Dr. Parag Khanna

Strategic Futurist, Globally Bestselling Author, Founder of FutureMap

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Dr. Parag Khanna's Biography

Dr. Parag Khanna is a visionary strategic futurist and globally bestselling author. He is the founder and managing partner of FutureMap, a boutique advisory firm that marries rigorous data analysis, sophisticated scenarios, and cutting-edge mapping to generate foresight for confident decision-making. A world-renowned authority on globalization, Dr. Khanna was named one of Esquire's “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century” and featured on WIRED's “Smart List”. Khanna is the leading forecaster of how our complex global system is rapidly evolving. He delivers data-rich visualizations that distill geopolitical, economic, and technological megatrends, and gives tailored and detailed presentations embodying his deep expertise and firsthand experiences in more than 150 countries. His engagements deliver strategically insightful and actionable value, including from FutureMap’s proprietary software Climate Alpha, the leading platform for forecasting asset values under diverse scenarios. Khanna has provided his foresight to over thirty governments, including serving as an advisor to the U.S. National Intelligence Council and on the Singapore government's Committee on the Future Economy. He has also served on the boards of numerous financial firms and technology companies. Parag’s analyses are regularly featured in influential media such as CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, BBC, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Financial Times, National Geographic, TIME, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy. Khanna was a featured speaker at TED in 2016 and TED Global in 2009, with his talks garnering more than three million views online. Khanna’s newest book is MOVE: The Forces Uprooting Us (2021), which was named one of the best books of 2021 by Financial Times and endorsed by famed experts Nouriel Roubini, Kim Stanley Robinson, Alec Ross, Balaji Srinivasan, and others. His book The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict, and Culture in the 21st Century (2019) earned high praise from Larry Summers, Jim Rogers, and many other luminaries. It was called “dazzling” by Kirkus Reviews and hailed as “authoritative… a standard reference,” by the Financial Times. Khanna is also the author of an authoritative trilogy on the future of world order beginning with the bestseller The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008), followed by How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011), and concluding with Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization (2016). These books garnered accolades from leading figures such as Eric Schmidt, Chuck Hagel, Fareed Zakaria, Mark Mobius, Robert Kaplan, Kevin Kelly, Martin Sorrell, and Klaus Schwab. The New York Times Book Review hailed Khanna as “a foreign policy whiz kid.” Khanna also authored two other books, Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) and Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2011) (co-authored with his wife Ayesha Khanna). The former was strongly endorsed by notable intellectuals such as Tyler Cowen and Lawrence Lessig, and the latter was celebrated by Alvin Toffler, Peter Diamandis, Peter Schwartz, and others. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages and received feature coverage in leading publications across the world.Before founding FutureMap, Khanna was a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at the National University of Singapore, as well as a senior fellow at New America and the Brookings Institution. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a senior geopolitical advisor to U.S. Special Operations Forces. He also worked at the World Economic Forum in Geneva and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Dr. Khanna holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. and M.A. from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He speaks German, Hindi, French, Spanish, and basic Arabic. He is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS
BOOKS

How megacities are changing the map of the world | Parag Khanna

Why Asia is the center of the world (again) | Parag Khanna | TEDxGateway

Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization | Parag Khanna | Talks at Google

WHY GLOBALISM WINS

MOVE

THE FUTURE IS ASIAN

SPEAKER TOPICS

Future of Humanity Speakers

Political Strategy Speakers

Future of Mobility & Smart Cities Speakers

Global Supply Chain Speakers

Global Economy Speakers

Sustainability Speakers

Future of Energy Speakers

BAME Speakers

Conference Speakers

Dr. Parag Khanna Keynote Topics

Global Scenarios For The Post-Pandemic World

In this keynote, our speaker Dr. Parag Khanna explores the geopolitical, economic, and social transformations accelerated by the pandemic. He presents data-driven scenarios that highlight how governments, businesses, and individuals can adapt to the new realities of globalization.

With deep foresight and global perspective, Dr. Khanna equips audiences with strategic tools to navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, and build resilience in the post-pandemic era.

The Global War For Young Talent

In this talk, Dr. Parag Khanna addresses the urgent competition among nations and corporations to attract and retain young talent. He explains how demographic shifts and mobility patterns are shaping the future of economies and societies.

Our speaker provides actionable strategies for leaders to win this war for talent—by fostering inclusive policies, global opportunities, and forward-looking workplaces that appeal to the next generation.

Climate Adaptation: This Century’s Highest Priority

In this session, Dr. Parag Khanna highlights climate adaptation as the defining challenge of our time. He demonstrates how businesses, cities, and nations must embrace innovative strategies to prepare for environmental disruptions.

Through FutureMap’s proprietary software and global insights, our speaker shows how climate adaptation drives competitiveness and resilience. This keynote inspires leaders to act decisively and sustainably for the future.

The Future Is Asian: Billions Of People, Trillions Of Dollars

In this keynote, Dr. Parag Khanna brings to life the economic, cultural, and political rise of Asia. He illustrates how billions of people and trillions of dollars are shifting the balance of global power.

With his unique expertise, our speaker provides a roadmap for organisations to seize opportunities in the Asian century. This talk inspires audiences to understand and engage with Asia as the most dynamic force in globalization today.

Global Financial Services

In this talk, Dr. Parag Khanna examines how global financial services are being reshaped by geopolitics, technology, and demographic changes. He provides data-rich analysis on the future of investment flows, capital markets, and financial hubs.

Our speaker equips leaders in the financial sector with insights to anticipate risks, identify growth opportunities, and build resilience in an interconnected global economy.

Transportation And Mobility: Automotive And Aviation

In this keynote, Dr. Parag Khanna explores the transformation of global mobility systems, from automotive innovation to the future of aviation. He highlights how technology, sustainability, and policy will shape the next era of transportation.

With case studies and strategic foresight, our speaker demonstrates how industries can adapt to evolving demands—delivering smarter, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions worldwide.

The Environment: Energy, Agriculture, Water, And Health

In this talk, Dr. Parag Khanna addresses the interconnections between critical resources—energy, agriculture, water, and health. He explains how these sectors form the backbone of sustainability and resilience in the 21st century.

Our speaker offers actionable strategies for leaders to balance growth with responsibility. This keynote inspires organisations to tackle environmental challenges holistically and create long-term value.

Real Estate, Construction, Infrastructure, And Logistics

In this keynote, Dr. Parag Khanna uncovers the global trends reshaping real estate, construction, infrastructure, and logistics. He explains how demographics, climate change, and technology are driving new demand patterns.

With sharp foresight, our speaker equips leaders with strategies to align investments and operations with future opportunities. This talk offers a comprehensive vision for industries at the heart of global development.

Dr. Parag Khanna's Biography

Khanna is the leading forecaster of how our complex global system is rapidly evolving. He delivers data-rich visualizations that distill geopolitical, economic, and technological megatrends, and gives tailored and detailed presentations embodying his deep expertise and firsthand experiences in more than 150 countries. His engagements deliver strategically insightful and actionable value, including from FutureMap’s proprietary software Climate Alpha, the leading platform for forecasting asset values under diverse scenarios.

Khanna has provided his foresight to over thirty governments, including serving as an advisor to the U.S. National Intelligence Council and on the Singapore government's Committee on the Future Economy. He has also served on the boards of numerous financial firms and technology companies.

Parag’s analyses are regularly featured in influential media such as CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, BBC, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Financial Times, National Geographic, TIME, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy. Khanna was a featured speaker at TED in 2016 and TED Global in 2009, with his talks garnering more than three million views online.

Khanna’s newest book is MOVE: The Forces Uprooting Us (2021), which was named one of the best books of 2021 by Financial Times and endorsed by famed experts Nouriel Roubini, Kim Stanley Robinson, Alec Ross, Balaji Srinivasan, and others. His book The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict, and Culture in the 21st Century (2019) earned high praise from Larry Summers, Jim Rogers, and many other luminaries. It was called “dazzling” by Kirkus Reviews and hailed as “authoritative… a standard reference,” by the Financial Times.

Khanna is also the author of an authoritative trilogy on the future of world order beginning with the bestseller The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008), followed by How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011), and concluding with Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization (2016). These books garnered accolades from leading figures such as Eric Schmidt, Chuck Hagel, Fareed Zakaria, Mark Mobius, Robert Kaplan, Kevin Kelly, Martin Sorrell, and Klaus Schwab. The New York Times Book Review hailed Khanna as “a foreign policy whiz kid.”

Khanna also authored two other books, Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) and Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2011) (co-authored with his wife Ayesha Khanna). The former was strongly endorsed by notable intellectuals such as Tyler Cowen and Lawrence Lessig, and the latter was celebrated by Alvin Toffler, Peter Diamandis, Peter Schwartz, and others. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages and received feature coverage in leading publications across the world.
Before founding FutureMap, Khanna was a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at the National University of Singapore, as well as a senior fellow at New America and the Brookings Institution. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a senior geopolitical advisor to U.S. Special Operations Forces. He also worked at the World Economic Forum in Geneva and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Dr. Khanna holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. and M.A. from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He speaks German, Hindi, French, Spanish, and basic Arabic. He is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.