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Blockchain Digital Assets Global Economy Illicit Finance Linking the Indo-Pacific to the Euro-Atlantic

31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security forum, Washington, DC/ Dec 9-10, 2025

9-10 December, 2025

Washington, DC

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Summary Report

Honored to follow the discussions from the 31st Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Forum in Washington, D.C., held on December 9–10, 2025. This global gathering highlights the urgent issues shaping today’s world—from national security and technological risks to international cooperation and democratic resilience. Grateful for the insights shared and for the continued commitment of leaders working toward a safer, more secure future.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xXdBpc2KZyVFN-elDUrmZ8wDWnqR1VH2/view?usp=sharing

Summary Report

Illicit Finance

Illicit finance and safeguarding financial integrity

Hon. Juan Zarate

Illicit Finance

Importance of free markets, responsible trading, and the proper use of financial tools

Mr. John Walsh

Illicit Finance

Digital kingpins and cryptocurrency

Ms. Lilita Infante

Global Economy, Illicit Finance

China assisting Myanmar’s military in developing digital payment systems

Hon. David Malpass

Linking the Indo-Pacific to the Euro-Atlantic

The development of economic corridors as a key tool for strengthening trade

Hon. Carla Sands

Linking the Indo-Pacific to the Euro-Atlantic

Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy

Mr. John Sitilides

Global Economy

Global economy facing a major imbalance

Hon. David Malpass

Blockchain, Digital Assets

Digital assets and blockchain technology

Hon. Brian Quintenz

Agenda

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025

QATAR EMBASSY

6:00 PM - WELCOME RECEPTION AT QATAR EMBASSY

His Excellency Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani - Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Washington

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025

KENNEDY CAUCUS ROOM 325, RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM - REGISTRATION/COFFEE

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM – OPENING REMARKS

Hon. Robert Pittenger - Chairman, Parliamentary Intelligence- Security Forum
Hon. Matt Pottinger - former National Security Advisor (video)

9:20 AM - 10:25 AM - ILLICIT FINANCE

Hon. Juan Zarate - Global Co-Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, K2 Integrity
Mr. John Walsh - President and Chief Executive Officer, SightSpan Inc.
Ms. Lilita Infante - Chief Executive Officer, CAT Labs, Former U.S. Department of Justice Special Agent
Mr. Dan Swift - Senior Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Economic and Financial Power

10:25 AM – 11:00 AM - LINKING THE INDO-PACIFIC TO THE EURO-ATLANTIC

Hon. Carla Sands - Vice Chair, Center for Energy and Environment, America First Policy Institute; former US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark
Mr. John Sitilides - Geopolitical Strategist, Trilogy Advisors LLC, and Senior Fellow (National Security Program), Foreign Policy Research Institute

11:00 AM – 11:25 AM – THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Hon. David Malpass - former President, The World Bank Group and former Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs

11:25 AM – 12:30 PM - BLOCKCHAIN / DIGITAL ASSETS

Hon. Brian Quintenz - former Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

Digital assets and blockchain technology

Hon. Brian Quintenz thanks the organizers and notes that digital assets have been discussed both as tools used in illicit finance and as tools that help law enforcement trace and…

Global economy facing a major imbalance

Hon. David Malpass emphasized that the global economy faces a major imbalance, with capital increasingly concentrated in wealthy countries while developing nations remain underfunded. He noted that the United States…

Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy

Mr. John Sitilides explained that the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy presents a clear and direct vision to reshape global relations after decades of post–Cold War thinking. He described…

The development of economic corridors as a key tool for strengthening trade

Honorable Carla Sands opened by thanking the organizers and highlighting the importance of the Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum. She emphasized that even countries not specifically mentioned in the U.S. National…

China assisting Myanmar’s military in developing digital payment systems

Mr. Dan Swift discussed how China is assisting Myanmar’s military in developing digital payment systems, including a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which could enable illicit finance flows at a…

Digital kingpins and cryptocurrency

Ms. Lilita Infante discussed the concept of the “digital kingpin,” criminals who exploit technology, particularly cryptocurrency, to scale their operations globally, likening them to modern-day Pablo Escobars. Drawing on over…

Importance of free markets, responsible trading, and the proper use of financial tools

Mr. John Walsh began by acknowledging the longevity and importance of the forum, emphasizing that sustained relationships and collaboration across nations are key to its success. Drawing on his Wall…

Illicit finance and safeguarding financial integrity

Honorable Michael McCaul opened by thanking Congressman Pittinger and the organizers for convening international parliamentarians, highlighting the forum as an important venue to discuss emerging global risks and shared challenges….