Multilateralism in 2026: Where to now?
In an address to the United Nations General Assembly in January 2026, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres remarked that “We are a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality, and unpredictability. A world marked by self-defeating geopolitical divides … brazen violations of international law … and wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid.
These forces and more are shaking the foundations of global cooperation and testing the resilience of multilateralism itself.” The paradox is that though we need multilateralism more than ever to address global challenges, the current system is increasingly at risk and not always able to deliver, particularly on peace and security.
Against this backdrop, what does the future of global governance hold? More reform or transformation of existing institutions, increasing devolution to regional organisations, more concerted action by a wider range of actors to preserve the global order or a combination of all these approaches?
To help us navigate the current geo-political landscape and its implications for multilateralism and explore what options exist to address the current challenges, the Women’s International Forum (WIF) has invited former Australian Prime Minister and current CEO and Global President of the Asia Society, The Honorable Dr Kevin Rudd A.C. and Australia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, His Excellency Mr James Larsen.
Speakers
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H.E. Mr James LarsenHE Mr James Larsen is Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, taking up his posting in New York in July 2023.
Ambassador Larsen is a senior career officer with DFAT. Prior to his appointment, he was Deputy Secretary for Environment, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. He has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Türkiye (2014-2017); Ambassador to Israel (2006-2010); Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Brussels (2001-2004); and Second Secretary, Australian Embassy, Bangkok (1994-1997).
In Canberra, he served as Climate Coordinator/Deputy Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2-11/2021); Chief Legal Officer, DFAT (2017-2020); Principal Adviser, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2012-2013); Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues, DFAT (2010-2012); Assistant Secretary and Legal Adviser, Legal Branch, DFAT (2004-2006); and Director, Administration and Domestic Law Section, DFAT (1998-2000).
Ambassador Larsen holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, University of Melbourne (1987).
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The Honorable Dr Kevin Rudd A.C.The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rudd A.C. is a leading authority on China and currently serves as Global President and CEO of Asia Society in New York. He returned to the role in March 2026 after three years as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States. He previously served twice as Australia’s Prime Minister and as Foreign Minister.
A fluent Mandarin speaker and graduate of the Australian National University, Dr. Rudd holds a DPhil from Oxford focused on Xi Jinping’s ideological worldview. He is the author of On Xi Jinping (2024) and The Avoidable War (2022), and is frequently featured in leading international media and academic forums on China and U.S.-China relations.
As Prime Minister, Dr. Rudd led Australia through the Global Financial Crisis, oversaw major domestic reforms, co-founded the G20 Summit, and advanced initiatives on Indo-Pacific security, climate change, UN reform, Indigenous reconciliation, education and health.
As Ambassador to the U.S., he helped negotiate the 2025 U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Framework and the 2026 Technology for Prosperity Agreement. He has also addressed leading U.S. military institutions and universities worldwide on China, deterrence and Taiwan.
Dr. Rudd is a non-resident Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center and holds honorary positions with several leading international institutions. In 2019, he received Australia’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for his contributions to Indigenous reconciliation, economic policy and domestic reform.
Dr. Rudd began his diplomatic career in 1981 with postings to Beijing and Stockholm and entered Parliament in 1998.