In his keynote address at the Middle East Institute's 60th Annual Conference, US Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman discussed the need for diversifying energy sources in order to sustain global growth. Without diversification, developing nations will struggle to access increasingly costly fuel and environmental degradation will worsen. The private sector and government play a critical role in providing new energy solutions. In addition, states must transcend their narrow national interests and create cooperative solutions to overcome today's energy challenges.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs John Hillen laid out a new security architecture for US relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council. He stressed the need for multilateral cooperation in seven key areas in order to face new challenges involving Iraq and Iran.