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  • Priorities for the Next UN Secretary-General

    By: John Norris & Joshua Wells

    The White Paper by Project Starling’s Senior Adviser John Norris and Policy and Research Analyst Joshua Wells explores some of the key issues that the next Secretary-General should place front and center at a pivotal moment.

    Four areas are recommended for specific focus: Peace and Security; Global Development and Health; Change Management and Finance within the UN itself; and positioning the UN to effectively address a new generation of global challenges including Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change.

    As potential Secretary-General candidates advance their respective campaigns, the White Paper underscores the importance of making sure their skill sets and experience are fit for purpose on a very challenging landscape.

    Read it Here

  • UN80 Explainer

    By John Norris | July 2025

    This explainer breaks down the key elements of the UN80 initiative and explores what they could mean for the future of multilateralism. Launched in March 2025, UN80 represents a major reform and restructuring effort by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres – and one that comes with major implications for budget and staffing levels across the entire UN family. While we all want a UN that's more agile and effective in today's rapidly evolving world, the way we approach these reforms—and the diplomatic conversations surrounding them—may be just as critical as the proposals themselves.

    Read the UN80 Explainer

  • Shifting Sands of Multilateralism: Change in a New International Order

    By John Norris | June 2025

    While many fear the demise of global cooperation amid U.S. withdrawal from key institutions and rising tensions, John Norris suggests that multilateralism is not dying but instead undergoing a profound transformation. He examines how nations are forging new alliances and mechanisms for cooperation—from the historic EU-Mercosur trade pact to the WHO pandemic treaty achieved without U.S. participation—with the Global South playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping a new era of international engagement.

    Read the full report
Screenshot of a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace webpage featuring an article titled "A UN Expert on the Institution’s Successes, Failures, and Continued Relevance" with Minh-Thu Pham. Background shows the UN General Assembly Hall.
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Promotional graphic for "The Tavis Smiley Podcast" featuring Minh-Thu Pham, with black and white photos of both individuals, and a "Click to Listen" button.
Split-screen of a video conference with one person on the left and a United Nations meeting on the right. Participants are seated around a table with nameplates, including "United States" and "Albania." One person raises a hand. Al Jazeera logo and v
American flag draped over scaffolding near the U.S. Capitol, surrounded by smaller flags and a sign. Article headline from The Washington Post reads: "Why many immigrants believe the 'big lie' — and will again" by Minh-Thu Pham.
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