Investing in a New Multilateralism: A Smart Approach to the United Nations

May 11 – 12, 2009

The CSIS Smart Power Initiative hosted: Investing in a New Multilateralism: A Smart Power Approach to the United Nations.

Featured Speaker: Ambassador John Negroponte
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations


Commentary by: The Honorable Timothy E. Wirth
President, United Nations Foundation

Chaired by: Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman
Senior Associate, Americas Program


Ambassador Negroponte and Senator Wirth discussed future opportunities and obstacles for revitalizing U.S. engagement with the United Nations.

The Smart Power Initiative features policymakers, practitioners and opinion leaders from around the world and across the political spectrum to engage in a discussion on U.S. Smart Power.  The Initiative is an outgrowth of the CSIS Commission on Smart Power.

Investing in a New Multilateralism is a recently published CSIS report that focuses on the United Nations' value to the U.S. as a multilateral Smart Power tool.  The report identifies and assesses key areas where, with leadership, commitment, and cooperation, the United States can work with the United Nations and other members of the international community to break through the obstacles to collaboration with the United Nations by the new U.S. administration in the areas of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, global health, and climate change, plus managing humanitarian operations. To learn more and view the report visit here .