Programme for the Study of International Governance Inaugural Seminar

The early 21st century has been marked by profound economic, political and social change. The unprecedented global challenges now facing us demand innovative solutions and collective responses, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing governing arrangements. Do we have the necessary structures and procedures in place for inclusive, representative and effective global governance? The UN, with its General Assembly, represents a unique forum for global governance. But what reforms must be made in order to ensure representation and voice from new and emerging actors, such as members of the G20?

Joseph Deiss was elected President of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 11 June 2010. An economist and politician with extensive experience in multilateral affairs, he served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1999 to 2006. He undertook the role of Minister for Economic Affairs from 2003 to 2006, and was elected President of the Swiss Confederation in 2004 – a position occupied by one of the Federal Council members in turn for a year. He led the Swiss delegation to the UN General Assembly, and before that he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2002, and led the campaign for Swiss membership to the UN.

During his parliamentary career, Mr. Deiss played an active role in world trade, presiding over the Swiss delegation at the decisive World Trade Organization’s Doha Round negotiations, held in Cancun (Mexico), Montreal (Canada), Paris (France), Geneva (Switzerland), and Hong Kong (China). He was responsible for the creation of the Group of Ten (G-10)—a coalition of importers of agricultural products—which he subsequently chaired and which has become a leading player in WTO negotiations. Deiss also served on the Board of Governors for the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and has represented Switzerland in the country’s negotiations with the European Union.

The lecture launches the Graduate Institute’s new Programme for the Study of International Governance – a forum for scholars of governance and international organisations to interact with practitioners from the policy world to analyze global governance arrangements across a variety of issues.  

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