Emerging markets are poised to drive world growth for much of the next century - and private equity investors are plotting their strategies as they attempt to navigate regional economic changes, political instability and societal conflict.

"We are participating in what I believe is an absolutely seminal 50-year transition," Jonathan Bond, partner at emerging markets investor Actis, said yesterday during the opening panel of the Global Private Equity Conference, hosted by International Finance Corp. and the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association in Washington, D.C.