The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 81 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 21–25 September 2026, 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 partners.
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 the future of the UN, the intersection between multilateralism and democracy, global public investment, critical minerals, digitalization, health and others as described here below.
Through its participation, Club de Madrid aims to highlight key recommendations and innovative policy solutions identified through its own programming in its persistent effort to strengthen global cooperation and democracy worldwide.
Please note that participation in all of the activities below are by invitation only. Should you be interested in receiving more information please contact Montse Sanchez at msanchez@clubmadrid.org
Club de Madrid Activities
22 September – Global Public Investment Coalition Dialogue
Time & Venue: 08:00–10:00, University Club Rooms 1 and 2, 9th Floor
Overview: A GPI Coalition Dialogue bringing together partners and stakeholders to advance discussions on Global Public Investment.
- Co-organized by Club de Madrid and Global Public Investment Network (GPIN).
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Stefan Löfven and Aminata Touré.
22 September – Presentation of the Report of Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism
Time & Venue: 15:00–18:00, Ford Foundation, 320 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
Overview: A high-level event focused on advancing democratic governance, openness, and collaboration.
- CdM´s Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism will launch its final report during UNGA High-Level Week, presenting a focused set of recommendations to strengthen the multilateral system’s capacity to support democracy. Commissioners, UN Member States and key stakeholders will discuss their political feasibility and identify practical pathways for implementation.
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Michelle Bachelet, Mokgweetsi Masisi, George Papandreou, Stefan Löfven, Aminata Touré and other CdM Members present in NYC.
23 September – Ministerial Roundtable of the Coalition of Governments and International Organizations on Global Public Investment
Time & Venue: 14:30–16:00, University Club Rooms 1 and 2, 9th Floor
Overview: A high-level meeting of the Coalition to set strategic priorities, strengthen international cooperation, and advance reforms for a more inclusive and effective global system.
- Co-organized by Club de Madrid and Global Public Investment Network (GPIN).
- The meeting will convene Foreign Ministers, senior representatives from Coalition member governments and strategic partners to agree priorities for the next twelve months. Discussions will focus on reforms to strengthen international public finance, deepen political coordination and advance a shared roadmap for a more inclusive and effective international cooperation system. The meeting will culminate in a Joint Co-Chairs’ Statement by Colombia, Senegal and Timor-Leste, setting out the Coalition’s political priorities, work program and areas for collaboration in its next phase.
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Stefan Löfven and Aminata Touré.
23 September – Club de Madrid Annual UNGA Dinner Energy & Critical Minerals: Meeting 21st Century Needs
Time & Venue: 19:00–21:30, University Club, Dwight Lounge/Dwight Room located on the 1st Floor, 1 W54th St, New York, NY 10019
Overview: An exclusive gathering that brings together former Heads of State and Government with a carefully selected group of senior investors, industry leaders, and policy experts for high-level exchange.
- This dinner will convene leaders from energy, technology, advanced manufacturing, and finance alongside Club de Madrid Members to explore one central question: how can democratic governments, responsible investors, and forward-looking industry work together to meet surging global demand while advancing transparency, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
- Participating Members: CdM Members in NYC invited to attend.
24 September – Roundtable on Public Health as a Global Public Good
Time & Venue: 09:00–10:30, University Club of New York, Room 3
Overview:
- Co-organized by Club de Madrid and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla and Aminata Touré.
24 September – Roundtable on Digitalisation. Who Builds, Who Overseas, Who Governs? Artificial Intelligence in the Global Public Interest
Time & Venue: 11:00–13:00, University Club of New York, Room 4
Overview:
- Co-organized by Club de Madrid and RegulatingAI.
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla and Aminata Touré.
25 September – Club de Madrid’s Action Lab towards Annual Policy Dialogue 2027
Time & Venue: 11:00–13:00, Bahai International Center, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120
Overview: A high-level, closed-door conversation on the futures of democracy to 2050.
- This closed-door Policy Lab will open the preparatory process for Club de Madrid’s Policy Dialogue 2027, Democracy 2050: Building the Democracy to Come. Club de Madrid Members, diplomats and experts will explore how profound shifts in technology, information, power and public life are changing the conditions under which democracy operates, and identify the questions and choices that should guide the process towards 2050.
- Participating Members: CdM Members in NYC invited to attend.
Additional Participation Highlights
21 September – Future of International Cooperation Report 2026: “Redefining Global Trust” (13:00–14:45)
Organized by Stimson Center and Doha Forum at the International Peace Institute
23 September – IPU Parliamentary Meeting on the occasion of UNGA81 (10:00–12:30)
Venue: Church Center for the United Nations.
- Participating Members: Aminata Touré.
- Register here – Link
23 September – CdM-PVBLIC panel “From Global Principles to Investable Projects: Building a Pipeline for Resilient Prosperity” (12:00–12:35)
Venue: UNHQ.
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla and Stefan Löfven.
24 September – Turning the Pact into Progress: Strengthening Partnerships for the Road to 2028 (08:30–10:00)
Organized by C4UN at the Bahá’í International Community, Suite 120.
- Participating Members: Stefan Löfven.
24 September – “Taking Forward the Pact for the Future: Assessing Progress & the Road ahead 2 years before the 2028 High Level Review” (13:15–14:45)
Organized by C4UN, Stimson and mission of Namibia at the UNHQ Conference Room 2.
- Participating Members: Stefan Löfven.
- Register Here – Link
24 September – “The First Year: Where Should the Next UN Leadership Start?” (17:00–19:00)
Workshop convened by Devex in partnership with EY, as part of the Devex Impact House at Valbella.
- Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla.
Delegation in New York
Members attending:
- Carlos Alvarado – President of Costa Rica (2018–2022)
- Michelle Bachelet – President of Chile (2006–2010)
- Alain Berset – President of Switzerland (2018; 2023)
- 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)
- Bill Clinton – President of the United States of America (1993-2001)
- Cellou Dalein Diallo – Prime Minister of Guinea (2004-2006)
- Tsakhia Elbegdorj – President of Mongolia (2009-2017)
- Leonel Fernández – President of the Dominican Republic (1996-2000; 2004-2012)
- Alfred Gusenbauer – Chancellor of Austria (2007-2008)
- Han Seung soo – Prime Minister of Korea (2008-2009)
- Ivo Josipovic – President of Croatia (2010-2015)
- Zlatko Lagumdzija – Prime Minister of Bosnia & Herzegovina (2001-2002)
- Yves Leterme – Prime Minister of Belgium (2008, 2009-2011)
- Stefan Löfven – Prime Minister of Sweden (2014–2021)
- Moussa Mara – Prime Minister of Mali (2014-2015)
- Mokgweetsi Masisi – President of Botswana (2018-2024)
- Theresa May – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016-2019)
- Charles Michel – Prime Minister of Belgium (2014-2019)
- Olusegun Obasanjo – President of Nigeria (1976-1979; 1999-2007)
- George Papandreou – Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011)
- José Manuel Ramos-Horta – President of Timor Leste (CdM Member on Leave)
- Mary Robinson – President of the Republic of Ireland (1990-1997)
- Aminata Touré – Prime Minister of Senegal (2013-2014)
- Leo Varadkar – Prime Minister of Ireland (2017-2020; 2022-2024)
Advisors attending:
- Dino Patti Djalal – Founder, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and former Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia
- María Fernanda Espinosa – former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and 73rd President of the United Nations General Assembly
- Oby Ezekwesili – Former Minister of Education, Nigeria | Former Vice President, World Bank Africa Region
- Monica Geingos – First Lady of the Republic of Namibia (2015-2024). Executive Chairperson, One Economy Foundation (ONE)
- Susana Malcorra – former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship for the Republic of Argentina. GWL Voices President
- José Antonio Ocampo – Co-Director of the Economic and Political Development Concentration in the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. Colombia’s Minister of Finance and Public Credit (2022-2023)
- Tim Phillips – Founder and CEO, Beyond Conflict
- Jerry Jones – Executive Vice-President, Ethics and Legal Officer, Live Ramp
- Ted Piccone – Senior Non-resident Fellow at Brookings Foreign Policy
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:
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Feature pieces
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Interviews
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Coverage of Club de Madrid projects beyond UNGA 81
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) 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.
