Co-hosted by Rice Global and the Baker Institute for Public Policy, this armchair conversation features Laurent Bili, French ambassador to the United States, and David M. Satterfield, director of the Baker Institute. Together, they will examine critical global challenges, from geopolitical conflicts to the evolving roles of diplomacy, strategic alliances, global economics, and climate change. The discussion will also highlight the European Union’s influence and the importance of the partnership between France and the U.S. With insights from two diplomats deeply involved in shaping international relations, the conversation will offer valuable perspectives on today’s most pressing global issues and the international agenda.
This event is free and open to the public.
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Registration
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Agenda
4:00 pm CDT — Reception
4:30 pm CDT — Introduction
4:35 pm CDT — Armchair Discussion
5:05 pm CDT — Q&A Session
Participants
Featured Speaker
Laurent Bili is the new ambassador of France to the United States. A graduate of the French National School of Public Administration (ENA), Bili joined the French Foreign Ministry’s Strategic Affairs and Disarmament Directorate in 1991. After being seconded to the Defense Ministry as Deputy Diplomatic Adviser, he then held several positions at the Foreign Ministry between 1995 and 2002: first secretary and then second counselor in Ankara, Turkey; first secretary, Permanent Representative of France to the Western European Union (WEU); adviser to the European Union’s interim Political and Security Committee (PSC) in Brussels; and head of Strategic Affairs. In 2002, he became director of the Private Office of the Minister Delegate for European Affairs and was later technical adviser at the Diplomatic Unit of the Presidency of the French Republic (2002–07). He was then ambassador to Thailand, Turkey, and Brazil, and also held several other official roles. Prior to his appointment in Washington, Bili was Ambassador to China.
Moderator
The Honorable David M. Satterfield
Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey