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Montenegro's Prime Minister Filip Ivanovic, addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Kent J. Edwards
The United Nations at Eighty: Reform for a Shared Future in a New Geopolitical Era
Sep 03, 2025

In September, the United Nations will convene its eightieth General Assembly in New York. While hot topics such as artificial intelligence and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip are sure to dominate the conversation, the upcoming selection of a new UN secretary-general will also be top of mind. The organization celebrates its eightieth year as the world enters a new era of great power competition and increasing conflict. It is worth asking if the United Nations, in its current form, is up to the challenge.  

Aug 31, 2023
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a picture standing up holding hands above their heads at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023.

The BRICS Summit 2023: Seeking an Alternate World Order?

Ten Council of Councils (CoC) experts from BRICS members and beyond reflect on the future of the grouping and what expansion means for global governance.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a picture standing up holding hands above their heads at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023.
Ten Council of Councils (CoC) experts from BRICS members and beyond reflect on the future of the grouping and what expansion means for global governance.
Jul 14, 2023
NATO leaders and invited guests pose for a family photo, as they attend an event with G7 leaders to announce a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 12, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

NATO Divided: Global Perspectives on the Vilnius Summit

CoC experts react to the NATO and G7 commitments made at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and what they portend for the future of the alliance.
NATO leaders and invited guests pose for a family photo, as they attend an event with G7 leaders to announce a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 12, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
CoC experts react to the NATO and G7 commitments made at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and what they portend for the future of the alliance.
May 25, 2023
G7 leaders visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is in the middle of a lake with sunlight reflecting off the water, on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Japan on Friday, May 19, 2023. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS

Russia, China, and the G7’s Dilemmas: Global Perspectives on the Summit

Japan hosted the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. The G7 stepped up its efforts to be more inclusive of the Global South’s diverse views, but the five experts writing for this Council of Councils global perspective series diverge on how effective this approach will be.
G7 leaders visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is in the middle of a lake with sunlight reflecting off the water, on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Japan on Friday, May 19, 2023. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
Japan hosted the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. The G7 stepped up its efforts to be more inclusive of the Global South’s diverse views, but the five experts writing for this Council of Councils global perspective series diverge on how effective this approach will be.
Apr 05, 2023
Attendees are seen on the screen as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a virtual Summit for Democracy in Washington,DC, on March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Global Perspectives on the Second Summit for Democracy

Amid a backdrop of global democratic backsliding and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, five countries cohosted the second Summit for Democracy on March 29 and 30. Five CoC experts reflect on the summit and how to sustain democracy going forward.
Attendees are seen on the screen as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a virtual Summit for Democracy in Washington,DC, on March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Amid a backdrop of global democratic backsliding and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, five countries cohosted the second Summit for Democracy on March 29 and 30. Five CoC experts reflect on the summit and how to sustain democracy going forward.
Feb 22, 2023
A Ukrainian soldier hides from a helicopter air strike amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, near Demydiv, Ukraine on March 10, 2022.

The Invasion That Shook the World

In this Council of Councils global perspective series, twenty-two experts from nineteen countries reflect on what they think are the most important impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and what they see as a way forward in managing or ending the conflict.
A Ukrainian soldier hides from a helicopter air strike amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, near Demydiv, Ukraine on March 10, 2022.
In this Council of Councils global perspective series, twenty-two experts from nineteen countries reflect on what they think are the most important impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and what they see as a way forward in managing or ending the conflict.
Nov 03, 2022
Chairs surround round tables in front of a bright LED screen displaying Indonesian’s G20 theme at a meeting of the G20 finance ministers in Bali, Indonesia on July 16, 2022.

How the War in Ukraine and Big Power Tensions Could Derail the Bali G20 Summit

The Group of Twenty (G20) leaders summit is set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15 and 16 at a time of expanding global divisions. In this roundup, five experts recommend what the G20 summit’s priorities should be and reflect on what growing geopolitical tensions mean for the group's future.
Chairs surround round tables in front of a bright LED screen displaying Indonesian’s G20 theme at a meeting of the G20 finance ministers in Bali, Indonesia on July 16, 2022.
The Group of Twenty (G20) leaders summit is set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15 and 16 at a time of expanding global divisions. In this roundup, five experts recommend what the G20 summit’s priorities should be and reflect on what growing geopolitical tensions mean for the group's future.
Aug 30, 2022
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya sits with his hand on his head gazing downward at the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York City on August 1, 2022

The Future of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament Is in Danger

In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, five experts analyze what this failure of the NPT Review Conference means for the future of nonproliferation and disarmament, and what might be done to strengthen the nuclear regime.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya sits with his hand on his head gazing downward at the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York City on August 1, 2022
In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, five experts analyze what this failure of the NPT Review Conference means for the future of nonproliferation and disarmament, and what might be done to strengthen the nuclear regime.
Jun 10, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden walks off the stage with his back to the camera after speaking during the opening plenary session at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 2022.

A Region Divided: What Did the Summit of the Americas Accomplish?

Leaders of twenty-three Western Hemisphere countries attended the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 6–10, with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.” The summit sought cooperation on shared challenges, including economic recovery, climate change, health, and migration. The meeting showcased a divided region and is unlikely to produce any substantial outcomes, write four experts for the Council of Councils global perspectives series, but it has prompted some pragmatic first steps toward stronger regional partnerships.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks off the stage with his back to the camera after speaking during the opening plenary session at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 2022.
Leaders of twenty-three Western Hemisphere countries attended the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 6–10, with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.” The summit sought cooperation on shared challenges, including economic recovery, climate change, health, and migration. The meeting showcased a divided region and is unlikely to produce any substantial outcomes, write four experts for the Council of Councils global perspectives series, but it has prompted some pragmatic first steps toward stronger regional partnerships.
Mar 03, 2022
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard on a road in Kharkiv, Ukraine in front of a tank while holding weapons on February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Maksim Levin

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Will Have Lasting Implications

Russia’s military assault on Ukraine defies international law and poses one of the most alarming challenges to European security in the post-Cold War era, with ripple effects far beyond the continent. In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, four experts analyze the implications for Russia, Europe, and the world.
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard on a road in Kharkiv, Ukraine in front of a tank while holding weapons on February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Maksim Levin
Russia’s military assault on Ukraine defies international law and poses one of the most alarming challenges to European security in the post-Cold War era, with ripple effects far beyond the continent. In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, four experts analyze the implications for Russia, Europe, and the world.
Dec 16, 2021
U.S. President Joe Biden convenes a virtual summit with leaders from democratic nations at Summit for Democracy in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Global Perspectives on Biden’s Democracy Summit

Leaders of more than one hundred countries took part in the U.S.-hosted Summit for Democracy in early December. The outcome was mixed at best, say four experts writing for the Council of Councils global perspectives series.
U.S. President Joe Biden convenes a virtual summit with leaders from democratic nations at Summit for Democracy in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Leaders of more than one hundred countries took part in the U.S.-hosted Summit for Democracy in early December. The outcome was mixed at best, say four experts writing for the Council of Councils global perspectives series.