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META UN presents: The State of Multilateralism “Multilateralism: A global view”

22. 1. 2026

META UN presents: The State of Multilateralism “Multilateralism: A global view”

The META-UN project is pleased to announce an upcoming event, “Multilateralism: A Global View”, as part of its new series of Roundtables, entitled The State of Multilateralism, taking place on 27 January 2026 in Palais des Nations, UN Geneva Library and Archives.

The series responds to the growing debate on the current challenges facing multilateral systems, particularly the United Nations and other international organisations. While multilateralism is often described as being in crisis, the roundtables aim to provide a more nuanced, global and historically grounded perspective. Bringing together scholars, practitioners from international organisations and representatives of civil society, the initiative seeks to foster deeper dialogue on the past, present and future of multilateral cooperation.


More detailed information about the event, including the full programme and list of participants, can be found in the attached document.


Programme

The State of Multilateralism

“Multilateralism: A global view”

Palais des Nations, UN Geneva Library and Archives, 27 January 2026


Introductory Remarks

Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle (Director of Library and Archives, UN Geneva)


Roundtable – Session 1: The state of multilaterlism (13:15-15:00)

Chair: Marine Pierre (University of Copenhagen)


Alanna O’Malley (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

The Global South and the UN: a long historical gaze


Jussi Hanhimäki (Graduate Institute)

The eclipse of American multilateralism? A historical perspective


Steen Rynning (University of Southern Denmark / DIAS)

Whither NATO? NATO’s many faces and the current situation


Lynda Chinenye Iroulo (Georgetown University)

The African Union – regionally and globally


15:00-15:50 – Coffee and Cake


Roundtable – Session 2: The future of multilateralism (16:00-17:45)

Chair: Morten Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)


Corinne Momal-Vanian (Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation)

What is the United Nations now? Scenarios ahead


Anna Ayuso Pozo (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs)

Latin American Perspectives on Multipolar Multilateralism


Marlene Wind (University of Copenhagen)

The EU – what kind of geopolitical actor has it been and what is it becoming?


Toni Sandell (Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship 2025)

Dialogue for what? The state and possible futures of the OSCE


18:30-20:00 – Reception at Mama & Zita




This event is organized by META-UN in partnership with CHIOS, HUM:Global, INNER_LEAGUE (ERC Consolidator Project)