Thursday, September 2, 2010

"The Asian Oil Dilemma: What's Next After the Sudanese Referendum?"

I will be a discussant at the event on Sept. 16 at the Asia Society Washington. RSVP by Sept. 13 here.

Here's the blurb:
Join journalist, photographer, and author of The Black Nile Dan Morrison as he presents his perspectives on how oil exploration is likely to develop in a divided Sudan and the possible implications of the January referendum on Sudan's future economic dealings with Asia.

In 2011, the people of South Sudan will vote in a referendum that will determine the country's political and economic future. Should they stay united with their former adversaries in the north, or secede from Africa's biggest state?

Sudan's Asian investors are closely monitoring developments in the oil-rich nation. Over the past decade, Sudan has sold almost 70 percent of its oil to Beijing, making this conflict-plagued state the top recipient of Chinese investment, according to Forbes. Other Asian nations, including Malaysia and India, have also made inroads in Sudan's oil sector.

With a range of on-the-ground sources and first-hand experience reporting from Sudan's disputed oil fields, Morrison will also share anecdotes of his source-to-sea journey down the Nile River.