Event Reports

Multilateralism under pressure: What can and should Europe do in these fractured times?

Breakfast Briefing with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Despite an unprecedented number of global challenges facing the international community, the appetite for multilateral cooperation is waning amid growing polarization, nationalism, and geopolitical competition. Can Europe play a leadership role in reinvigorating the multilateral system?

Fostering Partnerships between D.C. and New York for Development Financing and Multilateralism

Workshop

On 4 June 2025, KAS New York hosted the second part of the workshop series on bridging New York and DC for strengthened development financing and multilateralism in collaboration with the KAS USA Office. This instalment discussed the importance of strengthened partnerships between the international financial institutions (IFIs) in DC and the United Nations and partners in New York, the centres of development processes and financial decision-making, to address issues of debt sustainability and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa: What Options Are Left?

Expert Discussion

West Africa faces a continued and worsening rise in terrorist and violent extremist activity by al-Qaeda- and Islamic State (IS)-affiliated groups, amid numerous challenges to its security and stability. As international and regional responses have thus far failed to stem the evolving threat, what can the global community do?

The Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Wider Implications for European and Global Security

A Conversation with High Representative Christian Schmidt

On May 5th, 2025, KAS New York welcomed the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Mr. Christian Schmidt, for a high-level lunch discussion. The High Representative provided a first-hand briefing on current developments as well as pending challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina with representatives of UN Permanent Missions, think tanks, UN officials and civil society organizations.

Artificial Intelligence: Threats, Opportunities, and Policy Frameworks for Countering VNSAs

Policy Brief

The Policy Brief "Artificial Intelligence: Threats, Opportunities, and Policy Frameworks for Countering VNSAs" was developed by the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) to examine the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI) with non-state actor, terrorist and violent extremist exploitation online and how best to frame policy to ensure safety by design.

Evolving the International Financial Institutions for Global Development & Multilateralism

Workshop Series

80 years after the establishment of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Bretton Woods Conference, it is time to further strengthen the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). The KAS New York Office and KAS USA Office held an expert workshop on 15 April as part of a wider workshop series on the IFIs.

Rethinking the Future of UN Peacekeeping for the 21st Century

Annual Adenauer Address

During the Annual Adenauer Address entitled, “Rethinking the Future of UN Peacekeeping for the 21st Century”, held on 4 March 2025, United Nations Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix outlined his insights on the future of UN peacekeeping. The Annual Adenauer Address of KAS New York provides a platform for leaders to encourage multistakeholder dialogue and exchange on pressing issues for multilateralism.

Youth Participation in Multilateralism: Opportunities and Challenges

Discussion and Reception with UN Assistant Secretary-General Felipe Paullier

Youth are increasingly recognized as important actors to advocate for, participate in, and raise new issues in global governance. Despite UN initiatives to foster youth participation, there remains much work to be done to ensure their meaningful and effective engagement.

KAS-IOE Event: Advancing SDG 8 Through Multilateral Partnerships

Hybrid Breakfast Meeting on the occasion of the 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Partnership Forum

On the occasion of the 2025 United Nations ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office convened a hybrid breakfast meeting on, “Advancing SDG 8 Through Multilateral Partnerships”. The event facilitated an interactive multistakeholder dialogue on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), skills development and job creation, emphasizing the importance of multilateral partnerships with the UN, private sector, employers and civil society to foster sustainable economic development.

South Asia and Multilateralism: Challenges and Correctives

The mixed results of global and regional intergovernmental organizations in South Asia have left many skeptical of multilateral approaches to shared challenges. Moreover, political differences, economic disparities, and power asymmetries—among other factors—have hindered region-wide cooperation, as well as the region‘s ability to present a united front in multilateral fora. What can be done to ease South Asia's crisis of multilateralism?