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Club de Madrid at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Sep 9, 2025

Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights | 21–26 September 2025

Club de Madrid

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 80 in New York represents one of the most significant gatherings of world leaders, policymakers, and civil society actors, providing a platform to address the complex and interconnected challenges of our time. From 21–26 September 2025, Club de Madrid will be fully engaged in this pivotal week for multilateralism, offering exclusive interviews, high-quality content, and unique insights from its Members, Advisors, and the WYDE Network of Young Decision-makers.

Building on its role as the largest global forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, the Club will bring experience, vision, and thought leadership to key discussions on issues that transcend borders. This year, the delegation will focus on governing global public goods, tackling pressing challenges such as climate stability, peace and security, inclusive digital governance, global health, and economic resilience. Through its participation, Club de Madrid aims not only to highlight innovative policy solutions but also to strengthen global cooperation, amplify the voices of democratic leaders, and lay the groundwork for the 2026 Annual Policy Dialogue (APD26) in Madrid, which will explore governance frameworks, financing models, and strategies to safeguard democracy in a multipolar world.

Club de Madrid-led Activities

25 September – Annual UNGA Dinner (By Invitation Only)

Time & Venue: 19:00–22:00
Theme: “Powering Progress: AI, Competitiveness, and Democratic Resilience”
Overview: High-level dinner in collaboration with Club de Madrid US Foundation and Amazon Web Services.

  • Discussion on AI’s impact on global competitiveness

  • Governance frameworks to ensure inclusive and sustainable progress

  • Participation of Members and global leaders in technology, investment, and public policy

26 September – Democracy and Multilateralism: What the World Cannot Afford to Lose

Time & Venue: 11:00–12:30, Bahá’í International Community UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza
Overview: Launch of the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism.

  • Focus on democratic erosion and legitimacy in international cooperation

  • High-level roundtable discussion with Members, Advisors, and experts

26 September – Towards APD26: Governing Global Public Goods in a Multipolar World

Time & Venue: 13:30–16:00, Bahá’í International Community UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza
Overview: Preparatory session for APD26 (Madrid, June 2026)

  • Focus on governance frameworks, democratic principles, and financing models (including Global Public Investment)

Additional Participation Highlights

  • 22 September – Foreign Policy “Her Power” (14:00–16:00)
    PM Mari Kiviniemi participates in a session on women’s leadership.

  • 23 September – AI, Democracy and Multilateralism (15:00–16:30)
    Club de Madrid and Regulating AI Workshop at DLA Piper Offices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 23 September – Solidarity in Crisis: The Fight to Reclaim Accountability and Justice (18:00–19:30)
    Roundtable co-hosted with Human Rights Watch at HRW Headquarters.

    Speakers: Danilo Türk, President of Slovenia (2007–2012) and President of Club de Madrid; Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden (2014–2021) and Member of Club de Madrid; Mari Kiviniemi, Prime Minister of Finland (2010–2011) and Member of Club de Madrid; Marta Schaaf, Director of the Programme on Climate, Economic & Social Justice and Corporate Accountability, Amnesty International; Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, OHCHR; Otto Saki, Program Officer, Global Governance, Ford Foundation; David Stasavage, Carroll and Milton Petrie Professor, Wilf Family Department of Politics, NYC – Facilitator: Federico Borello, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch

        Register here – Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 24 September – PVBLIC’s Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD) Forum: Global Public Investment Panel (12:00–13:00)
    CdM panel at UNHQ presenting the concept of GPI and its role in governing global public goods in a multipolar world, highlighting CdM and GPIN’s work following the Seville Platform for Action on GPI.

  • 24 September – Taxation for Fair Climate Financing (14:00–16:00)
    Club de Madrid and Oxfam America’s New York Climate Week event at Oasis by Workville.

    Speakers: Carlos Alvarado, President of Costa Rica (2018–2022), and Club de Madrid Member; Ambassador Ali Mohammed, Special Climate Envoy, Kenya, and Co-Chair, Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce; Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation; Ashfaq Khalfan, Climate Justice Director, Oxfam America; Marinel Ubaldo, Climate activist from the Philippines; Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assembly member, New York State Legislature (TBC); Representative from the Government of Barbados. Moderator: María Fernanda Espinosa, Executive Director, GWL Voices

    Register Here – Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 24 September – Agents of Change: How Environmental Human Rights Defenders Advance Global Climate Action (16:00–19:00)
    LEAD event co-organised by World Resources Institute at Ford Foundation, New York.

Delegation in New York

Members attending UNGA 80:

  • Carlos Alvarado – President of Costa Rica (2018–2022)

  • Michelle Bachelet – President of Chile (2006–2010; 2014–2018)

  • Alain Berset – President of Switzerland (2018; 2023)

  • Kjell Magne Bondevik – Prime Minister of Norway (1997–2000; 2001–2005)

  • Gordon Brown – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2007–2010)

  • Laura Chinchilla – President of Costa Rica (2010–2014)

  • Helen Clark – Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999–2008)

  • Leonel Fernández – President of the Dominican Republic (1996–2000; 2004–2012)

  • Tarja Halonen – President of Finland (2000–2012)

  • Mari Kiviniemi – Prime Minister of Finland (2010–2011)

  • Stefan Löfven – Prime Minister of Sweden (2014–2021)

  • Danilo Türk – President of Slovenia (2007–2012), President of Club de Madrid

Advisors attending:

  • María Fernanda Espinosa – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador; 73rd President of UNGA

  • Jerry Jones – Executive Vice-President, Ethics and Legal Officer, LiveRamp

  • Susana Malcorra – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Argentina; Former UN Chef de Cabinet

  • Dino Patti Djalal – Founder and Chairman, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI)

  • Ted Piccone – Chief Engagement Officer, World Justice Project; Senior Non-resident Fellow, Brookings Institution

  • Timothy Phillips – Co-Chair and Co-Founder, Project for Justice in Times of Transition

WYDE Network of Young Decision-makers:

  • Augusta Nnadi – Special Assistant to the Anambra State Governor on Investments, Nigeria

  • Elena Motta – Congress Member, Guatemala

  • Lucas Padhilla – Secretary of Culture, City of Rio de Janeiro

Media & Interview Opportunities

All Club de Madrid activities offer interview and content opportunities with participating Members, Advisors, and WYDE Network leaders. Media teams can request access to invitation-only events and explore collaborations for:

  • Feature pieces

  • Interviews

  • Coverage of Club de Madrid projects beyond UNGA 80

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) provides a pivotal platform to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and collective action. Against a backdrop of global challenges—including climate change, migration, democratic backsliding, and inequality—world leaders, policymakers, and civil society convene to exchange solutions and strengthen international cooperation.

Club de Madrid plays a central role during the week, leading high-level discussions, participating in strategic roundtables, and advancing its agenda on democracy, multilateralism, and global governance.

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