High-Level Dialogue of the Global Commission of Democracy and Multilateralism: 'From Recommendations to Implementation: Advancing Democracy through Multilateral Cooperation'

The Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism, convened by Club de Madrid together with International IDEA, the Open Government Partnership and the European Democracy Hub, in partnership with Switzerland, the Ford Foundation and Bosch Foundation, brings together former Heads of State and Government, senior international leaders and democracy experts to propose ways to support the multilateral system’s capacity to strengthen democracy, at a time of unparalleled threats to both democracy and multilateralism. 

During UNGA High-Level Week 2026, the Commission will launch its final report and present a focused set of recommendations for discussion. This high-level dialogue will bring together Commissioners, UN Member States and key stakeholders of the multilateral system to discuss the recommendations, assess their political feasibility and identify pathways for implementation. The embargoed report will be shared with participants ahead of the meeting in early September.

AGENDA

By Invitation Only  

15:00    Introduction and Moderation of Event

Martin Abregu, Global Commission Member and Vice President of International Programs, Ford Foundation

15:05  Opening Remarks

 Ambassador Paul Garnier, Head of UN Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Switzerland

15:10-15:35   Presentation of Global Commission report

• George Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011) , Member of Club de Madrid, former and Chair of the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism
• Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA and Vice-Chair of the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism

• Aminata Touré, Prime Minister of Senegal (2013–2014), Member of Club de Madrid and Vice-Chair of the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism

   

15:35-16:10       Panel Discussion

• Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile (2006–2010; 2014–2018) and Member of Club de Madrid (TBC)
• Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2007–2010), Member of Club de Madrid
• Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica (2010-2014) and President of Club de Madrid
• Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana (2018–2024) and Member of Club de Madrid
• Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden (2014–2021) and Member of Club de Madrid
• Aidan Eyakuze, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Open Government Partnership (OGP)

16:10-16:55     High-Level Dialogue: Political Feasibility and Implementation Pathways

Q&A and moderated exchange between Commissioners, Member States and key stakeholders on selected recommendations from the final report, with statements by selected speakers: 

List of speakers: 

• Barbados: H.E. Christopher Sinckler, Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados

• Timor-Leste: H.E. Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

• Norway: H.E. Anders Kravik, Deputy Foreign Minister

• United Kingdom: H.E. Christopher Elmore, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean

• Netherlands: Mr. Mark Zellenrath, Director Multilateral Organizations and Human Rights Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Sweden: H.E. Charlotta Schlyter, Deputy Director General/Deputy Head of Department for Multilateral Governance and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Hungary: H.E. István Lakatos, Deputy State Secretary for International Cooperation

• OHCHR: H.E. Claudio Fuentes Julio, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights & Head of New York Office

• EU External Action Service: Mr Martin Bille Hermann, EEAS Managing Director for Multilateral Relations, Human Rights and Democracy and Deputy Political Director

16:55-17:00     Closing Remarks

17:00-18:00     Reception