Asanga Abeyagoonasekera Highlights Geopolitical Risks at Dubai Global Future Leaders Forum
NEWS
SAFN
10/22/2026
Pic: Asanga Abeyagoonasekera presented his recent book to H.E. Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs of the UAE
WASHINGTON, DC | October 21, 2026 Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN) under The Millennium Project, participated in the Global Future Leaders Forum, held in Dubai from October 12–16, joining international thought leaders and fellow World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders (YGLs) to discuss emerging global risks and future challenges. Abeyagoonasekera was recognised as a Young Global Leader in 2012.
His participation focused on escalating geopolitical tensions, their implications for regional and global stability, and the role of strategic foresight in helping policymakers anticipate disruption. He took part in “The Anticipatory Leadership Lab” and the “Unknown Tomorrow” workshop, exploring emerging scenarios shaped by geopolitical shocks. He described “Unknown Tomorrow” as among the most insightful futures research workshops he has attended in the region, highlighting its relevance to understanding uncertainty and preparing for interconnected crises.
During the visit, he presented his book, Winds of Change: Geopolitics at the Crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, to H.E. Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs of the UAE. The book examines great-power competition and the challenges facing smaller states in preserving their strategic autonomy.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the Economic Crime and Geopolitics Index (ECGI), developed through the Washington, DC–based Economic Crime & Geopolitics Center. The forthcoming ECGI report will extend its coverage to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Discussions in Dubai included interest in expanding the Index’s geographical reach and exploring technology to support data collection and analysis.
Abeyagoonasekera thanked the World Economic Forum and the Government of Dubai for convening the gathering at a time of heightened regional tensions and providing a platform for international dialogue on shared challenges.
