On 12 March 2026, UNU will host “Leveraging Partnerships for a Renewed and More Effective Multilateralism”, a conversation with Julien Pellaux, Director of the Partnerships Division at UNESCO. This event will start at 18:30 in the 2F Reception Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
As commitments to multilateralism weaken, the international community's ability to address the most pressing challenges of our time is increasingly at risk. At the heart of this crisis lies a fundamental question: How can we meaningfully advance shared global priorities when the foundations of cooperation are being tested? Addressing this question demands a renewed commitment to strategic partnerships that are grounded in shared values, mutual accountability and practical action.
For this conversation, Mr. Julien Pellaux will join UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala to explore the possibilities for renewing and strengthening multilateral cooperation. The discussion will consider questions such as: How can international organizations, governments, academia and private actors build more effective mechanisms for collaboration? What can UNESCO's long-standing partnership with Japan teach us about translating shared values into concrete solutions? And how can this model of principled, sustained cooperation serve as a blueprint for reinvigorating multilateralism in an era of uncertainty?
This event is part of the UNU Conversation Series, which aims to foster audience participation. You are encouraged to engage with the speakers during the conversation and at the reception that will follow, where all event attendees are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and making new contacts.
Please note that this event will be in English, with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese. Advance registration (by 11 March at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page. Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
About the Speaker
Julien Pellaux (Switzerland/Brazil) is Director of Partnerships at UNESCO, where he oversees corporate engagement with UNESCO’s public and private partners including bilateral donors, United Nations and multilateral organizations, regional institutions such as the European Union, and regional banks, civil society, philanthropy, foundations and corporations. He has nearly 20 years of experience on human rights, sustainable development, gender equality, strategic planning and political analysis. Prior to joining UNESCO, Julien worked for over 10 years at UN Women, including as Chief of Staff, after having overseen the development of UN Women’s Strategic Plan. He also held other positions for UN Women, UNFPA and ILO at headquarters and in field offices, notably in various Central Asian countries. He is fluent in five languages and holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Switzerland and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Bond University in Australia.
