crisis since World War II, has accelerated a series of massive global changes, which were already underway but led to disruptions that have only accelerated. These changes include increasing inequality, threats to democratic legitimacy, the erosion of international institutions, massive technological disruption, and the seeds of improvement for climate issues as demand for fossil fuels wanes.
Central to these changes is deepening competition between China and the United States. Covid-19 has accelerated perceptions that China is the indispensable economic partner, but it has also accelerated suspicions of China's plans to gain more influence on the world stage. But China's effectiveness in quashing the pandemic that began within its borders contrasts starkly with the US, which has endured more pandemic-related deaths than any other nation. The US also remains bitterly divided politically, with President Trump refusing to concede his bid for re-election.
Some other key points from the speech:
- Technology is a future weapon. Anyone who can credibly threaten to shut down 5G infrastructure will have huge leverage within the international system.
- Technology is also redefining national security away from conventional and nuclear military capabilities toward cyber/information warfare capacity. That will level the playing field between the US and China, make Russia a marginal power, and persuade these actors to rethink their alliances.
You can view a video of Bremmer's speech on
GZERO Media's website. You can also read a transcript of the speech in both
English and
Japanese.
Bremmer's speech marks the traditional kick-off for Eurasia Group's annual
GZERO Summit, which traditionally takes place in Tokyo. This year's event, which is virtual, features several prominent speakers. Prime Minister
Suga Yoshihide of Japan will deliver welcoming remarks. Panel speakers include former Australian Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd, former Google CEO and Executive Chairman
Eric Schmidt, Gates Foundation Policy & Advocacy President
Gargee Ghosh, SONY CEO
Yoshida Kenichiro, and PwC International Chairman
Bob Moritz. Dozens of other influential leaders are expected to take part in the GZERO Summit's key forums. You can read more about the key discussions and panelists at
http://www.gzerosummit.com/speakers.
The 2020 edition of the GZERO Summit is supported by several notable organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Keidanren – Japan Business Federation, Pfizer, Suntory, PwC Japan Group, and Yomiuri Newspaper.
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About Eurasia Group
Eurasia Group is the world's leading global political risk research and consulting firm. By providing information and insight on how political developments move markets, we help clients anticipate and respond to instability and opportunities everywhere they invest or do business. Our expertise includes developed and developing countries in every region of the world, specific economic sectors, and the business and investment playing fields of the future. With our best-in-class advisory and consulting offerings and GZERO Media, the Eurasia Group umbrella provides the marketplace with a complete political risk solution. Headquartered in New York, we have offices in Washington DC, London, San Francisco, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Tokyo, as well as on-the-ground experts and resources in more than a hundred countries. "Politics first" grounds our work: Politics is the lens through which we view the world, and we are committed to analysis that is free of political bias and the influence of private interests
Media inquiries:
Gregory Roth
Director of Communications
Eurasia Group
(646) 291-4051
[email protected]
