Event Registration: East River Dialogues on Effective Multilateralism

Monday, March 30, 2026 | 1:15-2:45 PM, UN Headquarters New York, Delegates Dining Rooms 1-3, 4th Floor 

While a handful of individuals see their net worth hit escape velocity, the international community has failed to eradicate poverty, and societies are buckling under the weight of inequality. This isn't an accident – it’s a design flaw. From the way we tax capital to how we govern international trade, the current rules are accelerating a divide within and between states that threatens global stability. Addressing inequality is therefore not only an economic imperative but also a central question for the future legitimacy and effectiveness of the multilateral system.

In this context, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is pleased to invite you to an exclusive luncheon with Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz on “Eight Billion or the Few: Multilateral Responses to Inequality and Wealth Concentration” as part of our East River Dialogues on Effective Multilateralism series. This event brings together Ambassadors, senior officials, and thought leaders for candid exchanges on the future of global cooperation. The discussion will explore how growing inequalities are reshaping the global economy and what reforms may be needed to ensure that multilateral institutions are able to deliver more inclusive and sustainable development. This session will feature:

Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics, University Professor at Columbia University, and former Chief Economist of the World Bank; he recently led the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, which examined the drivers and consequences of rising inequality and proposed reforms to the global economic architecture.

Comment by:

• Shari Spiegel, Director of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

Moderated by:

• Heike Buchter, U.S. economic correspondent for DIE ZEIT

   

The event takes place at the UN Headquarters, New York, Delegates Dining Rooms 1–3, 4th Floor, on March 30, 2026, from 1:15–2:45 PM. Please note that this is a personal and non-transferable invitation – attendance is by invitation only. Space is limited and participation will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. A three-course lunch will be served.

Should you NOT be in possession of a valid UN pass, kindly contact us, as this is a mandatory requirement for attending the event.