Events

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.

Transforming Commitments into Action for Equal Access to Justice

Roundtable Discussion

In line with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, we emphasize the importance of providing access to justice for all. This goal involves building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Additionally, we recognize that the 2030 Agenda envisions a world in which human rights and dignity are universally respected and in which the rule of law, justice, equality, and non-discrimination prevail.

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?

Multilateral Approaches to Maritime Security Challenges in the Pacific Islands Region

Outlook and Opportunities for Partnership

On 9th December 2024, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office, in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Fiji, Greece and Australia to the United Nations, convened a working lunch to foster exchange between international experts and representatives of the UN system and Member States on current maritime challenges and identify multilateral approaches to maritime security in the Pacific Islands region.

Civil Society and Government Collaboration Toward Equal Access to Justice for All

Roundtable Discussion

Recalling Sustainable Development Goal 16, to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and bearing in mind that the 2030 Agenda, inter alia, envisaged a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination.

Shrinking Safe Haven for War Criminals: Prosecuting International Crimes against Ukrainian Children

Roundtable Discussion

The invasion of Ukraine will enter its fourth year in 2025, leading to an increased number of displaced individuals. On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights. They are both accused of committing the war crime of unlawfully deporting children and unlawfully transferring them from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

The Road to Koblenz:

Pathways for international justice through the exercise of universal jurisdiction in Germany

In February 2021, for example, the Koblenz Higher Regional Court sentenced Eyad A to four and a half years in prison, followed by Anwar R’s conviction two years later in January 2022. These rulings represented an unprecedented state action against impunity for brutalities committed under the Bashar al-Assad regime. What accounts for such prosecutorial and judicial assertiveness in Germany? Under what conditions is this litigation and prosecution possible before German courts?