On 15 July 2026, UNU will host “The New Multipolar International Order”, a conversation with H.E. George Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic. The event will begin at 18:30 in the 2F Reception Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the international community is navigating an increasingly complex and multipolar world. Amid shifting power balances, ongoing regional conflicts, and mounting global challenges, effective multilateral cooperation and a rules-based international order remain essential to advancing international peace, security and sustainable development.
For this conversation, H.E. George Gerapetritis, will join UNU Senior Vice-Rector Professor Aya Suzuki, for a high-level dialogue on multilateralism, diplomacy, and the role of middle powers in fostering international peace.
Greece has long been committed to multilateralism, international law and peaceful conflict resolution. Following its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–2026 term, Greece has assumed an increasingly important role in addressing pressing global peace and security challenges. Drawing on its unique position at the crossroads of Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, Greece brings valuable perspectives on regional stability, maritime security, migration, climate resilience and the future of global governance.
What are the implications of an emerging multipolar international order? How can the United Nations and its Member States strengthen international cooperation in an era of strategic competition and geopolitical uncertainty? The discussion will examine the evolving role of the Security Council, the importance of upholding the UN Charter and international law, and opportunities to reinforce multilateral institutions in addressing today's interconnected global challenges.
The 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. Advance registration (by 14 July 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.
Please note that food and photography are prohibited during events at UNU Headquarters, unless prior permission is granted by UNU.
About the Speaker
Professor George Gerapetritis is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, serving since June 2023. He previously served as Minister of State from 2019 to 2023, acting as a principal advisor to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on institutional and legislative reforms. During this period, he briefly stepped in as the interim Minister of Infrastructure and Transport from March to May 2023.
As an academic, Dr. Gerapetritis is a Professor of Constitutional Law at the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, holding a D.Phil. from Oxford and having served as a visiting fellow at Oxford and the London School of Economics. His legal career involved high-profile public law cases before European courts.
