Strengthening Partnerships in Times of Global Turbulence
UNITAR
2 September 2025, Geneva, Switzerland — In times of uncertainty, multilateralism remains the beacon of peace and cooperation, more essential than ever to confront today’s multifaceted diplomatic challenges and support inclusive global decision-making.
On 26 August, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) convened the first meeting of the Multilateral Diplomacy Advisory Board in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting served as an urgent call to strengthen and advance multilateralism at the heart of the United Nations, bringing together expertise, resources, and commitment to address the most pressing global challenges.
UNITAR
Chaired by H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the United Nations General Assembly, and Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, Head of UNITAR’s Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and Co-Chair of the Advisory Board, the gathering underscored the critical importance of partnership and shared values in turbulent times. As Ms. Espinosa reminded participants:
This is not a financial crisis; it is a crisis of values of multilateralism. Upholding these values is our greatest responsibility.
The Advisory Board was established to provide strategic guidance and leadership to the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy (DMD). Its mandate is to ensure that the Division’s work remains impactful and forward-looking by:
- Offering critical analysis and strategic recommendations;
- Reinforcing capacity-building and knowledge-management; and
- Promoting DMD’s work among donors, UN Member States, academic institutions, and key partners.
As a forum for dialogue and exchange, the Board will help identify beneficiary needs, share experiences, and shape areas for further development. By combining strategic direction with technical expertise—and by embracing systems thinking—the Advisory Board highlights the importance of collaborative approaches and strategic dialogue as indispensable tools to advance shared global goals.
UNITAR
Reflecting on the meeting, Mr. El-Haddad expressed his gratitude to all who participated:
At this moment of global turbulence, partnership has never been more critical. I am deeply thankful for the engagement of all participants, whose commitment to multilateralism builds the bridges we need for a more cooperative world. In the name of Chair H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, I am inspired to continue supporting multilateralism across every dimension of diplomatic relations.
Over the past years, UNITAR’s Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit has earned world-class recognition for equipping current and future leaders with the essential knowledge and skills to serve this noble mission. Its extensive training portfolio has reached thousands of diplomats and professionals worldwide, offering expertise in diplomacy, human rights, international law, peace, the UN system, and even the emerging field of artificial intelligence.
The meeting reaffirmed UNITAR’s belief that knowledge and cooperation are the strongest tools we have to navigate turbulent times. With this distinguished Advisory Board in place, UNITAR is confident that meaningful outcomes have been seeded, that will strengthen the global capacity to meet today’s challenges and reinforce multilateralism as a beacon of peace, solidarity, and shared progress.