Meridian International Center

For more than 65 years, Meridian has held a steadfast mission: that today's global challenges require a new approach — one that opens diplomacy beyond traditional channels to leaders across business, science, cities, culture, and sports. Today, we announce the appointment of David Bohigian as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 30. He was instrumental in the creation of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, contributing to the bipartisan passage of the BUILD Act and strengthening the landscape of U.S. development finance. Across the public and private sectors, Bohigian has mobilized $5 billion in global investments and founded and led impact-driven venture capital firms. His career reflects what Open Diplomacy demands: a command of how policy, business, and international relationships intersect to build geopolitical resilience, advance U.S. competitiveness, and strengthen alliances on challenges no single government can solve alone. We also are proud to announce Deborah Lehr as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees. Her leadership as interim CEO has been a steady and clarifying force, and her continued role at Meridian ensures that momentum carries forward. Read our full statement here: meridian.org/news/meridian-… #OpenDiplomacy #GlobalLeadership #AmericanLeadership #GeopoliticalResilience #Diplomacy

As U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific evolves, sports diplomacy is an underutilized tool for building long-term trust and engagement. "Programs that focus on coaching development, youth leadership through sports and international competitions have often helped create sustained channels of engagement between societies that might otherwise have limited interaction." — Meridian’s TK Harvey via UPI. America's next Indo-Pacific strategy cannot ignore the playing field upi.com/4421773933731 via @upi

Culture connects. Culture endures. Culture leads. This June, Meridian will honor Dr. Zahi Hawass and Reem Acra at Culturefix 2026—two global icons whose work shows how heritage and creativity transcend borders and shape international understanding. Join us in Washington, D.C. on June 4 for an evening where arts and diplomacy take center stage. Learn more: meridian.org/news/meridian-…

ICYMI 🌐 On February 25, Meridian International Center, in partnership with SIDO and with support from Citi, convened leaders from across the U.S. and around the world to explore the growing role of states in commercial diplomacy and foreign investment. From shifting trade dynamics to sector-specific state strategies, one message was clear: while policy may be set in Washington, execution—and impact—is happening at the state and local level. Explore key takeaways on how states are shaping the future of trade, investment, and U.S. economic security: meridian.org/project/state-…

Space is now a critical—and contested—domain. Join us @MeridianIntl's Executive Training on Space Security (March 26, DC) to build the skills needed for high-stakes decision-making in space. 🛰️ Crisis simulation 🧠 Strategic frameworks 🌍 Global security insights 🔗 meridian.org/project/execut…

Interest in space diplomacy continues to grow — and this year’s Meridian Space Diplomacy Forum is officially at capacity! If you weren’t able to secure a seat, you can still be part of the discussion by joining the livestream. 🔗 Register to attend virtually: diplomacyforum.meridian.org/space-rsvp

What is subnational diplomacy?  Subnational diplomacy refers to the growing role that states, provinces, and cities play in international engagement — building partnerships that advance trade, investment, innovation, and cultural exchange.  Through these efforts, local leaders are strengthening global relationships and expanding economic opportunity beyond national capitals.  At Meridian International Center, our programs bring together governors, mayors, and regional leaders to explore how state-led diplomacy can support economic growth and strengthen international partnerships. Recently, Meridian convened leaders with @FIDE North America to discuss how states and regions can deepen cross-border economic cooperation.  Learn more about this work through Meridian’s Center for State and Local Diplomacy: meridian.org/state-local/

This Week at Meridian 🌍 🖼️ Meridian partnered with the Embassy of Sweden to host the opening of a Swedish-American art exhibition, launching our new Diplomacy at 250 series highlighting key U.S. bilateral relationships. Guests heard remarks from Sweden’s ambassador to the United States, Urban Ahlin, Meridian Interim CEO Deborah Lehr, and Silvia Taylor of Novavax. meridian.org/news/launching… 🏺 Deborah Lehr, Meridian Interim CEO, convened ambassadors and senior officials from ASEAN+3 countries for a closed-door roundtable on The Illicit Trade and Repatriation of Asia’s Cultural Heritage, in partnership with The Antiquities Coalition. The discussion focused on strengthening diplomatic cooperation and law enforcement efforts to combat antiquities trafficking and support the return of looted cultural heritage. linkedin.com/feed/update/ur… ⏳ There are just two days left to apply for the Meridian Global Leadership Institute. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the next generation of global leaders. leadership.meridian.org Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed: meridian.org/subscribe/ meridian.org/news/launching…

Inside Insights@Meridian 🎤 The Honorable John Jovanovic of the Export-Import Bank of the United States joined Meridian International Center to discuss how export finance strengthens U.S. competitiveness, supports innovation, and advances economic diplomacy. Learn more about the conversation: meridian.org/project/insigh…

Protecting cultural heritage requires global cooperation. 🌏 Meridian hosted a diplomatic roundtable with the The Antiquities Coalition and ambassadors from ASEAN countries to discuss combating the illicit trade in antiquities and advancing efforts to repatriate looted cultural treasures. Through diplomacy, law enforcement collaboration, and public awareness, leaders explored new opportunities to safeguard Asia’s shared heritage for future generations.

As the space domain becomes increasingly multipolar, commercialized, and contested, the need for strong international collaboration has never been greater. On March 25, 2026, the Space Diplomacy Forum: Shared Horizons will bring together diplomats, government leaders, space agency representatives, industry executives, and policy experts in Washington, DC to explore the geopolitical, economic, and scientific forces shaping humanity’s next chapter in space. The forum will examine critical issues including: • Building norms and standards in a growing global space economy • Orbital stewardship and space debris mitigation • Financing global space partnerships • The future of space diplomacy in a post-ISS era • International cooperation with emerging spacefaring nations At a moment when activity in space is accelerating rapidly, sustained dialogue across governments, industry, and academia is essential to ensure space remains open, safe, and sustainable for the benefit of all. Want to be a part of the conversation? Join the interest list: #space-interest" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">diplomacyforum.meridian.org/space#space-in…

How will the 2026 review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement shape North American competitiveness? Meridian International Center convened business leaders for a Global Business Briefing with @Esteban Moctezuma Barragán to discuss the future of U.S.–Mexico economic partnership, supply chain integration, and regional trade cooperation. Watch highlights from the conversation. Learn more: meridian.org/project/global…

Export finance is becoming an increasingly important tool of U.S. economic statecraft.  At a recent Insights@Meridian program, John Jovanovic, Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, joined trade policy expert Kate Kalutkiewicz for a conversation on how export credit is shaping U.S. competitiveness in an era of rising geopolitical competition.  Introduced by Nicole Isaac of Cisco Systems, the discussion explored how financial tools and public–private collaboration can strengthen supply chains, support emerging technologies, and reinforce partnerships with trusted economies.  Ambassadors and Meridian Corporate Council members joined the discussion on how export finance is helping advance U.S. manufacturing, energy leadership, and innovation.  Read the takeaways: meridian.org/project/insigh…

With daylight saving time, a new season is underway. 🌷 ☀️ Just as the world moves forward, diplomacy continues to evolve. Today, global engagement extends beyond governments to include business leaders, innovators, and civil society.  Through Open Diplomacy, Meridian brings these voices together to strengthen international partnerships and expand the diplomatic ecosystem.  Learn more through our Diplomacy Explainers: youtube.com/shorts/-H6Ca0R…

North American competitiveness depends on strong economic partnerships.   At a recent Global Business Briefing, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán joined corporate leaders at Meridian International Center to discuss the upcoming 2026 review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement and the future of regional economic integration.  Moderated by Puru Trivedi, the conversation explored Mexico’s perspective on the review process, the deep economic ties between the United States and Mexico, and the role of trilateral cooperation in strengthening supply chains and supporting growth across North America.  Learn more: meridian.org/project/global…

This Week at Meridian 🌍 Meridian welcomed John Jovanovic, Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, for an Insights@Meridian conversation on how export finance is strengthening U.S. competitiveness, supply chain security, and technological leadership. Meridian convened a Global Business Briefing with Brandon Remington of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Brien Beattie of Amazon Web Services on the Administration’s AI Action Plan and U.S. leadership in international AI diplomacy and security. meridian.org/project/global… Meridian launched the SME Global Space Cooperation Program to support U.S. space startups and SMEs as they expand internationally and build partnerships across the global space economy. meridian.org/project/sme-gl… In a new op-ed in The Hill, Deborah Lehr, Interim CEO of Meridian International Center, argues that protecting and returning Ukraine’s looted cultural heritage should be part of any future peace settlement with Russia. thehill.com/opinion/intern… Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed: meridian.org/subscribe/

How can governments rebuild public trust while solving complex challenges? Meridian International Center convened subnational leaders, policy experts, and researchers at Meridian House for a workshop and roundtable on innovative democratic engagement. Hosted with FIDE - North America, the discussion explored how tools like citizens’ assemblies and the Deliberative State Governance program can help state and local governments strengthen public participation and deliver more effective policy solutions. Learn more: meridian.org/project/civic-…

The Meridian International Center team was proud to participate in Advocacy Day, joining peers and partners to highlight the importance of international exchange, diplomacy, and global engagement. Throughout the day, we met with policymakers to discuss the impact of Meridian’s programs and the vital role people-to-people connections play in strengthening U.S. leadership around the world. 🌍🤝

Cultural heritage is often seen as symbolic. In times of conflict, it can be strategic. In a new op-ed published today in The Hill, Meridian Interim CEO Deborah Lehr examines why the protection and return of looted cultural heritage should be part of any future peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. Since the invasion, Ukraine reports that nearly 1,700 cultural heritage sites have been damaged and more than 1.7 million cultural objects stolen from museums, churches, and archaeological collections. History shows that cultural heritage is not only a victim of war—it is often used as a tool to erase identity and reshape historical narratives. Following World War II, the United States helped lead efforts to return Nazi-looted art through the work of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program—the “Monuments Men.” That effort recognized that cultural restitution was essential to rebuilding trust, stability, and lasting peace. As discussions about Ukraine’s future eventually take shape, the return of looted cultural property should not be overlooked. At Meridian, we believe cultural heritage and cultural diplomacy play an important role in strengthening international understanding and supporting durable peace. Read the full op-ed in The Hill: thehill.com/opinion/intern… #Ukraine #CulturalHeritage #Diplomacy #RuleOfLaw #InternationalSecurity #CulturalProperty

On February 27, Meridian International Center convened the kickoff session of the SME Global Space Cooperation Program, bringing together U.S. commercial space startups and small and medium-sized enterprises to explore the future of responsible global engagement in the space sector. The session featured remarks from Frank Justice (Meridian), Dean Hawes (Camber Research), John Carrico Jr. (Space Exploration Engineering), and Zehra Vahanvaty (U.S. Department of State’s Office of Space Affairs), who outlined the program’s structure, objectives, and the practical considerations shaping compliant international collaboration in commercial space. As global space activity accelerates, partnerships between government and industry remain essential to advancing U.S. leadership and strengthening international cooperation. Stay tuned for insights from Meridian’s Space Diplomacy Forum on March 25 to continue the conversation at the intersection of innovation, security, and global engagement. 🚀

How do our experts define open diplomacy? Watch as Meridian leaders break down why diplomacy remains essential to U.S. economic competitiveness, national security, and global partnerships. Featuring insights from T. H. Fred Hochberg, Jim Golsen, Natalie Jones, Max Bouchet, Hana Hausnerova, Puru Trivedi, Frank Justice, Kellee Wicker, TK Harvey, and Myra Best.   #OpenDiplomacy