At a time of mounting geopolitical tensions, intensifying global crises, and growing scepticism towards multilateral cooperation, the role of international organisations is under renewed scrutiny. Yet in an increasingly fragmented world, these institutions remain indispensable platforms for dialogue, coordination, and collective action.
In this edition of the Director’s Global Leadership Series, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and an alumnus of the Geneva Graduate Institute, will reflect on the critical importance of multilateral organisations and the leadership required to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Drawing on his experience at the helm of one of the world’s most consequential international organisations, Mr Grossi will explore how multilateral institutions can adapt and respond to today’s complex challenges—from political instability and rising interstate tensions to multidimensional security threats that transcend national borders. He will also discuss the indispensable role of international civil servants and diplomatic leaders as trusted brokers, capable of creating space for dialogue, rebuilding confidence, and advancing cooperation even amid deep divisions.
This conversation will offer participants an opportunity to engage with pressing questions about the future of multilateralism and the qualities of leadership needed to sustain and strengthen international cooperation in an era of uncertainty.
Welcome:
- Marie-Laure Salles, Director, Geneva Graduate Institute
Presentation:
- Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Conversation:
- Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Grégoire Mallard, Director of Research and Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Geneva Graduate Institute
This event is part of the Director’s Global Leadership Series, which features leading global decision-makers, from heads of international organisations to senior government and business leaders, sharing insights on today’s most pressing international challenges.