United Nations Transformation: Reimagining Peace, Refugee Protection, and Global Responsibility

Eighty years after the creation of the United Nations, the international system faces growing pressure to demonstrate that it can prevent and resolve conflict, uphold international law, protect people from persecution, and deliver meaningful international cooperation. With forced displacement at exceptionally high levels, humanitarian needs rising, and access to asylum increasingly restricted, this high-level dialogue will examine the political, legal, operational, and financial changes needed to strengthen the international refugee protection system.

The high level dialogue will bring together UNHCR, governments, regional institutions, and refugee leaders and experts to consider the future of refugee protection and durable solutions. It will explore the implementation of the Refugee Convention, the opportunities and risks of route-based approaches, the future role of UNHCR, and what will be required to achieve the High Commissioner’s goal of reducing protracted displacement and reliance on humanitarian assistance by 50 percent by 2035—while safeguarding rights and expanding protection, inclusion, self-reliance, and genuine pathways toward lasting solutions.

Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: The Harvard Club, NYC

Speakers:

Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Elma Saiz Delgado, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Spain

Martin Bille Hermann, Deputy Political Director and Managing Director for Multilateral

Relations, Human Rights and Democracy, European External Action Service (EEAS)

Osama Salem, Expert on Refugee Protection

• Moderator: Arwa Damon, Award winning former CNN Senior Correspondent / INARA founder / Atlantic Council Senior non-resident Fellow

Updated Agenda:

4:30 pm‍ ‍‍ Doors Open

5:00 pm‍ ‍‍ Panel Conversation

6:00 pm‍ ‍Reception