Vice President Biden to speak at McCain Institute's annual Sedona Forum

The McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University has announced that Vice President Joe Biden will participate in a conversation with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during the opening dinner of the institute's annual Sedona Forum Friday, April 26, in Sedona, Ariz.

"We at Arizona State University are proud to have Vice President Biden and so many other distinguished leaders involved with the McCain Institute," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "Their participation in the Sedona Forum ensures a thought-provoking weekend."

A private, closed event, the Sedona Forum is an annual, high-level conclave of national and international leaders from the public and private sectors brought together by the McCain Institute for focused discussions on national security and foreign policy issues, promoting economic freedom and prosperity and advancing human rights around the world.

"I am very pleased that Vice President Joe Biden, my friend of many years, will speak at this year’s Sedona Forum," said Senator John McCain. "From his decades of experience in foreign policy in the Senate to his critical role in the White House today, Vice President Biden has a unique perspective on America's role in this complex and dangerous world. We are pleased that he is joining this important gathering in Sedona and look forward to hearing from him."

The theme for this year's forum is "How Can We Promote Freedom and Democracy Effectively?"

Participants in this year's forum will include GE chairman and CEO and McCain Institute board member Jeff Immelt, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon, Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay, former Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, former Belarus Presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov, former NBA star and humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo, General Jack Keane (Ret.), ASU President Michael M. Crow, Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Kyl (R-AZ, Ret.), Joe Lieberman (I-CT, Ret.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), among many others.

The inaugural Sedona Forum, held last year, featured remarks from former CIA director David Petraeus; director, actor and activist Ben Affleck and five U.S. senators.

Registration for this event is full. Media interested in covering Friday evening's dinner conversation featuring Biden and McCain must apply for press credentials with the McCain Institute. To apply, contact Meghan Latcovich at meghan.latcovich@asu.edu or 571-481-6727.