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 22–27 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 intersection of energy security, critical minerals, strategic investment and democratic resilience, exploring how governments, investors and industry can work together to build resilient supply chains while advancing transparency, sustainability and inclusive growth.

Through its participation, Club de Madrid aims not only to highlight innovative policy solutions but also to strengthen global cooperation, foster meaningful dialogue across the public and private sectors, and amplify the voices of democratic leaders.

Club de Madrid Activities

22 September – Global Public Investment Civil Society Roundtable

Time & Venue: 08:00–10:00, University Club Rooms 1 and 2, 9th Floor
Overview:

• Co-organized by Club de Madrid and Global Public Investment Network (GPIN)
• Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Stefan Löfven and Aminata Touré.
  Speakers: TBC

22 September – Presentation of report of Global Commission on Multilateralism and Democracy

Time & Venue: 15:00–18:00, Ford Foundation, 320 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
Overview:

• Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Michelle Bachelet, Mokgweetsi Masisi, George Papandreou, Stefan Löfven, Aminata Touré and other CdM Members present in NYC.
  Speakers: TBC

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:

• Co-organized by Club de Madrid and Global Public Investment Network (GPIN)
• The meeting will convene Ministers of Foreign Affairs, senior representatives from Coalition member governments and other strategic partners. Its objective will be to agree the Coalition’s strategic priorities for the coming twelve months, identify practical reforms to strengthen international public finance, reinforce political coordination among governments, and advance a shared roadmap for a more inclusive and effective international cooperation system. The principal outcome of the meeting will be the presentation of a Joint Co-Chairs’ Statement, to be issued by Colombia, Senegal and Timor-Leste, establishing the Coalition’s political priorities, work program and areas for collaboration during its next phase. This statement is intended to provide the Coalition with a common strategic direction and reinforce government ownership of this growing international initiative.
• Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla, Stefan Löfven and Aminata Touré.
  Speakers: TBC

23 September – Club de Madrid Annual UNGA Dinner

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:

• Participating Members: CdM Members in NYC invited to attend.
  Speakers: TBC

24 September – Roundtable on Public Health as a Global Public Good, with AHF

Time & Venue: 09:00–10:30, University Club of New York, Room 3
Overview:

• Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla and Aminata Touré.
  Speakers: TBC

24 September – Roundtable with RegulatingAI

Time & Venue: 11:00–13:00, University Club of New York, Room 4
Overview:

• Participating Members: Laura Chinchilla (TBC) and Aminata Touré.
  Speakers: TBC

25 September – Club de Madrid’s Action Lab

Time & Venue: 11:00–13:00, Bahai International Center, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120
Overview:

• Participating Members: CdM Members in NYC invited to attend.
  Speakers: TBC

Additional Participation Highlights

• 21 September – Future of International Cooperation Report NYC Launch (13:00–14:45)
  Organized by Stimson Center and Doha Forum at the International Peace Institute

  Speakers: Laura Chinchilla.

• 23 September – IPU Parliamentary Meeting on the occasion of UNGA81 (10:00–12:30)
  Venue: Church Center for the United Nations.

  Speakers: Aminata Touré.

• 23 September – CdM-PVBLIC panel “From Global Principles to Investable Projects: Building a Pipeline for Resilient Prosperity” (12:00–12:35)
  Venue: UNHQ.

  Speakers: 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.

  Speakers: 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.

  Speakers: Stefan Löfven.

• 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.

  Speakers: Laura Chinchilla.

Delegation in New York

Members attending:

• Carlos Alvarado – President of Costa Rica (2018–2022)
• Michelle Bachelet – President of Chile (2006–2010)
• 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, Club de Madrid Advisor
• 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, Advisor of Club de Madrid
• Jerry Jones – Executive Vice-President, Ethics and Legal Officer, Live Ramp, Advisor of Club de Madrid
• Ted Piccone – Senior Non-resident Fellow at Brookings Foreign Policy, Advisor of Club de Madrid

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 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.