2025
Aspen Security Forum
July 15-18, 2025 | Aspen, CO

2025 Agenda
2025 Speakers
2025 Videos and Transcripts

Welcome Message from Anja Manuel
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASPEN STRATEGY GROUP AND ASPEN SECURITY FORUM
Dear friends and colleagues,
The year 2025 has emerged as a time of profound global recalibration.
Deadly and destabilizing conflicts in the Middle East and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continue to challenge the world order, new alliances and trade agreements are evolving, and societies are racing to come to terms with artificial intelligence and other technologies, impacting every part of our lives.
However, the vast majority of the world’s citizens, including its leaders, share something deeply human—a desire to reduce conflict, to build stability, and to create a more prosperous world.
But the tools we once relied on—strategic alliances, long-standing partnerships, institutional norms—may no longer function quite as they did decades ago. In our rapidly shifting global landscape, our task is not simply to respond as we always have, but to question assumptions that may no longer hold true:
We assumed that economic interdependence would be the norm, and lead to less conflict.
We assumed that technology would always serve us, not challenge us.
We assumed that institutions built in a different era would endure unchanged.
At Aspen, we seek to approach global challenges with a beginner’s mind—open, humble, and ready to discover new solutions.
This summer, we will explore how releasing old assumptions can open the door to innovation, collaboration, and strategic recalibration.
Our founder Joe Nye—who sadly passed away this year—reminded us to retreat to nature to renew and reinvigorate our thinking. And so, we gather here once again, on this beautiful mountain, not only to assess risks, but to explore bold new approaches—clear-eyed, open-minded, and ready for the future.
Thank you for joining us.
See you in Aspen,
Anja Manuel
Executive Director
Aspen Strategy Group and Aspen Security Forum
ASF Daily Recaps
FAQ
2025 Agenda
The 2025 Aspen Security Forum agenda is taking shape. Please note that all speakers and times are subject to change.
2025 SPEAKERS
The 2025 Forum features the highest caliber of speakers, including domestic and international government officials, business executives, leading academics, and noted journalists from around the world.
Andrius Kubilius
European Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission
Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Baiba Braže
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
Jonathan Black
Deputy National Security Advisor, Cabinet Office, United Kingdom
Adam Boehler
Special Envoy for Hostage Response, U.S. Department of State
Balázs Orbán
Political Director of the Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister
Pasi Rajala
Political State Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence of Finland, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence of Finland
Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadóttir
Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, Council of Europe
Senator Christopher Coons
United States Senator, United States Senate
Mark R. Warner
United States Senator, United States Senate
Claudia Ruiz Massieu
Congresswoman, Chamber of Deputies of Mexico; Former Foreign Minister of Mexico
Sachin Pilot
Former Minister, Corporate Affairs, Telecom & Information Technology, Government of India; General Secretary, Indian National Congress
Halyna Yanchenko
Member of the Parliament of Ukraine; Head of Investment Taskforce for Defense Industry
Hina Khar
Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan; Chairperson, National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee
Joel Sampaio
Speaker, Brazilian Foreign Ministry
Statement on Department of Defense Participation at the 2025 Aspen Security Forum
For more than a decade, the Aspen Security Forum has welcomed senior officials—Republican and Democrat, civilian and military—as well as senior foreign officials and experts, who bring experience and diverse perspectives on matters of national security.
This year, we extended invitations to senior Trump administration officials, including several cabinet-level leaders. Today the Department of Defense gave their speakers guidance that they “will no longer be participating.”
We will miss the participation of the Pentagon, but our invitations remain open.
We are honored to host dozens of top national security voices, experts, business leaders and innovators, from across the political spectrum—and from across the world—at this year’s Forum. The Aspen Security Forum remains committed to providing a platform for informed, non-partisan debate about the most important security challenges facing the world.
Videos and Transcripts



























DAILY RECAPS
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DAY 4

FAQ
Where is the Forum held?
The Aspen Security Forum is held at the Aspen Meadows Resort at:
845 Meadows Rd
Aspen, CO 81611
Our sessions on Tuesday, July 15 will be held in the Greenwald Pavilion. All sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be in the McNulty room in the Doerr-Hosier building. Printed copies of the campus map will be provided on site.
Where do I register and check-in?
Registration will take place on Tuesday, July 15 in the lobby of the Doerr-Hosier Center starting at 11:00 AM and will remain open during Forum programming hours through Friday, July 18. You can stop by anytime to pick up your credentials, swag bag, and program materials. Due to increased security on campus, we ask you to wear your badge at all times during the Forum. Badges are non-transferable.
Where is the list of confirmed speakers and the most up-to-date agenda?
The most up-to-date version of the agenda can be found here. Please note that, given the nature of our speakers’ and moderators’ work and schedules, all panels are subject to change.
What is the best way to get to campus?
The Aspen Security Forum will provide complimentary shuttle service for the duration of the conference (July 15-18). The shuttle will run on a continuous loop from downtown Aspen to the Aspen Institute campus. Please consult the transportation section of our logistics memo here for the most up-to-date shuttle times. The town of Aspen also participates in WE-Cycle, a state-of-the-art, fully automated bike system that includes 100 bikes available to rent at 14 stations 24/7. For attendees who wish to walk to the Forum, the Aspen Meadows Resort is a short walk from downtown Aspen.
Will there be parking at the Forum?
No parking is available on campus for attendees during the Forum. Only hotel guests, security details, and those who receive parking passes issued by the Aspen Institute will have access to parking. We strongly encourage attendees to use the Aspen Security Forum shuttle or cross-town shuttle.
Is there a dress code?
Attire throughout the Forum is what we call “Aspen casual,” which means no ties for men, and jackets are not required, though some may wear sport coats. Dress is similarly “smart casual” for women.
Is any food served during the Forum?
Participants are invited to an opening reception at the Doerr-Hosier Center on the evening of Tuesday, July 15 immediately following the opening sessions. On the main days of programming—July 16, 17, and 18—breakfast and lunch will be available, along with morning and afternoon refreshments. Lunch will be available in the Walter Isaacson Center and the Marble Garden Tent. Espressos, lattes, and other coffee services will be available in the Google Pavilion starting at 7:30 AM on July 16, 17, and 18.
Light refreshments are available periodically throughout the day in the Doerr-Hosier Center. Vegetarian options are always available during the Forum. À-la-carte service is also available at the West End Social in the Walter Isaacson Center.
Is there an X handle and/or hashtag for the Aspen Security Forum?
Yes! Find us on X @AspenSecurity and use the hashtag #AspenSecurity.
Is there available meeting space for one-on-one meetings?
There are no private meeting spaces available. However, there are public areas throughout campus for side conversations, including the Aspen Meadows lobby, terraces of the Doerr-Hosier Building, and the Google Pavilion. These meetings must be independently coordinated, and Aspen Security Forum staff members are unable to provide logistical support.
What is your no weapons policy?
As part of our commitment to ensure the well-being of our event participants and staff, we have a no-weapons policy for all our locations, events, meetings, and convenings, wherever they occur. This policy is in effect regardless of whether an individual has a concealed weapons permit, or whether the location permits carrying weapons. The only exception is for law enforcement or security the Institute has engaged or allowed at its convenings, but only as part of their official role.
Can I record or take photographs of activities at the Aspen Security Forum? Will my voice or image be used?
Activities at the Aspen Security Forum may be recorded or photographed, and the audio, video, and images created may be displayed, distributed, and/or broadcast online, on television or radio, or in print publications. By attending, you are consenting to the use of your image or voice for these purposes.
What is the closest airport to Aspen?
The closest airport to Aspen is the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).
Does registration include hotel and airfare?
No, registration does not include hotel and airfare. Attendees must book their own travel to and from Aspen, as well as their hotel stay throughout the Forum. For information on hotels in Aspen, please consult the ASF Lodging Guide. Please note that there is no lodging available for attendees at the Aspen Meadows Resort during the Aspen Security Forum.
What kind of restaurants are in Aspen?
Aspen is home to a number of fantastic small restaurants that serve a variety of different types of cuisine. Please visit the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s dining page here for recommendations. Book your table soon, as restaurants tend to fill up fast during the summer months!
What is the weather like in Aspen?
Temperatures in Aspen range from an average of 78 degrees during the day to 63 degrees at night. The temperature cools significantly in the evening and afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon, so please be sure to pack accordingly.
How can I mitigate the effects of altitude sickness?
Aspen is located 7,980 feet above sea level, making altitude sickness a common health concern for visitors. We recommend that travelers drink plenty of water as fluids will help your body adjust. It is also highly recommended that attendees avoid alcohol and caffeine on their first few days in Aspen.

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