Rich Lesser

Business and the Global Economy: Driving Growth and Innovation | Global Conference 2025

Conrad Kiechel, Gerard Baker, Ajay Banga, Mariam bint Mohammed AlMheiri, Rich Lesser, Gilberto Tomazoni, Jerry Baker

At the 28th Milken Institute Global Conference, panelists led by World Bank officials and BCG executives discussed strategies to navigate global trade fragmentation and a looming labor surplus in developing nations. The discussion highlighted the critical need for public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure and energy grids capable of supporting both AI adoption and agricultural transformation. Experts concluded that while geopolitical tensions threaten traditional globalization, targeted regional integration and regulatory reforms can unlock new growth vectors for the global economy.