Abstract:
The world is in a geopolitical recession, marked by declining stability and cooperation in international relations. Unlike economic cycles, geopolitical cycles are less predictable and longer-lasting. We're experiencing the first major geopolitical downturn cycle since the 1980s, creating a complex environment for policymakers, diplomats, and analysts amid low trust and zero-sum interactions.
A major casualty of this recession is global governance institutions, especially the United Nations. Founded in a different era, these institutions struggle with relevance and effectiveness because of great power rivalries, undermining their legitimacy. Nations have three main strategies to address these challenges: reform current institutions, pivot to new or regional organizations, or act unilaterally with little cooperation. These strategies manifest globally: in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, unilateral actions are rising, while other nations enhance regional cooperation through groups like the EU, ASEAN, or BRICS.
In this talk, the speaker will address the critical question of whether there's potential to reform multilateral institutions like the UN. As the only organization with universal state membership and equal voice, the UN's future hinges on adapting to modern challenges. Whether reform can rejuvenate its role is a pressing debate in this geopolitical landscape.
Speaker: H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić
SPEAKERS / PERFORMERS:
H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić
President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), former President of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly, former Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vuk Jeremić is the President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), a global public policy think tank, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly magazine Horizons. He is a Professor of Practice at the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs and a Senior Advisor at Eurasia Group, a leading firm in geopolitical risk analysis. He also serves as a Trustee of the Cambridge China Development Trust (CCDT) and is a Member of the Governing Council of Hong Kong’s One Earth Alliance. Mr. Jeremić held the position of Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2012. In June 2012, he was elected by a majority of nations to serve as President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, marking the first contested vote since the end of the Cold War. During his term in office, he played a leading role in steering the UN towards the establishment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. Jeremić received his formal education from Cambridge University and Harvard University.
Language:
English
Registration: