The 2024 Concordia Summit came to a close on Wednesday afternoon with a lineup of international speakers and a lasting impression of eminent global change.
At 9:35 a.m., His Royal Highness Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia attended a panel as a forward-thinking leader with a focus on sustainability and social progress. Prince Abdulaziz is deeply involved in numerous initiatives aimed at improving global education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Prince Abdulaziz serves as the Chairman of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), an organization that promotes sustainable human development with a special emphasis on combating poverty through financial inclusion and education. AGFUND has been instrumental in launching various microfinance initiatives and supporting projects aimed at empowering women, promoting education, and enhancing healthcare across the Arab region and beyond.
Reflections on the past and looking forward through Concordia 2024
George Logothetis, executive chairman of the Libra Group and co-chair of Concordia’s Leadership council, reflected on the conference’s achievements through an opening keynote speech which emphasized his confidence in the organization: “Faith in Faith.”
“The greatest joy comes from the joy of achievement—envisioning the architecture of possibility, then witnessing it become real whilst continually being enabled to have faith in faith,” said Logothetis.
“This May, I visited an organization in Greece that cares for children with cancer…young children who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancers of every type. We met with the children, spoke to them: they sang songs of joy to us,” continued Logothetis.
“I was once like them, a sick child, which I shared with them. I said to them, you are heroes. Real heroes,” Logothetis added.
Logothetis had suffered for most of his life due to complications from a disease in his early childhood. “You need to always remember the power within—you of a strong mind—to overcome a fragile body; something I know too well.”
Logothetis reiterated the emotional impact of the visit and how pleased he was to find the children in good spirits rather than crying. He recalled an administrator at the organization, Maria, who said to him (in Greek), “We do not cry here, Mr. Logothetis.”
Logothetis says that this taught him endurance, and to “never give up.”
Another notable discussion centered on the growing importance of LGBTQIA+ representation in global governance. Experts, including Dr. Shereen El Feki and H.E. Paolo Rondelli, an openly gay Sammarinese who was previously head of state, shared insights into the progress made in recent years and the challenges that still exist in ensuring fair and equitable representation for LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide.
The day’s programming continued with Dr. Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, a Greek American, being awarded the 2024 Concordia Leadership Award for his contributions to global health, particularly during the pandemic.
Concluding the event, interviewer Dr. Ian Bremmer asked Bourla what his greatest failing was as a leader, to which Bourla responded, “There are people that are more on the optimistic side of things, and there are people who are on the more pessimistic side of things.”
“I’m way into the optimistic side of things” continued Bourla. “I am thinking that nothing is impossible…I think that was a very big part of my success, but [it can also] become the reason for some big failures.”
“So, I surround myself with pessimists,” he added.
Foreign policy also took center stage in the afternoon, and this major theme was carried on throughout the conference. A panel on Latin America and the Caribbean’s economic growth examined the region’s opportunities and obstacles, while a separate conversation with María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s opposition movement, shed light on the country’s ongoing political crisis and the international community’s role in supporting democratic efforts.
A panel of West Point cadets was particularly impactful in the realm of security. These cadets, representing the future of US military leadership, brought unique perspectives on topics ranging from civility in global discourse to the importance of leadership in crisis situations. As part of the session titled “Exploring Civility and Global Perspectives,” the cadets participated in dialogue that emphasized the importance of empathy, discipline, and collaboration in tackling international challenges.
When asked what the ultimate sacrifice meant to her at the end of the panel, a Greek American cadet, Annelise Agelopoulos told the panel host, Dr. Frank Lutz, “Honestly, what it reminds me of is a C.S. Lewis quote which I repeat to myself often: ‘It is not your business to succeed, but to do right. When you do that, the rest lies with god.’”
“To me, that is how I live my life, and that is the ultimate sacrifice,” Agelopoulos said.
Agelopoulos’ paternal family hails from Tripoli, while her mother is Argentinian. She cites her Greek and Argentinian heritage—her parents are both immigrants—as the reason she went into the service, originating from both countries’ compulsory military service and her family’s emphasis on the value of wearing a uniform, though Argentina no longer has a policy of military conscription.
“For me, I see [my identity] as an asset to my career as an officer,” Agelopoulos told Greek Reporter. “The way that I understand different cultures, and the way I will understand foreign policy when I commission, I think, is entirely different from most of my American peers.”
“I think it’s super important for American officers to be well-versed and well-traveled,” continued Agelopoulos. “I would love to work in international law.”
“I want people to know that it’s about selfless service,” she said. “It’s not just the American industrial complex. We care about the wellbeing of our soldiers, and everyone else around the world as well.”
As the day wound down, attendees heard from Iraq Prime Minister H.E. Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani in a candid conversation about his country’s future. The summit concluded with closing remarks from Hanne LeCount, as well, marking the end of three days of intense dialogue, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating sustainable solutions for global challenges.
The event exemplified Concordia’s mission of fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, ensuring diverse voices and perspectives were heard in discussions that will shape the future of global policy and partnerships.
