After sharp criticism of UN Member States, President Trump expressed support for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. But can the UN survive its liquidity crisis with the US stepping back from its dues? How is China re-shaping the institution? Civilians suffer as conflicts rage from Gaza to South Sudan and Myanmar. Many are impatient that next year the permanent members of the UN Security Council support (and don’t veto) a first woman elected as the new UN Secretary General.

Our planet faces unique survivability tests from the climate crisis, nuclear proliferation, ecological collapse and rising inequality. The women, peace and security agenda has stalled. At this 80th anniversary and in the face of geopolitical competition, can cooperation bring focus to these key issues, trust in multilateralism and a recommitment to global norms?

Speakers:

Jordan Ryan is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General with deep experience in peacebuilding, human rights, and development. He served as Vice President for Peace Programs at The Carter Centre, where he led global initiatives to support democratic governance and conflict resolution. His current work focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and advancing international cooperation on peace and security.

Professor Erika Feller AO FAIIA. Erika’s experience includes 14 years serving as an Australian diplomat, working primarily in the areas of international law and human rights. For 26 years she worked with UNHCR, including 13 at the helm of its protection work, seven of these as the Assistant High Commissioner. She is currently Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Initiative for Peacebuilding.

Moderator:

Leanne Smith is an international human rights lawyer, with a career across the Australian judicial system, DFAT, and a decade serving in the UN from Afghanistan, the Balkans, Africa and Southeast Asia then New York as Chief of Policy and Best Practices for UN Peacekeeping. She has been the Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission since 2021, and is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNAA.