Shaping the Path Forward: IE University hosts discussion on the Future of Multilateralism

Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia (2007-2012) and President of Club de Madrid, presented the recently published report of the UNSG High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism (HLAB) titled “A Breakthrough for People and Planet.”, at IE University in Madrid.

In 2022, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres brought together a group of 12 prominent figures from politics, civil society, the private sector, and academia to establish the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, with Danilo Türk as a member. This group was tasked with identifying concrete and actionable recommendations to support a step change in international cooperation to address shared global challenges, advance Agenda 2030 and achieve a more effective, interconnected and inclusive multilateral system.

Ángel Alonso, Vice Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, and moderator of this event co-organized with Club de Madrid, stated: "This report by the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism established by UN Secretary-General Guterres presents a set of bold proposals to update our global governance mechanisms and make them better suited to address the challenges and demands arising from our increased interdependence."

"We are delighted to host this presentation at IE University, highlighting our school's commitment to advancing discussions on improving multilateralism and involving younger voices, such as those of our students, in the debate."
Ángel Alonso, Vice Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs

The event at IE Tower commenced with opening remarks from Manuel Muñiz, Provost of IE University and Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, and María Elena Agüero, Secretary-General of Club de Madrid. Manuel Muñiz highlighted that the content of this report is “particularly timely”, since it includes the main topics as we enter a new phase of multilateral architecture.

María Elena Agüero pointed out that it should also serve to understand how the new multilateral order is going to help us achieve the goals that we have set.

Danilo Türk explained why it is so difficult for multilateral institutions to act effectively in a world that is suffering such a serious change and is becoming much more multipolar, and he went through the six transformative shifts identified in the report,  which consist of several necessary changes , such as: revitalized trust in multilateralism, planet and people, global finance, digital and data governance, peace and prevention and anticipatory action. He also showed an optimistic vision of the future.

“If you wish to deal with multilateralism you have to be an optimist.”
Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia and President of Club de Madrid

In addition to presenting the report, Mr. Türk participated in a panel discussion on views, proposals and reactions to the HLAB from three different perspectives - public sector, private sector, and civil society - followed by an open exchange with the audience. In the panel, Antonio Vargas, Head of Public Policy for Iberia at Amazon Web Services (AWS), highlighted the role of the private sector in reaching sustainable development goals. On her side, Sophie Müller, UNHCR representative to Spain, talked about stateless and displaced people and their role in peace building, and expressed that the SDGs “will bring us all together”.

Cecilia Robles, General Director for the United Nations, International Organizations, and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), delivered the closing remarks. In her opinion, this report is “bold but not disruptive, it builds trust, it adds value by greater inclusion, which leads to greater legitimacy, and greater efficiency.”