Conference on Effective Multilateralism in a globalized world

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, in the framework of its Chairmanship of the OSCE Asian Contact Group, is organising a conference on “Effective Multilateralism in a globalized world – The case of Europe and Asia Pacific” at Palais Niederösterreich, Vienna.

The conference will start with a key note speech by Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl on the role of effective multilateralism in our two regions. The High-Level Opening will give major international organizations in this field―in particular, the OSCE and UN Institutions―the opportunity to present their positions. Contributions to the opening panel will include statements by Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV) and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov , OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger, General Director of the IAEO, Yukiya Amano tbc, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Natalia Gherman, and Executive Secretary CTBTO, Lassina Zerbo.

The conference will provide diplomats, military staff and representatives from international organizations as well as participants from the academic and public sector with an inclusive forum to bridge perspectives from the OSCE area and the Asia Pacific discuss how multilateralism and its institutions can best respond to their security challenges.

In the current global security environment, complex and transnational threats, regional instability, geopolitical rivalry and rapid technological developments challenge the existing security architectures. The security order based on rules and principles is often disregarded or even violated, both in Europe and Asia Pacific. The conference aims to reassess the major security challenges in both regions and find answers to providing comprehensive security to states and their people. It will in particular look into ways to improve links between the OSCE area and its Asian Pacific neighbours.