Dr Sari Arho Havrén - Speaker

Dr. Sari Arho Havrén is a geopolitical analyst and strategic foresight specialist with deep expertise in China’s foreign policy and international relations. Her work focuses on the dynamics of great power competition, the evolution of China’s global influence, and the implications of geopolitical change for Europe and Asia.
Sari brings over three decades of experience across academic, governmental and commercial sectors. She is currently a Senior Advisor for geopolitical foresight at Business Finland and an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). She is also a Visiting Researcher at the University of Helsinki and has previously held roles at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS).
Having lived and worked in mainland China and Hong Kong for 15 years, as well as in countries including Russia, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Belgium, Sari offers a grounded and nuanced perspective on international affairs. Her career has spanned innovation policy, strategic advisory, and cross-cultural leadership, with a particular focus on future trends, scenario planning, and Asia-Pacific geopolitics. She has led foresight initiatives for the Finnish government in both Asia and Europe, and has helped shape long-term policy thinking through her work in diplomacy, research and strategic planning.
Sari holds a PhD in international relations from the University of Helsinki, with additional studies in history, sinology, leadership and organisational design. She is a certified geopolitical futurist and has published widely on China’s external relations and regional dynamics in East and South East Asia.
Known for her clarity and depth of insight, Sari helps organisations and decision-makers navigate uncertainty by identifying emerging trends and connecting historical context with future scenarios. Her work enables more informed approaches to diplomacy, international strategy and the rapidly shifting global landscape.