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Immediate Release

Secretary Carter Welcomes World Economic Forum to Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter welcomes the World Economic Forum to the Pentagon Sept. 30 for a two-day discussion of national security issues and collaboration between the public and private sector. The secretary and top officials within the department will engage with business leaders as well as experts from academia and the think tank community. The discussion kicks off Wednesday night with a dinner at the Pentagon hosted by the World Economic Forum that will feature a moderated conversation between WEF CEO Klaus Schwab with Secretary Carter and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. During the dinner, the secretary will also announce the winner of the inaugural Innovators in Defense, Enterprise, Academia and Science (IDEAS) award to an individual who has built bridges between the public and private sector. The Secretary's opening remarks, the award presentation and the moderated conversation will be open to the press. The remainder of the dinner will be closed to press.

On Oct. 1, participants will return to the Pentagon to join Department of Defense officials for a series of breakout sessions on cybersecurity, innovation and talent management. There will be a media photo spray during the secretary's opening remarks. A media readout will take place at the conclusion of the breakout sessions. Participants in the talks may also make themselves available for media questions.

Summary of media opportunities:

.               Sept. 30, 7 p.m.: Conversation between Secretaries Carter and Pritzker moderated by Klaus Schwab. IDEAS award presentation.

.               Oct. 1, 11:40 a.m.: Photo spray of Secretary Carter delivering remarks to the assembled World Economic Forum and Department of Defense attendees.

.               Oct.  1, 12:30 p.m.: Media readout on breakout sessions and possible pull-aside interview opportunities with World Economic Forum participants.

Media interested in attending the open-press portions of Sept. 30 or Oct. 1 must RSVP to Johnny Michael at johnny.i.michael2.civ@mail.mil.  RSVPs will be confirmed on a first come, first serve basis due to limited space at each event.

 

Note: Thursday's sessions would be cancelled in the event of a government shutdown.