Center for International Private Enterprise

10/21/2026

When business speaks with a strong, independent voice, economies grow stronger.

We’re honored to share that CIPE has been recognized as an “Advocacy Champion” by the Makati Business Club, Inc. (MBC) during its 45th anniversary celebration in Manila.

The recognition highlights CIPE and MBC’s longstanding partnership and shared commitment to strengthening the business environment and accountable governance in the Philippines, including efforts that help the business community advocate for reforms that advance ease of doing business and a level playing field.

This work not only supports private-sector growth in the Philippines but also helps strengthen the transparent, rules-based business environment that underpins U.S.-Philippines economic ties and investment.

CIPE Philippines Country Director Ryan Evangelista accepted the recognition on behalf of CIPE.
We are proud to celebrate this recognition with our partners and colleagues whose work continues to strengthen the private sector's voice in constructive policy dialogue.

10/21/2026

As a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, CIPE is proud to support the launch of the October 30 Coalition, a global initiative advocating for the freedom of political prisoners and supporting their families. Together with partners around the world, we're working to keep these cases on the international agenda and stand up for the fundamental rights and freedoms of those unjustly detained.

NED and partner organizations announce the formation of the October 30 Coalition and released a joint statement to rally support for political prisoners and champion their freedom.

10/20/2026

From the South Caucasus to Central Asia and the Western Balkans, leaders gathered in Armenia to build new partnerships and share practical lessons on strengthening the voice of business.

The conversations highlighted growing opportunities for regional cooperation, trade, investment, and engagement with international partners, including the United States.
🌍🇺🇸

AmCham Armenia
American Chamber of Commerce in Albania
Association of Business Women
AmCham BiH
AmCham Serbia
American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo
AmCham Kyrgyz Republic
Techno Women
Armenian HR Association

10/14/2026

This week in Prague, CIPE helped bring private-sector perspectives to some of the most important democracy and economic security debates shaping the international agenda.

At Forum 2000, one of the world's leading gatherings on democracy and the rules-based international order, CIPE organized discussions on debt transparency, China's expanding digital influence, and competition over critical minerals. We also co-hosted an evening salon on commercial diplomacy and trust-based economic partnerships.

These conversations highlighted a reality that is often overlooked: businesses are not just affected by issues like debt opacity, digital governance, and critical mineral supply chains. They are essential stakeholders in addressing them.

For the United States, these issues are increasingly tied to economic security. Transparent lending practices, trusted digital ecosystems, and resilient critical mineral supply chains are essential to strengthening democratic partners and creating a more competitive and secure global economy.

10/13/2026

Policy reform can unlock investment, expand opportunity, and strengthen digital access.

Through its support for private-sector advocacy in the Philippines, CIPE helped amplify the private sector’s voice in advancing reform efforts to implement the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which eliminated the legislative franchise requirement for data transmission providers and reduced regulatory barriers to new investment in broadband and digital infrastructure.

Working with the The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Joint Foreign Chambers through the Arangkada Initiative, CIPE supports coalition-based policy dialogue and advocacy to translate private-sector priorities into reforms that reduce regulatory barriers and open the digital infrastructure sector to greater competition.

The result: greater connectivity, more opportunities for businesses and communities, and a stronger foundation for innovation and economic growth.

For the United States, a more open and competitive digital market in the Philippines creates new opportunities for American technology and connectivity providers while supporting a more resilient and trusted digital ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific.

10/08/2026

CIPE officially launched preparations for the third B5+1 Forum, bringing together representatives from all five Central Asian countries, the U.S. Department of State, and private-sector partners at an event in Washington, D.C.

B5+1, the business counterpart to the C5+1 diplomatic platform, gives the private sector a voice in shaping reforms that strengthen regional economic integration and expand trade and investment between Central Asia and the United States.

Highlights from the launch:
➡️ Building on momentum: The first two Forums in Almaty and Bishkek marked the shift from national priorities to Regional Business Agendas across six key sectors.
➡️ Connecting business and policy: Private-sector priorities are increasingly informing broader C5+1 discussions, including on critical minerals and digitalization.

📍 Next stop: Dushanbe, Tajikistan, April 20-21, 2027, where the B5+1 community will continue turning private-sector priorities into practical reforms and new opportunities for trade and investment.

Learn More: bit.ly/4AXgVJ9

10/08/2026

Europe’s competitiveness challenge is often framed as a financing problem. But what if part of the solution is already looking for a place to invest?

In a new Atlantic Council policy brief, CIPE Senior Director for Strategy & Impact Jeff Lightfoot examines how Gulf sovereign wealth funds and European priorities are increasingly aligned at a moment of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The brief argues that Europe's investment gap and the Gulf's push to diversify capital create opportunities for deeper cooperation in areas critical to economic security and resilience, including:

✅ Ukrainian defense technology and dual-use innovation
✅ Data center redundancy and digital resilience
✅ Energy security and resilience infrastructure

Yet success is far from guaranteed. Strategic sectors face heightened investment screening, competition for capital remains intense, and the U.S. market continues to serve as the destination of choice for Gulf sovereign funds.

As Europe and the Gulf confront regional instability, shifting trade dynamics, and mounting security pressures, strategic investment partnerships could play an important role in strengthening both economic resilience and democratic security.

📥 Read the policy brief: bit.ly/4z63NQ6

Europe and the Gulf both stand to benefit from investing more in each region. Which projects make the most sense?

10/06/2026

📣It’s here!

Most critical minerals risk maps stop at the mine gate. The risks don't.

Ahead of the EITI Global Conference, CIPE is thrilled to announce that our new report, Mine-to-Market Governance Risk Mapping: Africa Edition, developed with TDi Sustainability, is now available for download.

Based on input from companies across the tungsten and tantalum value chains with a focus on the Great Lakes Region, Africa, from upstream to downstream, the report traces where governance risks emerge at every stage, from the pit to the buyer. Too often, risk assessments focus on extraction alone. This research offers practical recommendations for building more transparent, resilient, and competitive value chains.

📥 Download the report: bit.ly/4yDxvwc

10/01/2026

As AI reshapes economies, societies, and governance, a critical question remains: whose values will guide its future?

At CIPE's workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, leaders from civil society, business, technology, media, and government examined how democratic societies can harness AI's benefits while safeguarding transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Participants explored the growing competition between democratic and authoritarian approaches to digital governance, the importance of democratically-aligned technology ecosystems, and practical ways to strengthen democratic resilience through AI.

The discussion also underscored why digital governance matters beyond frontier models. As AI standards, platforms, and infrastructure increasingly shape global markets and information flows, ensuring they reflect democratic values is in the strategic interest of the United States and its partners.

Read more: bit.ly/4yZTblM

Catherine Tai
Andrew Wilson
Audrey Tang
Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang
Oluseyi Olufemi
Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET)
Dataphyte Foundation

09/24/2026

to CIPE impact in action.

In June, CIPE and partners from Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Colombia, Peru, and Mongolia shared lessons from the front lines of governance reform, highlighting practical ways to reduce corruption risks and strengthen investment climates.

Their experiences underscore a simple reality: transparent, rules-based markets are more resilient, more competitive, and better positioned to attract trusted investment.

That work continues today, helping strengthen economic security and advance U.S. interests globally.

Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development
AmCham Mongolia
GRADE, Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo
Эдийн засгийн бодлого өрсөлдөх чадварын судалгааны төв - EPCRC