• WPC 2024
  • March 18-22, 2024

Carlos Pascual

S&P Global Commodity Insights

Sr. Vice President Geopolitics and International Affairs

Carlos Pascual leads the integration of geopolitics, energy, climate change and markets for S&P Global Commodity Insights. He works with clients globally on the geopolitical challenges and opportunities that drive energy security, sustainability and affordability. Mr. Pascual also leads S&P Global Commodity Insights businesses in Latin America. Mr. Pascual was previously US Ambassador to both Mexico and Ukraine and was Special Assistant to the US president for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia on the National Security Council. As the former US Energy Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the State Department, Mr. Pascual established and directed the Energy Resources Bureau and served as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State on energy issues. Earlier, Mr. Pascual created the position of Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization in the State Department, establishing the first civilian response capacity to conflicts. Mr. Pascual is also a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Sessions With Carlos Pascual

Wednesday, 20 March

  • 08:15am - 10:00am (CST) / 20/mar/2024 01:15 pm - 20/mar/2024 03:00 pm

    Executive Conference Opening Session

    Positioning for the next Upturn as Energy and Materials Transition Accelerate

    8:15 AM: Welcome to WPC 2024 - Mark Eramo, Global Head of Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights    
    8:20 AM:  President's Welcome - Saugata Saha, President, S&P Global Commodity Insights  

    Setting the Stage - S&P Global Outlooks - Moderator: Lyn Tattum, Vice President, Head of Events, S&P Global Commodity Insights    
    8:25 AM:  It’s All About The Landing - Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist, S&P Global Ratings

    Following a synchronized rise in policy rates, growth is now unsynchronized across major economies. The U.S. is outperforming whereas in Europe activity is flat. The common macro thread comprises strong labor markets and spending on services, fiscal tailwinds, and lingering core price pressures. Inflation has likely peaked as have policy rates, but central banks are on guard against declaring victory too early. Our higher-for-longer view applies both to policy rates and market interest rates, real and nominal. Caution among developed market central banks is constraining potential rate cuts in emerging markets. The next macro challenge is to "stick the landing." The risks to our soft-landing baseline look balanced. Strong labor markets and fiscal tailwinds are driving the upside, whereas uncertainties about the lagged transmission of cumulative rate hikes since early 2022 are driving the downside.

    8:45AM: From Ideology to Pragmatism: Multidimensional Transition - Atul Arya, Senior Vice President, Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights 

    9:00 AM: Geopolitical Turmoil and Energy Challenges  - Carlos Pascual, Senior Vice President, Head of Geopolitics & International Affairs, S&P Global Commodity Insights
    9:20 AM: Continental Divide How North America and the Middle East create oil price cycles—and why this matters - Jim Burkhard, Vice President & Head of Research for Oil Markets, Energy and Mobility, S&P Global Commodity Insights
    9:40 AM: Q&A -  Moderator: Lyn Tattum, Vice President, Head of Events, S&P Global Commodity Insights