With leadership in the global economy and in the energy industry increasingly up for grabs among new players and established giants, demonstrating leadership and innovation has become an essential tool for attracting investors and placating regulators.

Oil giant Chevron has staked out its territory in the leadership race today with the announcement of a “groundbreaking” strategic partnership with the Washington, DC-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Developing and presenting actionable and bipartisan policy recommendations for sustainable development by 2012 is core to the partnership, the energy firm and the think thank said in announcing the new effort.

“This strategic partnership combines Chevron’s innovative, private sector approach to economic development with CSIS’ regional and issues-based expertise,” Chevron vice president for Policy, Government and Public Affairs Steve Green said today.

The two groups dragged out some heavy political hitters to underline their commitment to the cause of global development, with the forum’s inaugural session featuring former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former US National Security Advisor James Jones.