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ACUNS Annual Meeting 2026 and Global Policy Dialogue on Delivering the Pact

Event Summary

Contributed by ACUNS, Global Governance Innovation Network

Posted 5 February 2026

   

Global Policy Dialogue Summary Report | Download Here

(Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal | Wednesday, 1 July – Friday, 3 July)

Global Policy Dialogue: In Defense of Multilateralism through the Pact

Building on the Global Governance Innovation Network's annual series, this year's Global Policy Dialogue at the ACUNS Annual Meeting ’26 focused specifically on themes of innovation — across international institutions, laws, policies, operational tools, and norms — in the spheres of global peace and security, global economic and social governance, and justice reform, with particular attention to delivering on related Pact for the Future Actions and/or the three defined work streams of the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative. The sessions are closely aligned with the launch of the Global Governance Innovation Report 2026: Advancing the Pact for the Future and a New Peace & Security Architecture.

Global Policy Dialogue Summary Report | Download Here

  • GPD Roundtable 1: Justice, the Rule of Law, the Role of International Courts, and Pact Follow-through
    • THURS, JULY 2-B1 SESSIONS: 9:00 am - 10:15 am (UTC+1) | Join Zoom Here
  • GPD Roundtable 2: Global Peace and Security and Pact Follow-through
    • FRI, JULY 3-C2 SESSIONS: 9:30 am - 10:45 am (UTC+1) | Join Zoom Here
  • GPD Roundtable 3: Global Economic and Social Governance and Pact Follow-through
    • FRI, JULY 3-C2 SESSIONS: 9:30 am - 10:45 am (UTC+1) | Join Zoom Here
  • GPD Plenary: Global Policy Dialogue: Readouts & Feedback

ACUNS Annual Meeting 2026 on "Multilateralism under Challenge and the Future of the Pact"

The Annual Meeting will critically assess the UN system’s capacity to facilitate multilateral cooperation and reflect on its performance since the last comprehensive UN system-wide reform effort, the UN60 World Summit in 2005. Through an open application process (Sept. 2025-mid-Jan. 2026), we invited panels, roundtables, and paper submissions from around the world that examine challenges to multilateralism in current or previous times, how they have been and can be overcome, and what opportunities they provide. We also welcomed contributions that focus on the tension between power and norms, between political declarations and actions/implementation in various fields.

Check out the "How to Publish in the ACUNS Journal Global Governance?" Information Session on July 2, 2026, 09:00-10:15 (UTC+1) | See more details here.

The 2026 ACUNS Annual Meeting will examine how multilateral governance can be maintained despite challenges from major and emerging powers, continuing armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, an overheated planet, and other crises. In September 2024, the Summit of the Future galvanized attention worldwide on rebuilding trust and gaps in global governance; reaffirming the UN Charter, 2030 Agenda, and other existing commitments; and renewing the multilateral system to prepare for over-the-horizon challenges and opportunities. Responding to unilateral funding cuts by the world body’s largest donor, the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative, in 2025, is intended to streamline and consolidate the UN system, while building momentum for delivery of the Pact for the Future – the 2024 Summit’s chief outcome – in the run-up to its 2028 high-level review. Together, the Pact and UN80 aspire to re-commit Member States  to multilateral cooperation and international law and to reform global institutions toward resilience, equity, innovation, and intergenerational justice. The current international climate calls into question some aspects of these hopeful scenarios.

Plenary Sessions

Global Policy Dialogue Summary Report | Download Here

Global Policy Dialogue Plenary - Readout and Feedback: In Defense of Multilateralism through the Pact | Watch here on YouTube

Opening Plenary Panel - Challenge to the International Order | Watch here on YouTube

Plenary Roundtable - UN Peacekeeping in a Divided World: Achievements and Challenges | Watch here on YouTube

Plenary Roundtable - New Leadership at the United Nations | Watch here on YouTube

Plenary on the Future of the Pact - Two Years to Go and Beyond: Global Governance Innovation and the Future of the Pact | Watch here on YouTube

    To be added to the invitation list to participate in this Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue — involving senior UN officials and members of Lisbon’s Diplomatic Corps, please write to Rebecca Snyder, Global Governance Innovation Network Coordinator ([email protected]).

    Global Policy Dialogue at the ACUNS Annual Meeting

    THURS-B1. Roundtable 11. 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM (UTC+1) | Global Policy Dialogue 1: Justice, the Rule of Law, the Role of International Courts, and Pact Follow-through | Join Zoom Here

    Joris LARIK, (Chair) Leiden University and Global Governance Innovation Network 
    Ian JOHNSTONE, The Fletcher School
    Charlotte KU, Texas A&M University School of Law
    Alistair EDGAR, Wilfrid Laurier University
    Maja GROFF, Climate Governance Commission [v]
    Heather HURLBURT, Chatham House
    Nancy OKAIL, Center for International Policy
    Rebecca A. SHOOT, Washington Working Group for the International Criminal Court and ImPact Coalition on Strengthening International Judicial Institutions
    Silvia SCARPA, John Cabot University

    FRI-C2. Roundtable 15. 9:20 AM -10:35 AM (UTC+1), Room TBA | Global Policy Dialogue 2: Global Peace and Security and Pact Follow-through | Join Zoom Here

    Karim MAKDISI, (Chair), American University of Beirut
    Ms Élise RACICOT, H.E. the Ambassador of Canada (Lead off)
    Nancy OKAIL, Center for International Policy
    Lise HOWARD, Georgetown University
    Heather HURLBURT, Chatham House
    Cristina STEFAN, University of LEEDS
    Waheguru Pal SIDHU, New York University
    Mohammed CHIHI, Global Institute for Strategic Research at Hanicomad Bin Khalifa University [v]
    Alyn WARE, World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
    Katarina MANSSON, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

    FRI-C2. Roundtable 16. 9:20 AM- 10:35 AM (UTC+1), Room | Global Policy Dialogue 3: Global Economic and Social Governance and Pact Follow-through | Join Zoom Here

    H.E. Amb. Michal MLYNAR, Special Coordinator for Slovakia’s UN Security Council Bid (2028-2029) and former UN Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations (2017-2023)
    Adriana ABDENUR, (Chair) Global Fund for a New Economy
    Peter MIDDLEBROOK, Geopolicity
    Mikatekiso KUBAYI, University of Johannesburg and Institute for Global Dialogue
    R. SUDARSHAN, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy
    Maria Joao RODRIGUES, Re-Imagine Europa
    Felix DODDS, UNC Water Institute
    Edna RAMIREZ ROBLES, University of Guadalajara, CUCosta [v]
    Stephen MARKS, Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development
    Michael FRANCZAK, UNU-CPR

    FRI. 12:00-1:00 PM | GPD Plenary: Global Policy Dialogue: Readouts & Feedback | Join Zoom Here

    GGIN'S ACUNS Spotlight

    • Wed 12:00-13:15 | Continuity and Contestation: The G20 at a Crossroads and its Implications for the UN System | Join Zoom Here
    • Wed 13:30-14:45 | GGIN Policy Brief Workshop: Innovating Global Governance in an Age of Geopolitical Strife | Join Zoom Here
    • Wed 13:30-14:45 | Accountability in Action: Toolkits and Metrics for Monitoring the Pact for the Future | Join Zoom Here
    • Thurs 09:00-10:15 | GPD 1: Justice, the Rule of Law, the Role of International Courts, and Pact Follow-through | Join Zoom Here
    • Thurs 09:00-10:15 | Current challenges to multilateralism as we know it, and what to do about it | Join Zoom Here
    • Thurs 10:50-12:05 | Electing the Next Secretary-General: Challenges for Multilateral Institutions | Join Zoom Here
    • Thurs 14:35-15:50 | Advancing the Pact for the Future and a New Peace & Security Architecture: Launch of Global Governance Innovation Report 2026 (GGIR’26) | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 08:00-09:15 | Peace, Security, and Conflict Prevention: Perspectives from the Global South and Beyond | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 09:20-10:35 | GPD 2: Global Peace and Security and Pact Follow-Through | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 09:20-10:35 | GPD 3: Global Economic and Social Governance and Pact Follow-through | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 12:05-13:05 | GPD Plenary Session: In Defense of Multilateralism through the Pact | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 14:25-15:40 | Beyond Nostalgia: Rethinking the U.S.’ Role in a Fast Transforming World Order | Join Zoom Here

    Middle East and North Africa Research Advancement (MENARA) Sessions

    • Wed 13:30-14:45 | Peace and Security in the MENA Region | Join Zoom Here
      • Mudassar Ali BAIG (Chair), Global Institute for Strategic Research, Doha (V)
      • Richard PONZIO, Stimson Center
      • Brigitte CURMI, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
      • Zeynep ALEMDAR, EDAM, Istanbul (V)
      • Omar ACHOUR, Doha Institute
      • Karim MAKDISI, American University of Beirut 
      • Mona Ali KHALIL, MAK Law International (V)
    • Fri 14:25-15:40 | Multilateralism and Regional Organizations in a Transactional World | Join Zoom Here
      • Zeynep ALEMDAR (Chair), EDAM (V)
      • Said Abou KHARROUB, CivAPI
      • Adriana ABDENUR,  Global Fund for a New Economy
      • Mikatekiso KUBAYI,  Institute for Global Dialogue

    African Research Network for Regional and Global Governance Innovation (ANUMDI) Sessions

    • Thurs 10:50-12:05 | International Law in Volatile Times | Join Zoom Here
      • Jimoh Victor LAWAL (Chair), Nigerian Bar
      • Zakaria Ousman RAMADAN, Chadian Centre for Strategic Studies and Prospective Research
      • Simon HANDY, Independent Researcher
      • Louiza ODINGO, Digital Policy Consultant
      • Joseph Olusegun BOLARINWA, National Institute of International Affairs, Lagos
    • Thurs 14:35-3:50 | Peace and Security in the New World Order | Join Zoom Here
      • Ademola LAWAL (Chair), Savannah Center, ANUMDI
      • Naila SALIHU, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (V)
      • Zakaria Ousman RAMADAN, Chadian Centre for Strategic Studies and Prospective Research
      • Milton NYAMADZAWO, Hub for African Peace and Innovation
      • Mikatekiso KUBAYI, Institute for Global Dialogue
    • Fri 08:00-09:15 | Challenges to Reforming Multilateral Institutions and Possible Solutions and Opportunities | Join Zoom Here
      • Simon HANDY (Chair) Independent Researcher
      • Alice A. ODINGO, University of Nairobi
      • Mikatekiso KUBAYI, Institute for Global Dialogue
      • Emmaculate ASIGE, Institute for Security Studies
      • Sani BALA, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development
    • Fri 09:00-09:15 | Peace, Security, and Conflict Prevention: Perspectives from the Global South and Beyond | Join Zoom Here
      • Ademola LAWAL (Chair), Savannah Center, ANUMDI
      • Chris KWAJA (Discussant), Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University
      • David OMONA ANDREW, Uganda Christian University: The Global South and Global Peace, Security, and Conflict Prevention Agenda
      • Daniya SHAH, St. Joseph’s University, India and Neil Lincoln TANNEN, St. Joseph’s University, India: Early Warning, Legitimate Action: India’s Conflict Prevention Capacity in the Global South
      • Olutomiwa BINUYO, University of the Western Cape: When Policy Solutions Generate Conflict: The Legitimacy Gap in Nigeria’s RUGA Policy and Germany’s Energiewende 
      • John YUHAS, University of Ljubljana: From Mercenaries to Peacekeepers? The Evolving Role of Private Military Companies in International Peace Operations
      • Parousia SHIKWAMBANE, Institute for Global Dialogue: Humanitarian Implications of the SAF and RSF: Using Famine as a Weapon of War
      • Maria ZAFAR, O.P. Jindal Global University, India (V): Historical Narratives of Peace and Solidarity: Path to Social Justice in India

    Other Related Sessions

    • Thurs 09:00-10:15 | How to Publish in the ACUNS Journal Global Governance? Information Session [See more details here]
    • Fri 09:20-10:35 | Youth Engagement in the Future of the UN: the 2024 Summit of the Future and Beyond | Join Zoom Here
    • Fri 14:25-15:40 | Anticipatory Governance and the Pact for the Future: Leveraging Foresight for Multilateral Reform | Join Zoom Here

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    2026 ACUNS GPD Summary Report

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