UNited for a New, Fair and Inclusive Multilateralism – Online International Conference

2020 is the starting point for the United Nations system to discuss the reform of the multilateral system, built 75 years ago in a very different context. The escalating global health, climate and economic crises have led to a further deterioration of the world order as we knew it. Recovery requires urgent and reinforced cooperation at the international level. Our shared problems demand new shared solutions and to do so we need a new, fair and inclusive multilateralism able to cope with new shared challenges.

Video also available in French

Against this backdrop, and in order to both protect and renew the multilateral agenda, FEPS and its partner organisations worked for months with high-level experts from across the world to develop a blueprint for a renewed multilateralism. The results of this work were presented at the “UNited for a New, Fair and Inclusive Multilateralism” conference, which took place on the eve of the UN General Assembly, on September 18.

We had the chance to hear valuable insights from influential political and academic figures as Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, Former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic Martin Ziguélé, Malaysian Former Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng, Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden, and many more.

11:00 EST/17:00 CEST
Opening/Presentation on A New, Fair and Inclusive Multilateralism.

• Maria João Rodrigues, President, Foundation for European Progressive Studies

11:10 EST/17:10 CEST
Keynote speech

• Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences and Professor, Columbia University, New York  

11:25 EST/17:25 CEST
Panel 1 – What kind of new multilateralism does the world need?

In a world which is increasingly vulnerable, unequal and unfair, which is constantly transforming, and in which resources and wealth are more and more concentrated in the hands of a few, what kind of multilateralism do we need in order to correct those imbalances, promote international cooperation and ensure democratic participation and involvement of a larger range of stakeholders in global processes? What kind of changes are to be introduced in the UN system in order to achieve those goals? What can be the role of regional organisations?

• Amitav Acharya, Distinguished Professor, School of International Service, American University Washington D.C., Canada
• Monica Hirst, Professor of International Affairs, Torcuato di Tella University in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Professor, IESP-State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress, USA
• Chaired by Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, President, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy

12:10 EST/18:10 CEST
Keynote speech over the role of the EU in the multilateral system

• Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission
• Chaired by Mario Telò, Professor of International Relations, LUISS Guido Carli and Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

12:25 EST/18:25 CEST
Panel 2 – A new, fair and inclusive multilateralism. How to deliver a progressive alternative

Progressive forces all over the world have a duty and a window of opportunity to shape a new better, fairer and more inclusive multilateral system, capable to address the many common global challenges that the world is facing. What should the main global policy priorities that progressive forces should address? How can the UN architecture be reformed in order to deliver on those priorities?

• Sergei Stanishev, President, Party of European Socialists; Member of the European Parliament, Bulgaria
• Lim Guan Eng, Former Minister of Finance; Member of Parliament, Malaysia
• Johanna Ortega, President, International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), Paraguay
• Martin Ziguélé, Former Prime Minister, Central African Republic; President of the Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People
• Chaired by Conny Reuter, Global Coordinator, Progressive Alliance

13:10 EST/19:10 CEST
Closing session

• Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General António Guterres on the Commemoration of the United Nations 75th Anniversary
• Heiko Maas, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany 
• Conducted by Michael Bröning, Executive Director, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York Office

FEPS ‘UNited for’ conferences, have been held since 2018 in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly. The main objective of this yearly initiative is to discuss, with high-level international policymakers, experts, and academics, the most important international issues at stake. The 2020 edition explored how to achieve a new, fair and inclusive multilateralism. Previous editions have focused on migration and climate justice.

In 2019, FEPS was honoured to be granted Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the highest status granted by the UN to non-governmental organisations, thus allowing it to participate in the UN’s work.