INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – United Nations Reforms for the Changing World

Foundation for Critical Choices for India, The Netherlands, is organising, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE United Nations Reforms for the Changing World  with Special Focus on United Nations Security Council. Venue: Kasteel de Wittenburg, Landgoed de Wittenburg 1,2244 BV, Wassenaar, The Netherlands.

 

Event Date: 3rd May 2023

 

For registration: Please click here

 

Information

Background & Themes

The United Nations (UN) is a 77 year-old world organisation representing 193 Member States. In today’s world, the UN intends to act on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century. Such issues are a) maintaining international peace & security, b) protecting human rights, c) delivering humanitarian aid, d) promoting sustainable development, and e) upholding international law. In today's highly multipolar, nationalistic, globalised world, the UN is facing critical issues such as a) power imbalance, b) non-equitable representation of member states, c) lack of democratic principles in decision-making and d) dependency of the UN for funds on its member states. Several new global challenges are emerging (especially in relation to peace & security) that require co-ordinated actions. Thus, the incremental structural reforms at both UN and UNSC levels are vital for building reconciliation amongst the member states to make these institutions more relevant and effective.   

We, (FCCI) have conducted a systematic study through several brainstorming sessions, and through a legitimate literature survey came up with some new suggestions in terms of framework guidelines dealing with mechanisms to empowering the UN through its ‘One World’ approach of collective governance. A special focus is given to UNSC reforms. Here, The Foundation (FCCI) has come up with several innovative inclusive guidelines to make UNSC more equitable representation and impart democratic principles in decision-making. Additionally, a mechanism has been proposed for making the UN financially independent for its effective global governance.

 The main aim of this international conference is to present our findings, exchange views, and openly discuss much-needed UN reforms with the representatives of several UN member states, representatives from veto-holding nations, G-4, G-20, C-10 nations, EU, and other stakeholders. This international conference is the first major step to push further UN reforms without any biased approach and start the challenging journey to build consensus amongst the UN member states.

 The program will be highly interactive and includes speakers and panellists from different backgrounds such as experts on UN affairs, diplomats, representatives from the corporate world & experts on international law. 

 

Program

 

Time

Program – Inaugural Session

11.30-12.00

Registration/ Meet & Greet (Tea-Coffee)

12.05-12.07

Specific instructions by the Master of Ceremony

12.07-12.15

Opening and welcome address by Mr. Jasbir Singh, President FCCI.

12.15-12.30

Theme presentation, “United Nations reforms for the changing world order”, by Mr. Ram Lakhina, President Emeritus, FCCI & Former Chairman of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International).

12.30-12.45

FCCI Vision on, “UN reforms - with special focus on United Nations Security Council”, by Dr. Pramod Agrawal, Vice President Programs, FCCI.

12.45-13.00

Inaugural address by a representative of UN as chief guest [TBC]

13.00-14.00

Lunch Break

Time

Part I: Panel Discussion / Q&A session on ‘UN reforms for the changing world order’: Moderated by Mr. Jasbir Singh, President FCCI

14.00-15.15

Panellists are selected representatives from UN member states from each continent, corporate world, experts in international law and selected FCCI trustees.

  1. H.E. Mrs. Reenat Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  2. H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto Caminha de Castilhos França, Ambassador of Brazil to the Netherlands.
  3. H.E. Mr. Vusi Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa to the Netherlands.  
  4. Mr. Grigory Orlov, Minister-Counsellor, and charge d’affaires of the Russian Embassy to the Netherlands.
  5. H.E. Mr. Jamal Al Musharakh, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Netherlands.
  6. H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia to the Netherlands.
  7. Mrs. Edith Nordmann, Attorney-at-Law, member of B20 (official G20 dialogue forum) & the Chairman of NICCT, the Netherlands.
  8. Mr. Ram Lakhina, President Emeritus, FCCI & Former Chairman of Global organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International).

 

15.15-15.30

Short break – Soft Drinks/Tea-Coffee

Time

Part II: Panel Discussion / Q&A session on ‘UN reforms for the changing world order’: Moderated by Mr. Harjit Sandhu, Former Coordinator UN Security Council Panels of Experts, & Director of International affairs, FCCI

15.30-16.45

Panellists are selected representatives from UN member states from each continent, corporate world, experts in international law and selected FCCI trustees.

  1. H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen to the Netherlands.
  2. H.E. Mr. Rajendre Khargi, Ambassador of the Republic Suriname to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
  3. H.E. Mr. Roberto Calzadilla Sarmiento, Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  4. H.E. Mr. Gamaliel Nkuruziza, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the Netherlands.
  5. H.E. Mrs. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria to the Netherlands.
  6. H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands. [TBC]
  7. H.E. Mr. Ron Keller, International expert on Geopolitics, Finance, Trade, and Investment. Ex Ambassador of the Netherlands to China, Russia, Ukraine, & Turkey.
  8. Mr. Sudip Lahiri, Executive Vice President & Head - Europe, Financial Services at HCL Technologies.
  9. Dr. Pramod Agrawal, Vice President Programs, FCCI

 

16.45-17.00

Closing remarks & Vote of thanks by Drs. Badri Madan, former President FCCI.

17.00-17.30

Networking Drinks/Snacks

 

 

Information

  • Masters of Ceremony: Ms. Suman Korenhorf-Taneja & Ms. Sonia Sodhi
  • Liaison Officer: Mr. Dave Gurnani, Vice President-Finance, FCCI
  • Seminar Reporter: Ms. Adv. Pranita Deshpande, Director of Publication FCCI.
  • Conference Logistics: Mr. Glenn Marapin, Director-events, FCCI

 A livestream broadcast will be facilitated through YouTube and Facebook page of FCCI.

Contact Details

  • For the conference programme: Dr. Pramod Agrawal, Vice President FCCI: ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )/+31649311325)
  • For registration related questions: Ms. Sonia Sodhi, Director of Digital Platforms ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. );
  • For networking queries: Ms. Suman Korenhof – Taneja, Director PR ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. );
  • For general contact and any other queries: Dr. Yamini J. Singh, Secretary general ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
  • More information about the Foundation is available at www.fcci.nl
  • You are interested to become a trustee of the Foundation (FCCI), please contact the Secretary General or the Vice President-FCCI. 

 

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Contact us

FCCI Secretary General:
Dr. Yamini J. Singh

  • Tel: +31 (0) 6 19 35 70 11

 

Address

Marktplein 23
2132 DA Hoofddorp
The Netherlands